Chief Operating Officer / Chief Financial Officer (COO / CFO)

Blue North Strategies; Guelph; On-site; CAD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading professional services agency is seeking a dynamic COO/CFO to oversee operational and financial leadership. This role emphasizes driving efficiency, strategic collaboration, and building a culture of performance. Ideal candidates will have over 10 years of leadership experience in a similar environment, demonstrating strong operational and financial skills.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in senior leadership roles.
• Experience in operations and finance within professional services.
• Strong understanding of project-based business models.

Responsibilities

• Lead operational functions and financial management.
• Establish KPIs for business health and team productivity.
• Manage budgeting, cash flow, and compliance.

Skills

Leadership

Financial Acumen

Operations Management

Communication

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Operations

Tools

Financial planning tools

Agency management systems

CRM systems

Job description

Position Summary

The COO / CFO will be responsible for the overall operational and financial leadership of Blue North. This role is ideal for a dynamic leader who thrives in entrepreneurial environments and understands the nuances of professional services. The ideal candidate will bring strong business discipline, cross-functional collaboration skills, and an ability to streamline operations while enabling growth.

This individual will partner closely with the President, who is primarily client-focused, to ensure that internal operations, delivery, and financial management run with clarity, precision, and consistency.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Leadership & Execution

• Lead and continuously improve the operational functions of the agency, from project delivery workflows to internal systems and resource management.
• Introduce scalable operational processes to drive efficiency, accountability, and visibility across the organization.
• Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) to monitor the health of the business, team productivity, and client satisfaction.
• Oversee internal systems, tools, and infrastructure (e.g., agency management, finance tools, CRM) to ensure they are effective and evolving with the companys needs.
• Drive cross-functional initiatives to improve service delivery, resource planning, and operational cost efficiency.
• Own the development and implementation of financial strategy in collaboration with the executive team.
• Manage financial planning, forecasting, and analysis to inform strategic decision-making and long-term growth.
• Provide regular, clear, and actionable reporting on financial performance and key metrics to the leadership team and shareholders.
• Oversee budgeting, accounting, cash flow management, and compliance in coordination with external accountants and financial partners.
• Lead financial risk assessment and mitigation activities.
• Drive pricing strategy, profitability analysis, and margin optimization across service lines.
• Directly lead the Finance function and Operations function; indirectly support broader operations across HR, and internal systems.
• Foster a culture of high performance, transparency, and shared accountability.
• Support hiring, onboarding, and performance development initiatives to ensure we attract and retain top talent aligned with Blue North values.

Strategic Collaboration

• Serve as a key thought partner to the President and Executive Team, contributing to the overall business strategy and leading the strategy / operational planning efforts.
• Support investment planning for new capabilities, offerings, or operational initiatives.
• Translate strategy into execution with clear prioritization and aligned team action.

Qualifications & Attributes

• 10+ years of experience in senior leadership roles spanning both operations and finance, preferably in a professional services firm or agency environment.
• Demonstrated success leading internal operations, financial planning, and business performance in a small or mid-sized company.
• Strong understanding of project-based business models, resource planning, and client services delivery.
• Adept at building and interpreting dashboards, KPIs, and operational metrics to drive decision-making.
• Strong business and financial acumen; comfortable owning both the P&L and operational delivery.
• Bachelors degree in Business, Finance, Operations, or related field. (CPA or accounting designation not required.)
• Experience with financial and operational tools and systems; ability to lead systems evolution but not tied to any one platform.
• Exceptional communication and leadership skills, with a collaborative, low-ego style.
• Comfortable in a player-coach role, rolling up your sleeves while leading at a strategic level.

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