Director, Strategy

KEV Group; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational technology company in Toronto seeks a Director, Strategy & Business Operations. This role involves driving the strategic planning process, managing cross-functional initiatives, and ensuring operational excellence. The ideal candidate has over 7 years of experience in business operations, strong data analysis skills, and a collaborative mindset. Join a company committed to making a real difference in education through technology.

Benefits

Competitive compensation

Professional development

Flexible PTO

Hybrid work environment

Office perks

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in business operations, management consulting, or similar role.
• Proven success in leading strategic planning and cross-functional initiatives.
• Strong data analysis and reporting skills.

Responsibilities

• Drive execution of cross-functional strategic programs.
• Facilitate development of company-wide Objectives and Key Results (OKRs).
• Continuously evaluate and optimize company operations.

Skills

Business operations

Strategic planning

Data analysis

Cross-functional leadership

Project management

Executive communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

MBA preferred

Job description

Overview

Who We Are :

At KEV, we help school districts eliminate the school finance blind spot. Our platform gives district finance teams real-time visibility and traceability into every dollar collected at the school level; whether it's cash, check, or digital. From field trips to fundraisers, we help them manage every dollar with confidence. More than 26,000 schools across North America trust KEV to manage over $4 billion annually. By unifying payments, accounting, and reporting, KEV simplifies life for bookkeepers, builds trust with parents, and gives finance leaders the oversight their current systems cannot. It's how we help schools stay compliant, reduce risk, and focus on what matters most, student success.

Backed by Five Arrows, the PE arm of Rothschild & Co., KEV is investing more than ever to support K–12 in a world of tighter budgets, rising scrutiny, and fast-changing tech. We're headquartered in Toronto, with offices across North America.

If you're excited by the idea of building tech that protects schools, empowers finance teams, and improves education through better systems, KEV is the place for you.

Why Join KEV?

• Work in an industry that benefits children, parents and schools
• Do meaningful and purpose-driven work, and make a real impact
• Join a quickly growing organization with real opportunity for learning and growth
• Passionate and accessible leadership team that cares about people, personally and professionally
• Hybrid work environment (3 days a week in either our North York or Cambridge office)

Job Description

We are seeking a dynamic and strategic Director, Strategy & Business Operations to join our team. Reporting directly to the COO, this individual will be instrumental in driving focus, accountability, and operational excellence across the company. This role blends strategic planning, operational rigor, and cross-functional leadership to ensure the company executes effectively on its growth ambitions. The ideal candidate is a highly organized and collaborative professional who excels at taking initiative, with a proven ability to align executive leadership around key priorities, lead complex cross-functional initiatives, and create systems that empower teams to achieve their goals.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Planning & OKR Management
• Facilitate the development of company-wide Objectives and Key Results (OKRs) that align with strategic priorities and ensure accountability for results.
• Create and maintain a streamlined process for setting, tracking, and reporting on OKRs at the executive and company levels.
• Partner with executive leadership to ensure goals are well-defined, measurable, and achievable, providing the tools and insights needed to track progress effectively.
• Regularly report progress against OKRs to leadership and the entire organization, fostering transparency and alignment.
• Cross-Functional Program Leadership
• Drive execution of select high-impact, cross-functional strategic programs on behalf of the COO, such as post-acquisition integration or other critical initiatives
• Build and lead cross-functional project teams, ensuring clarity of outcomes, milestones are achieved, and stakeholders remain aligned
• Identify risks and roadblocks, proactively proposing solutions to keep programs on track and achieve intended outcomes
• Goal Alignment & Employee Engagement
• Collaborate with the People and Culture team to develop and implement a scalable methodology for employee goal setting that maps to team and company objectives
• Provide training and tools to managers and employees to align individual goals with broader organizational priorities
• Foster a culture of accountability and continuous improvement by ensuring that goal-setting and performance measurement processes are integrated into the company's operating rhythm
• Ensure systems and tools for tracking progress against individual, team, and company goals are effective and user-friendly
• Operational Excellence
• Continuously evaluate and optimize company operations to drive efficiency, scalability, and alignment with strategic priorities
• Partner with FP&A to support leadership in analyzing business performance, identifying gaps, and implementing solutions to achieve operational goals
• Build lightweight, repeatable frameworks and processes that streamline communication and decision-making across the organization.

Skills and Experience

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience required; MBA preferred
• 7+ years of experience in business operations, management consulting, program / project management, or a similar role
• Experience in technology organizations is a strong plus
• Proven success in leading strategic planning, cross-functional initiatives, and executive-level communications
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and drive results in complex, highly dynamic, fast-paced environments
• Strong data analysis and reporting skills, with a track record of using data to drive decision-making and measure success
• Expertise in managing large-scale projects, including planning, execution, and risk management.
• Previous experience working with OKR frameworks, goal-setting methodologies, and collaboration tools
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with an ability to engage effectively with stakeholders at all levels of the organization
• High emotional intelligence, collaborative mindset, and a passion for driving alignment and results in a team-oriented environment

Why You\'ll Love Working at KEV

• Make a real difference every day –

At KEV, your work supports children, parents, and schools across North America. We don't just build software, we create solutions that simplify lives and strengthen communities. Our mission is rooted in impact, and every team member plays a vital role in shaping the future of K-12 education.

• The KEV Way –

At KEV, you'll never feel stuck in the status quo. You'll be part of a team that's constantly questioning, improving, and innovating—always with one guiding focus : How does this help our schools and the students they serve? It's a culture that challenges you to do your best work while reminding you why it matters.

• Grow with us –

We're scaling fast, and so are our people. At KEV, you'll have real opportunities to learn, develop, and shape your career. Whether advancing in your role or exploring a new path, you'll be supported every step of the way.

• Work alongside excellence

You'll be part of a team with integrity who treat their colleagues with respect. who are accomplished but humble, collaborative but accountable. It's a place where you can do your best work while feeling supported and inspired by the people around you.

• Celebrate Community and Culture

At KEV, we connect, recognize, and celebrate our people. Join Club KEV for team-building fun, hear directly from customers in our Voice of Customer Series, stay aligned with Monthly Townhalls, and be inspired by the KEVite Awards, where top contributors are recognized by their peers.

What We Offer

• Competitive compensation
• Meaningful benefits
• Professional development –
• Hybrid model –
• Flexible PTO –
• Office perks –

Visit our website for more information and details about working at KEV.