Director of Operations

Director of Operations National Association of Career Colleges (NACC) Location: Ottawa or Toronto (hybrid); other locations in Canada considered Employment Type: Full-time, Permanent About NACC The National Association of Career Colleges (NACC) is the national voice of regulated career colleges across Canada. Our mission is to support high-quality, student-focused career education through leadership, advocacy, professional development, and collaboration with members and stakeholders across the country. To support our continued growth and operational excellence, NACC is seeking an experienced and strategic Director of Operations to join our leadership team. Position Overview The Director of Operations is responsible for leading the daily operations of NACC and ensuring that organizational processes are efficient, effective, and aligned with strategic priorities. This senior role provides hands-on operational leadership across departments, supporting the successful delivery of programs, services, and initiatives for members nationwide. Working closely with the CEO, Director of Finance, and Director of Education, the Director of Operations ensures that NACC’s operational and administrative functions fully support the association’s mandate, performance standards, and long-term goals. The ideal candidate is a results-driven leader with strong operational insight, exceptional organizational skills, and proven experience optimizing systems and processes. Key Responsibilities 1. Operational Oversight Lead and manage all operational aspects of NACC, including programs, services, administrative functions, and internal systems. Ensure daily operations run smoothly and evolve in step with member needs and sector priorities. 2. Strategic Implementation Translate NACC’s Strategic Plan into actionable operational plans and drive execution across departments. Lead the optimization of strategies, systems, processes, and workflows across education, marketing, sales, government relations, and stakeholder engagement. 3. Performance Management Oversee performance management systems to monitor operational efficiency and outcomes. Establish and track key performance indicators (KPIs) to assess progress and identify opportunities for improvement. 4. Team Leadership Build, mentor, and lead high-performing teams across multiple operational functions. Foster a collaborative culture focused on excellence, accountability, service, and continuous improvement. Provide leadership and guidance to direct reports and cross-functional teams. 5. Budget & Fiscal Management Collaborate with the Director of Finance and CEO on development of the annual operational budget. Monitor and manage budget execution, ensuring responsible stewardship of financial resources. Implement strategies to scale operations, improve efficiency, enhance profitability, and reduce costs where appropriate. 6. External Relations Represent NACC at external meetings, industry events, and stakeholder engagements. Build and maintain strong relationships with members, partners, vendors, and industry organizations. 7. Compliance Ensure compliance with legislation, regulatory requirements, accreditation standards, and ethical guidelines. Maintain and strengthen operational policies and procedures consistent with industry best practices. 8. Continuous Improvement Lead continuous quality improvement initiatives across NACC. Identify operational risks and opportunities for innovation, growth, and improved processes. Work closely with the CEO to support organizational growth, stability, and long-term strategy. 9. Data Analysis & Reporting Analyze operational data to provide insights and recommendations for performance optimization. Prepare regular reports for the CEO and contribute to reporting for the Board of Directors. Use data-based insights to support informed decision-making across the organization. Qualifications Education & Experience Degree or diploma from a recognized post-secondary institution, including regulated career colleges. 7+ years of progressive leadership experience in operations, project management, or organizational administration—preferably within an association, educational organization, non-profit, or similar environment. Demonstrated experience optimizing organizational systems, processes, and workflows. Experience managing budgets, teams, and cross-departmental initiatives. Skills & Competencies Strong operational and strategic thinking abilities. Excellent organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills. Effective communicator with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders. Leadership style rooted in collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement. Strong financial acumen and comfort working with budgets, KPIs, and data-driven decisions. Assets Experience in the post-secondary education sector or member-based organizations. Understanding of government relations or policy environments. Bilingualism (English/French) is a strong asset. What We Offer A national leadership role with meaningful impact on Canada’s skills and training ecosystem. A collaborative and mission-driven team environment. Competitive compensation and benefits package. Flexible, hybrid work arrangements. How to Apply Please submit your resume and a cover letter outlining your interest and relevant experience to: careers@nacc.ca Subject line: “Director of Operations – Application.” Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. NACC’s Commitment to Equity & Inclusion NACC is committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and barrier-free environment. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds and will provide accommodations throughout the recruitment process upon request.