Operations Lead, ScaleUP

Operations Lead, ScaleUP & Growth Programming Institute for Innovation & Entrepreneurship, Mount Royal University (MRU)
Type: Contract | Location: Calgary, AB (Hybrid: in-person + remote)
Reports to: Director, ScaleUP & Growth Programming

ABOUT THE INSTITUTE AND PROGRAMS
MRU’s Institute for Innovation & Entrepreneurship supports SMB growth across Western Canada through Growth Catalyst () strategy + leadership development for established SMEs) and ScaleUP () ScaleUP Week summit + year-round events and advisory). The Operations Lead is the operational backbone of MRU’s Growth Catalyst and ScaleUP portfolio. You will support the full portfolio of open-enrolment and custom offerings across Growth Catalyst and ScaleUP, including the flagship Growth Catalyst strategy program, the annual ScaleUP Week summit, the Learning Hub, live sessions, and all supporting communications, tools, and participant touch points. As new programs come online, you will play a central role in shaping and delivering these experiences.

Protect and evolve the “current best version” of the program—content, cadence, tools, and participant experience.
Lead a small delivery team (staff, students, and contractors) to deliver an “awesome, client-first” experience for founders, CEOs, presidents, and growth leaders across Western Canada.

Own operational planning and delivery for Growth Catalyst cohorts and the ScaleUP Summit, including schedules, run sheets, logistics, and milestones.
Coordinate hybrid, virtual, and in-person sessions—rooms, tech, catering, materials, and on-site execution.
Manage participant onboarding from acceptance through launch: learning agreements, sponsor letters, onboarding packages, pre-work, and access to tools (Learning Hub, WhatsApp, etc.).
Source and negotiate vendor quotes (venues, catering, and services), balancing cost and quality.
Manage the administrative cycle for contracts and invoices (faculty, advisors, contractors, venues), including appropriate coding and tracking.

2) Program Quality & Content Governance (20%)
Own the program calendar and critical path for Growth Catalyst cohorts and the ScaleUP Summit, aligning content, communications, and delivery milestones.
Lead the content planning and confirmation process to ensure operational governance and delivery readiness.
Ensure session plans, pre/post work, and templates are aligned, version-controlled, and finalized on time.
Coordinate with faculty and facilitators to confirm content 4–6 weeks in advance of delivery.
Maintain consistency across Learning Hub materials, slide decks, worksheets, and live delivery.
Client service management and CSM workflows
Event operations, facilities and catering
Monitor quality during and after each module; Manage the program delivery team, including three fractional roles: Program Coordinator (0.6 FTE), Design Lead, and student support (as-needed/hourly).
Provide day-to-day direction through stand-ups, coordination, and debriefs that keep priorities, risks, and timelines visible.
Support recruiting, onboarding, and performance feedback for team members and key contractors.

4) Ecosystem & Stakeholder Management (10%)
Advisors & Growth Navigator Network (GNN)
Strengthen relationships across the advisor network and communicate a clear, compelling value proposition for volunteer advisors.
Maintain an “on-call” bench to manage cancellations and last-minute needs.
Client Service Management (CSMs)
Support integration of MRU (and partner institution) students into Growth Catalyst through applied projects and work-integrated learning opportunities.
Coordinate with faculty to scope projects, match students with companies, and clarify expectations and logistics for all parties.

You thrive in fast-paced, multi-stakeholder environments where cohorts, events, content, and communications move in parallel. You can hold the big picture (program calendars, governance, and quality standards) while sweating the details (room setups, templates, comms, tools, and timelines).

Anticipates risks and prevents last-minute scrambles through thoughtful planning.
Leads by example: high standards, clear direction, and meaningful support for early-career staff.

You don’t need to be a developer, but you are at ease with project/team management and delivery platforms such as Monday.com, Thinkific/LMS tools, basic web/content systems (WordPress/Squarespace), engagement tools (Mailchimp, Typeform/Google Forms), and collaboration platforms (Google Workspace, Slack, WhatsApp, Zoom/Teams, Miro, DocuSign/Adobe).

Formal project management training (PMP, Agile, etc.) and experience working across both for-profit and not-for-profit/post-secondary contexts are strong assets.

You bring 5+ years of experience in operations, program management, project management, event production, or a similar role delivering complex programs end-to-end. Delivering multi-session programs or major events (leadership programs, accelerators, executive education, conferences, summits).
Working in a post-secondary, innovation, accelerator, or ecosystem-building context with founders and scaling companies.
Building and maintaining playbooks, SOPs, or operations manuals that improved quality, efficiency, and team autonomy.
You likely hold post-secondary education (or equivalent experience) in business, management, operations, project management, entrepreneurship, or a related field.

You live in Calgary or already plan to relocate, and you are open to hybrid work with regular weekly in-person days plus occasional travel across Western Canada (for cohorts, events, and production days). Familiarity with the innovation ecosystem and experience working with scaling companies are strong assets.

As Operations Lead, you will:
Shape how Growth Catalyst and ScaleUP are delivered by owning calendars, critical paths, and quality standards that define a world-class participant experience.
Work at the intersection of strategy, leadership development, and scale-up growth—supporting founders and leadership teams building the next generation of high-impact companies.
Build and refine systems, playbooks, and digital infrastructure that allow programs to scale across cohorts, cities, and years.
Lead and mentor a small, high-performing delivery team and help staff and students build real-world operations and production skills.

You’ll join a high-trust, high-impact team at MRU’s Institute for Innovation & Entrepreneurship, working alongside faculty, partners, and ecosystem leaders committed to evidence-based practice, practical impact, and supporting ambitious businesses. ca with the title “Operations Lead - job application”, that:
Shares an example of a process, playbook, or digital tool you implemented that significantly improved quality or efficiency.
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a multi-stage interview process that may include a practical exercise (e.g., reviewing or drafting a run sheet, critical path, or SOP).