Chief Operating Officer

Job description:

Position: Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Location: Toronto, ON and Montreal, QB

Position Summary:

Garden River First Nation Education Unit seeks professionals who embody our values. We seek those who recognize that first and foremost, we are stewards of the school. We are purposeful about the decisions we make, always mindful that decisions must reflect the strategy and the priorities of the organization. We strive to balance the art and science of investing using tools and technology to enhance decision-making. We value technology in our process but know that it is most effective when combined with human judgment and eye towards assessing how we expect markets and processes to evolve over time. We are intellectually honest, holding ourselves and others to account so that we make the best decisions for long-term outperformance. Finally, we are a team. A team that shares responsibility for the inputs and outputs of our process. We believe strongly in collaboration and effective communications as requirements for success.

We value independent thinkers who approach situations holistically with an eye towards efficiency without sacrificing quality and rigor. Because we are a forward-thinking organization, we value intellectual curiosity and those who invite challenge and engaging discussion. Garden River First Nation Education Unit environment is one in which staff members are expected to develop professionally, share openly, and that enjoy collaborating.

The COO reports to the President and Chief Executive Officer and together they set the strategy for managing the operations of Garden River First Nation Education Unit to ensure that the organization is best positioned to achieve its risk-adjusted return objectives. The COO is responsible for managing the overall operations of the Garden River which include, infrastructure, operational controls, performance measurement, and risk management. Concurrently, the COO and the Operations team is charged with ensuring the school team maintains proper controls, understands risk, and remains in compliance with all regulations and practices.

Responsibilities:

-Designs and implements business strategies to help drive the organization forward

-Establishes, evaluates, and enhances operational effectiveness including operational compliance and controls.

-Monitors changes in the portfolio's risk profile and investigating material shifts in risk.

-Manages relationships with third-party providers including but not limited to the school custodian and the data management provider to ensure appropriate entries are made in accounting and performance measurement systems.

-Manages operational due diligence, contracts and collects and executes all relevant documents.

-Oversees and refines performance measurement and risk management systems

-Develops and enhances reporting tools to facilitate investment management and asset allocation selection process

-Collaborates with the Chief Technology Officer to implement information technology solutions and tools that support both operations and investment decision-making.

-Works closely with the Finance Department at the school with the annual audit, budgeting, and rating agency reporting. Liaise with the Controller's Office, Office of the Treasurer, Internal Audit, and Office of Budget and Management.

-Manages and develops investment operations team.

-Provides leadership, guidance, and support to enhance talent.

-Other related responsibilities as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

-Bachelor's degree and a minimum of 10 years related experience required.

Preferred Qualifications:

-Advanced degree strongly desirable.

-Extensive working knowledge and demonstrated progressive experience of at least 15 years in investment or education operations with a focus on endowment management, asset management, finance, or related areas strongly preferred.

-Operations, accounting, audit, risk management, or database development and programming experience in an investment or trading operation is preferred.

Other Requirements:

-Excellent interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills are required to effectively communicate and adapt their style with a variety of stakeholders and audiences.

-Must be detail-oriented and with proven spreadsheet and analytical skills.

-In addition, strong critical thinking skills, a high degree of intellectual curiosity, and a desire to take on greater responsibilities and serve as an integral member of the leadership team are all required.

-Demonstrated success in working autonomously and collaboratively in a demanding environment required.

-Must have the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously and meet deadlines for short, long, and ad-hoc assignments.

A clear understanding of the use of technology to investment operations and an appreciation for the role that it plays in investment decision making, improved efficiency and clear17c reporting.

-High level of comfort with reading, producing, interpreting, and explaining complex financial reporting documents.

-Strong quantitative mindset including well-developed spreadsheet and analytical skills.

-Demonstrated track record leading and managing a high-performing team.

Salary: $350k-$400k A year

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Garden River First Nation Education Unit is committed to the hiring of qualified residents.