Director, Business Development

Who We Are

The Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology (CSEP) is a national not-for-profit organization and the principal body for physical activity, health and fitness research and personal training in Canada.

• Our mission: To champion excellence in the application, certification and advancement of evidence-informed exercise science research and practice.
• Our vision: The health, fitness and athletic performance of all Canadians is optimized through the science of exercise.

Title

Director Business Development

Reports to

Executive Director

Location

Ottawa (Hybrid)

Type

Full Time

Who You Are

The Director, Business Development is a strategic leadership position responsible for advancing
CSEP’s organizational growth, partnerships, funding opportunities, strategic initiatives, and business
development activities.
Reporting to the Executive Director, the Director leads the identification, development, negotiation,
implementation, and ongoing management of strategic partnerships and business relationships that
support CSEP’s mission, strategic plan, financial sustainability, member value, and national profile.
The Director leads CSEP’s efforts to identify and secure diversified funding opportunities, including
grants, strategic partnerships, sponsorships, and other revenue-generating opportunities. The role is
responsible for building relationships with government agencies, foundations, corporations,
academic institutions, and other organizations to develop opportunities that advance CSEP’s
strategic priorities.
The Director also leads or supports the development and implementation of Memoranda of
Understanding (MOUs), partnership agreements, funding agreements, and other strategic
arrangements. The role ensures that partnerships and initiatives have clearly defined objectives,
deliverables, timelines, financial considerations, and measures of success.
The Director works across the organization to translate strategic priorities into actionable initiatives
and operational plans. The role provides strategic oversight of organizational analytics, business
intelligence, planning, and performance reporting, using financial, membership, program,
partnership, and operational data to identify trends, assess opportunities, inform decision-making,
and support recommendations to the Executive Director and Board.
As part of CSEP’s financial governance structure, the Director serves as an authorized signatory for
financial transactions, in accordance with CSEP’s approved signing authorities, policies, budgets, and
financial controls; while also overseeing events and marketing/communications to ensure that there
is organizational alignment and support.
The successful candidate will be a strategic thinker, relationship builder, and strong business leader
who can move effectively between strategy and execution, identify and develop opportunities, build
trusted partnerships, secure external funding, manage complex initiatives, and help position CSEP
for long-term growth and sustainability.

Primary Responsibilities

The Director works across the organization to translate strategic priorities into actionable initiatives
and operational plans, ensuring appropriate alignment of resources, timelines, responsibilities, and
desired outcomes. The role also provides organizational analytics and business intelligence to
support evidence-informed decision-making by the Executive Director, Leadership Team, and
Board.
The Director serves as an authorized signatory for financial transactions, within delegated authority
and in accordance with CSEP’s approved signing authorities, financial policies, budgets, and internal
controls.

Business Development, Partnerships & Revenue Growth

• Develop and implement CSEP’s business development strategy in alignment with the organization’s strategic plan.
• Identify and evaluate opportunities that strengthen CSEP’s financial sustainability, member value, reputation, reach, and impact.
• Develop a diversified revenue strategy, beyond membership dues that includes strategic partnerships, sponsorships, grants, programs, services, licensing opportunities, and other revenue-generating activities aligned with CSEP’s mandate.
• Build and maintain relationships with corporations, government organizations, academic institutions, foundations, health and fitness organizations, professional organizations, and other strategic stakeholders.
• Develop business cases, proposals, presentations, and recommendations for new business opportunities, initiatives and grants.
• Assess the strategic, operatio