Lead, Business Operations

Save the Children Canada

$98K — $116K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Post-secondary education in a relevant field or equivalent experience.
  • 5-7 years of management experience in International Development or NGOs; people management in a unionized environment preferred.
  • Demonstrated project management experience with strong financial management skills and advanced MS Excel proficiency.
  • Experience leading change management with knowledge of relevant tools and processes.
  • Strong strategic thinking ability to foster innovative partnerships for child and family benefits.
  • Preferred experience in child rights programming related to Health, Education, Child Protection, or Gender Equality.
  • Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills across cultural and organizational lines; French is a plus.

Responsibilities

  • Identify opportunities to enhance operational efficiency utilizing technology.
  • Design and implement standardized business processes across teams and departments.
  • Develop and monitor performance indicators and dashboards for organizational objectives.
  • Support annual planning in alignment with Save the Children International and Member Offices.
  • Act as the organizational Safeguarding focal point for training and reporting.
  • Analyze operational data to assess trends, risks, and opportunities for the organization.
  • Oversee various operational functions such as facilities and business travel.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive benefits package for employees and dependents after three months.
  • Hybrid workplace with flexible hours to promote work-life balance.
  • 4 weeks of annual paid vacation plus office closure during year-end holidays.
  • 5 paid personal days and 3 paid float days.
  • 10 paid sick leave days and parental leave top-up.
  • Employer contributions to a group pension plan with home savings options.
  • Access to learning, development opportunities, and specialized training.
  • Confidential Employee Assistance Program for employees and dependents from day one.
  • Organization-wide membership to Headspace for mental wellness.
Full Job Description
Save the Children Canada is a hybrid workplace based in Toronto Ontario Canada. This recruitment is open to all applicants residing in Ontario.

THE IMPACT YOU WILL MAKE:

Reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer, the Lead, Business Operations (LBO) provides day-to-day leadership to the Business Operations Team, including close collaboration with Finance and External Engagement departments. The LBO is also responsible for driving organizational effectiveness by supporting the development and execution of organization-wide business strategies that strengthen operational performance and overall impact, including overseeing Award Management. The role provides strategic analysis, leadership, performance monitoring, and change management support to advance organizational objectives.

Responsibilities include (but are not limited to):

Business Operations and Performance:
  • Identify opportunities for improved operational efficiency and effectiveness, including through the use of technology.
  • Work across teams and departments to identify, design and implement standardized business processes and operating procedures.
  • Develop and monitor organizational performance indicators and dashboards.
  • Support organizational planning, including annual planning, ensuring alignment with SCI and/or other Member Offices as relevant.
  • Serve as the organizational Safeguarding focal point for reporting and training.
  • Analyze operational data to identify trends, risks, and opportunities for the organization.
  • Other organizational operational duties as assigned including oversight of facilities, business travel, and office administration oversight and escalations.

Award Management Leadership:
  • Accountable for overseeing award management including compliance to global standards, portfolio financial management, award contracting, operating procedures and donor compliance. Track and develop team budgets, workplans and contribute to operating plans.
  • Build and maintain relationships with Global Affairs Canada and Save the Children International (SCI) and SC Members.
  • Accountable for ensuring data quality in Awards Management Systems (AMS) and other financial systems, ensuring regular updates are maintained by Award Managers.
  • Work across teams and departments to ensure timely delivery or donor compliance requirements, maintaining current revenue, upholding organization credibility, and securing future funding.
  • Conduct quarterly reviews to analyze award issues, budget variances, developing risk mitigation strategies, and supporting issue resolution.
  • Provide both guidance and support on risk management, partnership building (including with institutional and non-institutional donors, and contract negotiations.

Strategic Planning and Execution:
  • Support the development and implementation of annual and strategic planning, including the development and monitoring of performance dashboards.
  • Monitor progress against strategic objectives and recommend corrective action where required.
  • Prepare strategic analyses, presentations, and recommendations for senior leadership.
  • Contribute to the implementation of the Revenue Strategy including cost share obligations.

People Management:
  • Lead assigned team/department providing strategic direction, coaching, change management and performance management while ensuring alignment with organizational values and policies.
  • Set clear team and individual performance expectations for productivity, quality, and success; providing direction and support as needed.
  • Collaborate with leaders across the organization through active participation in SCC's Leadership Team.
  • Oversee budget management, recruitment, change management and career development while ensuring compliance, fostering a respectful, values-driven culture, and maintaining a safe and inclusive workplace
  • Ensure regular and transparent communication on strategy and policies, uphold SCC's Code of Conduct, Policies, Leadership Charter, Reconciliation, Equity, Anti-Racism, Diversity, Inclusion (READI), Health and Safety standards, integrates Child Safeguarding practices, models competencies, and professional and ethical behavior.

Qualifications include (but are not limited to):
  • Post secondary education in a relevant field or equivalent experience.
  • Minimum 5-7 years of management experience in International Development, Non-Governmental Organization (NGO/INGO), or other not-for-profit sectors is required. People management experience in a unionized environment is preferred
  • Demonstrated project management experience including project financial management. Strong financial management and analysis skills, with intermediate to advanced level expertise in MS Excel. Ability to work within tight deadlines and time pressures.
  • Experience leading change management, including knowledge of related tools and processes and the ability to plan, execute, and monitor change management across teams.
  • Strategic-minded, and keen to think outside the box to secure innovative and exciting partnerships that deliver real benefits for children and families.
  • Experience development and leading cross-organization initiatives, including strategy monitoring is strongly preferred
  • Experience with child rights programming in areas of Health, Education, Child Protection, Gender Equality, and/or Livelihoods is strongly preferred
  • Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills for building strong working relationships across cultural and organizational settings, both internally and externally. French is an asset.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to create new processes, with demonstrated change management expertise to lead successful implementation
  • Apply judgment and make sound decisions that are accountable, justifiable, and in adherence to organizational policies.
  • Ability to occasionally travel locally, nationally and internationally (less than 10%) as required.

WHAT WE OFFER

The salary range for this position is non-union pay band 8 between $98,594.73 - $116,449.57 CAD depending on skills and experience. In addition to this, our employees will have the following package of additional benefits:
  • Comprehensive benefits package for you and your dependents available three months after employment start date. Coordinated benefits for your partner paid by Save the Children Canada.
  • Hybrid workplace including opportunities to work remotely and flexible work hours to support employee wellbeing and work life balance.
  • 4 weeks of annual paid vacation.
  • In addition to annual leave, we offer an end of year office closure December 25- January 1 (SAVE Days) so we can all recharge simultaneously.
  • 5 paid personal days.
  • 3 paid float days.
  • 10 paid sick leave days.
  • Parental leave top-up.
  • Employer contributions to group pension plan. Access to help save for a first home through the pension provider.
  • Learning and development opportunities and specialized training including professional development time.
  • Confidential Employee Assistance Program services available to you and your dependents from your first day of employment.
  • Organization-wide membership access to Headspace.

HOW TO APPLY?

If you are interested in this position, please visit the career page at https://www.savethechildren.ca/ and submit your resume and cover letter by 5:00 pm EST August 31, 2026. Internal candidates, please apply via ADP by 5:00 pm EST August 24, 2026. Applications will be reviewed on ongoing basis. We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Please note that AI is used in some components of the recruitment process.

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