Overview

POSITION: Full-Time, Permanent
REPORTS TO: Chief Executive Officer

ABOUT U SPORTS

U SPORTS is the national brand for university sports in Canada. Every year, over 15,500 student-athletes and 700 coaches vie for 23 national championships in 13 different sports. U SPORTS also provides high performance international opportunities at FISU Winter and Summer World University Games, World University Championships, University World Cups and various educational initiatives.

U SPORTS works in collaboration with 59 members and four conferences as well as the Canadian sport system and Corporate Canada on the growth and delivery of university sport to student-athletes across the country.

OBJECTIVE

The Chief Operating Officer is primarily responsible for ensuring that all governance and business functions across the organization are focused on achieving the long-term vision, strategy and growth of U SPORTS.

ROLE

The Chief Operating Officer works with the CEO to foster a high performance team environment that provides quality service delivery to its Membership, understands the unique student-athlete experience and embraces innovation. The individual works closely with all functions of the business to attract, recruit, develop and retain the people that will achieve strategic objectives and add value to all stakeholders and partners to which it is accountable.

The Chief Operating Officer functions as a member of the Senior Leadership team, oversees the Operations department and shares in the responsibility for the overall achievement of the U SPORTS Strategic Plan. The role operates with integrity and in accordance with U SPORTS policies.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

The key responsibilities fall within the following areas:

Governance and Leadership

  • Work as a strategic partner to the CEO to manage and maintain productive working relationships with the Board of Directors, Membership, partners, stakeholders and government agencies.
  • Oversight for AGM, Board of Directors meetings, communications, orientation of new Board members, all Standing Committees (Finance, Governance, Human Resources) and Operational Committees.
  • Ensure compliance with all U SPORTS General By-Law and Policies.
  • Lead the funding, application and reporting requirements compliance for the Sport Support Program (Sport Canada).
  • Conduct business with high communication and transparency.

Operations, Finance, Human Resources, Information Technology and Legal

  • Provide strategic leadership to ensure effective delivery of services and efficient office administration in a hybrid remote work environment.
  • Ensure U SPORTS operates with a sound financial plan and with processes, disciplines, and timely reporting to support stability, sustainability and future financial growth.
  • Work with the head of finance to develop budgets that support a multi-year business plan.
  • Lead the human resources function including recruitment, contracts, retention and evaluations; ensure staffing level and resources are in place to fulfill organizational initiatives.
  • Assess and lead the continuous improvement of all internal business processes, systems, tools and technology to meet the demands of a growing organization.
  • Implement and reinforce best practices and ensure they are being effectively utilized.
  • Have oversight of relationships with all external suppliers including lease, auditing, employee benefits, insurance, information technology and legal.
  • Develop (where required) and review all agreements and Memorandums of Understanding.
  • Advise on procedural matters relating to not-for-profit corporations and compliance with legal/reporting requirements.
  • Provide leadership support for efforts to attract, maintain and evolve corporate partnerships.

Eligibility, Compliance and Discipline

  • Works with the head of eligibility to ensure proper management of all eligibility and athletic financial awards related matters (recruiting, interpretations, appeals, policy management).
  • Lead Safe Sport opportunities for the continuous evolution of the Safe Sport framework with Sport Integrity Canada.

Strategic Planning

  • Support the development, execution and monitoring of the U SPORTS Strategic Plan.
  • Ensure there are effective reporting tools and accountability measures.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

  • An undergraduate degree in business administration, sport management or similar. A Master/Professional in a related field is considered an asset.
  • Five (5) to eight (8) years of senior management/operations experience in the sport/business sector or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience;
  • True passion for university sport and knowledge of how U SPORTS operates as well as an understanding of the national, provincial, and international sporting landscape;
  • Understanding of membership based organizations and high touch client service;
  • Experience working with and supporting a Board of Directors;
  • Hands-on leader with strong operational management skills and business acumen.
  • Operates with fiscal responsibility and demonstrates strong budgeting and analysis skills.
  • Committed to building strong teams through employee development, performance management skills, and reinforcing a positive culture and working environment.
  • Ability to develop and maintain lasting relationships with internal and external stakeholders;
  • Works in a collaborative and supportive fashion. Non-territorial and comfortable with the evolving nature of roles and responsibilities of a leadership team;
  • Technology savvy professional who is an information seeker and continuous learner;
  • Strong presentation and communication skills;
  • Bilingualism (English/French) is a significant asset for this position

SALARY RANGE: $113,112 – $137,208

LOCATION: Opportunity to work in-person (Richmond Hill office) and/or remotely within Canada

HOURS OF WORK: 37.5 hours weekly, with flexibility to adapt for non-regular work schedule (overtime as required) during busy operational periods

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Interested applicants should submit a cover letter and resume to hrapplications@usports.ca by Friday, July 31st, 2026 @ 5:00 p.m EDT.

EXPECTED START DATE: Tuesday, September 8th, 2026

CONTACT PERSON: Lisa Beatty

USPORTS is committed to employment equity and diversity in the workplace and welcomes applications from women, racialized/visible minorities, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities and LGBTQ2IA persons. We are committed to providing accessible employment practices are in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (‘AODA’).

Accommodation is available upon request for applicants with disabilities.

We thank applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.