THE OPPORTUNITY
We have an exciting opportunity for an operations leader to join BIS Safety Software as their Chief Operating Officer (COO). This is a newly created position based out of their Sherwood Park, Alberta location. This leadership role calls for a dynamic individual who can bridge strategy and execution, transforming bold ideas into focused, achievable roadmaps that guide the organization through its next phase of growth.
Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the COO will oversee core operational functions including Risk & Compliance, Legal, Finance, and Operations. As the company continues to grow, the COO’s influence will extend across the organization, ensuring BIS’s operations remain scalable, disciplined, and agile. This will enable the company to drive sustainable growth, streamline processes, and maintain the flexibility needed to innovate and respond to market opportunities. Grounded in a culture that values humility, collaboration, and entrepreneurial spirit, BIS is committed to building smart, sustainable growth without losing its agility.
IDEAL CANDIDATE
This role calls for a visionary builder with proven experience driving and scaling business growth. The ideal candidate will bring experience in B2B SaaS and a track record of developing leaders, building scalable systems, and fueling a mission-driven, high-performance culture. They will embody quiet strength, elevate others, and foster accountability across the organization by introducing the right processes to support smart, agile growth. This is an opportunity to lead a growing technology company through its next chapter while safeguarding its culture and sharpening its competitive edge.
SCALING UP
Central to this success is the ability to apply proven growth frameworks. The COO drives growth by evaluating operations, planning for expansion, investing in scalable technology and optimizing processes to ensure consistent customer experience. The COO translates strategic vision into actionable plans and fosters a culture of efficiency and innovation that supports rapid growth without sacrificing quality. Experience with proven growth frameworks such as Scaling Up, EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System), OKRs (Objectives and Key Results), Lean Methodology, or Agile practices will enable the COO to drive sustainable growth while instilling disciplined execution, accountability, adaptability and alignment across the organization.
THE ORGANIZATION
BIS Safety Software is a fast-growing technology company providing leading software for the safety industry.
Founded in 2006 and proudly headquartered in Sherwood Park, Alberta, BIS has developed a world class software solution by emphasizing client relationships and continuous innovation.
CULTURE AND VALUES
BIS Safety Software prides itself on being highly entrepreneurial in nature. The company fosters an open environment that lends itself to collaboration, communication and organic learning. New ideas and best practices are integrated quickly when they further the development of the software and company. This flexibility, combined with a results-oriented focus on getting things done, reflects a culture built on an insightful and collaborative team and one that is energized by change, embraces challenges, and pivots quickly when opportunities arise.
Another key part of the culture is the purposeful avoidance of titles, reflecting the strong value of humility. BIS leads with heart, treating customers and team members with integrity and compassion, while celebrating success collectively as an amazing team that wins together.
For more information, please visit their website: www.bissafety.ca
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Partner with the CEO and leadership team to co-create company strategy, anticipating market shifts and designing bold yet achievable growth paths.
- Translate the company vision into an actionable business strategy with clearly defined priorities and milestones.
- Lead cross-functional execution on company-wide initiatives - ensuring accountability, alignment, and measurable results.
- Build and optimize scalable operational processes, integrating automation and systems to support growth.
- Drive operational discipline, ensuring all departments execute within budgets and deliver against goals.
- Guide leaders in identifying and prioritizing high-impact OKRs and strategic initiatives that deliver the greatest value
- Establish and monitor company dashboards, KPIs, and reporting frameworks for performance tracking and decision-making.
- Identify and implement opportunities for operational efficiency and cost reduction without sacrificing quality.
- Support strategic growth initiatives including sales productivity improvements and market expansion.
- Design organizational structures for scale, anticipating future needs rather than only current demands.
- Coach and develop leaders, embedding performance management systems that elevate productivity and accountability.
- Strengthen existing systems and processes to improve performance and adapt quickly to shifting business conditions
QUALIFICATIONS
- Post-secondary education (e.g., bachelor’s degree in business, computer science, or a related field; MBA or master’s degree considered an asset) is preferred but not required. Candidates with demonstrated experience and success in leading growth at scale will be given primary consideration.
- 10 years of senior leadership experience, with strong strategic and financial acumen, and excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Proven track record of scaling organizations to $100M+, ideally in a SaaS or software context, is advantageous.
- Possess strong business and financial acumen, with a clear understanding of P&L levers and how to use them to drive results.
- Demonstrated success in driving measurable improvements in operational performance, efficiency, and growth.
- Have P&L ownership in high-growth environments.
KEY COMPETENCIES
- Lead with quiet strength and humility, building trust, empowering teams, and inspiring through action, not just words.
- Possesses a strong technology aptitude and the agility to grasp and apply new software to enhance operational outcomes.
- Exhibit strong operational leadership skills with the ability to design, implement, and optimize systems and processes.
- Have experience in operational excellence as well as driving business strategy and shaping growth models.
- Can scan market trends, competitive forces, and client needs to inform long-term strategy.
- Have the courage to challenge assumptions, ensuring the best strategic decisions are made for the company’s future.
- Are a strategic thinker who connects long-term vision to day-to-day execution.
- Excel at fostering alignment, accountability, and performance across diverse teams.
- Are experienced in leading organizations through change with clarity, focus, and effective execution.
- Are an exceptional communicator with the influence and presence to align stakeholders at all levels.
- Are skilled at coaching and developing senior leaders to elevate their departments and deliver results.
- Are highly organized, proactive, and adaptable in a fast-paced environment.
- Possess deep expertise in performance dashboarding, OKR frameworks, or operational automation systems.
- Hands-on leadership during growth phases is a strong advantage.
WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE IN THIS ROLE
- 3 months: You’ll deliver a comprehensive operational assessment and roadmap including organizational structure, gaps, and opportunities.
- 6 months: Top priorities are gaining traction with clear plans, milestones, and defined outcomes in motion.
- 12 months: You’ll have delivered visible improvements in operational efficiency, financial discipline, and execution across departments underpinned by effective dashboards and KPIs.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT
SANDY JACOBSON | T: 780.944.1327| E: [email protected] | www.richardsonsearch.ca
