The posting
About Kids Brain Health Network (KBHN)
KBHN is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving the health and quality of life of children and youth living with neuro-developmental disabilities, and the families who support them. Rooted in collaboration and scientific excellence, KBHN connects researchers, clinicians, families, and community partners across Canada to drive meaningful change in the lives of children with brain-based conditions.
The Network operates through three interconnected entities, each with a distinct yet complementary mandate:
KBH Network
Funded by the Government of Canada's Strategic Science Fund, it funds a range of programming including research grants, strategic implementation and scale-up grants, and operational support across all three KBH entities.
KBH Foundation (KBHF)
The philanthropic arm — responsible for fundraising, donor stewardship, community engagement, and grant-making in support of paediatric neuro-disability.
KBH Innovation Fund (KBH-IF)
The impact investment vehicle — mobilising capital and partnerships to accelerate innovation and translation of research into real-world outcomes for children and families.
The Opportunity
This is a rare opportunity to step into a senior leadership role at the heart of a mission-driven organization making a tangible difference in the lives of children and youth. As Chief Operating Officer, you will serve as the senior operational leader of the KBH Network and will hold cross-entity operational responsibility across KBHF and KBH-IF.
Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, the COO is responsible for translating strategic vision into operational reality — ensuring the Network runs effectively, efficiently, and with integrity. The COO directly manages the Director of Implementation and Programs, Finance Manager, and Communications Manager, and works in close partnership with the Chief Scientist and Chief Fund Development Officer, playing a critical leadership and integrative role across all three entities.
We are looking for an experienced operational leader who brings both the rigour to manage complex multi-entity operations and the heart to lead with purpose in a not-for-profit environment.
Scope of Authority
The COO holds delegated authority from the CEO for all operational matters across the three KBH entities. This includes final sign-off on operational budgets within approved parameters, people management decisions, vendor and contract approvals, and day-to-day governance processes. The COO serves as the CEO's designate in the CEO's absence and is accountable to the CEO for the organization's overall operational performance.
Key Responsibilities
Operational Planning & Execution
- Lead operational strategic planning for the Network, and operational coordination across all Kids Brain Health's (KBH+) entities, translating the Network's strategic priorities into actionable plans with clear accountabilities and measurable outcomes.
- Drive the day-to-day operations of the Network efficiently and effectively, with oversight spanning programming communications, budgets, research support, and training.
- Develop, implement, and maintain KBHN's Risk Management Framework, ensuring the organization is well-positioned to anticipate and respond to operational and strategic risks.
- Liaise with host university departments on behalf of KBHN, nurturing productive relationships with institutional partners.
Financial Oversight & Compliance
- Develop and steward annual and multi-year budgets that support operational activities across all three KBH entities, with regular updates to the Leadership Team and CEO.
- Apply deep knowledge of not-for-profit, government, and grant-based budgeting — ensuring full compliance with funding agreements, regulatory requirements and reporting obligations.
- Review all financial documentation and approve payments, expenses, and financial commitments within authorized signing authorities.
- Maintain robust enterprise risk management processes, with appropriate financial controls and mitigation strategies in place at all times.
- Partner with the Leadership Team to identify and develop strategic initiatives and partnership opportunities.
Governance & Board Support
- Hold primary accountability for board and committee operations, including the preparation of agendas, meeting materials, and action item tracking, working closely with the CEO.
- Ensure the organization meets its governance obligations by working in close partnership with the CEO to maintain timely and accurate board reporting, policy compliance, and sound organizational practices.
People Leadership & Human Resources
- Lead, motivate, and develop a multi-disciplinary team, fostering a culture of collaboration, excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement.
- Oversee all people management functions, including recruitment, onboarding, performance monitoring and evaluation, training and professional development, and HR policy development and implementation.
- Manage the hiring and performance evaluation of contract and consulting positions across the Network.
Network Building & Stakeholder Engagement
- Build and sustain relationships with a diverse range of strategic partners, including academic institutions, research networks, funders, and community organizations.
- Represent the Network externally, building and sustaining key relationships with ecosystem partners and federal and provincial governments in close collaboration with the CEO.
- Champion meaningful engagement with people with lived experience and families, embedding their perspectives into operational and strategic decision-making.
- Lead the identification and development of strategic partnerships and funding opportunities in collaboration with the CEO, Chief Scientist, Director of Implementation and Programs, and Chief Fund Development Officer.
Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
- Provide organizational oversight of KBHN's EDI commitments, ensuring policies, practices, and workplace culture reflect the Network's values.
- Champion an inclusive environment where all team members feel valued, respected, and empowered to contribute fully.
Qualifications & Experience
Essential
- Significant senior leadership experience in operations management, ideally within a not-for-profit, mission-driven organisation.
- Demonstrated track record of leading complex, multi-functional operations with accountability for financial performance and regulatory compliance.
- Deep experience with not-for-profit governance, government funding environments, and grant management and reporting.
- Proven ability to lead and develop high-performing teams, with a people-first approach to leadership.
- Strong financial acumen, including budget development, financial oversight, and enterprise risk management.
- Experience working with and supporting executive-level decision-making.
- Excellent relationship-building skills, with experience engaging diverse stakeholders, including funders, researchers, and community members.
Valued
- Background or experience in health, pediatrics, neuroscience, disability, or a related field.
- Experience working within or alongside academic-community partnership models or networks.
- Familiarity with Canadian funding landscapes, including federal and provincial granting bodies and charitable foundations.
- Post-graduate qualification in business administration, public administration, health management, or a related discipline.
Leadership Competencies
The following competencies describe the leadership qualities we are seeking in our next COO:
Strategic Thinking
Translates vision into practical operational plans; sees the big picture while managing the details with care and discipline.
People Leadership
Builds, motivates, and develops teams; creates a culture of trust, high performance, and genuine inclusion.
Problem Solving
Solutions-oriented and pragmatic; assesses complex situations clearly and acts decisively to drive resolution.
Relationship Building
Fosters strong relationships across diverse stakeholders; communicates with clarity, warmth, and credibility.
Mission Alignment
Genuinely committed to KBHN's mission; brings authentic care for children, families, and communities living with neuro-disability.
Adaptability
Thrives in a dynamic, evolving organisation; comfortable navigating ambiguity and driving change in pursuit of greater impact and efficiency.
Kids Brain Health Team Charter
As a team, we make a tangible difference in the lives of kids and youth with neurodisabilities and their families — helping them reach their fullest potential.
Our work is designed to create meaningful change and lasting impact. We set ambitious goals and constantly ask how KBH+ can move the needle toward 100-fold growth — expanding from serving hundreds of kids to hundreds of thousands who could benefit.
We embrace a growth mindset, pushing ourselves and KBH+ to think bigger, build capacity, seize opportunity, and create exponential value.
