Director of Operations

Meredith Centre, Director of Operations

Job Title: Director of Operations

Reports To: Chief Executive Officer, Chelsea Foundation

Direct Reports: (4 direct, ~25-40 indirect including part-time/seasonal staff)

Job Type: Permanent, full-time

Primary Location: Meredith Centre, Chelsea Quebec

Position Summary

The Director of Operations for the Meredith Centre is accountable for the day-to-day running of the community centre building and grounds, arena, reception, recreation programming, and facility rentals ensuring the centre is safe, well-maintained, financially sound, and delivers a strong experience for the public.

Responsibilities and Key Deliverables

• Manage facility staff day to day: hiring, scheduling, training, and performance.
• Perform and/or coordinate building maintenance and basic repairs (plumbing, electrical, carpentry, general fixes), escalating to licensed contractors as needed.
• Maintain arena equipment and infrastructure - Zamboni troubleshooting and upkeep, nets/boards repair, ice surface equipment; avoiding any disruption to bookings.
• Keep rentals, recreation, and arena programs running smoothly, with staffing that meets customer needs and reflects strong community impact.
• Manage and grow bookings (ice, halls, meeting/camp spaces): issue contracts, collect payments, prepare spaces ahead of each booking, and keep idle time to a minimum.
• Drive growth in bookings, memberships, and on-ice programs (Learn to Skate, hockey, camps) by identifying new rental and program opportunities.
• Oversee front desk reception and customer service, ensuring a strong, consistent experience and resolving issues as they arise.
• Develop and manage the annual operations budget; report variances to the CEO and prepare Board reports as needed.
• Act as primary point of contact between municipal staff, CEO, foundation board, and the operations team/clients.
• Ensure compliance with health & safety regulations, insurance requirements, and municipal bylaws.

What you bring to the role:

• Minimum 3 years' experience in a recreation, parks, sports facility, or community centre setting and ideally 5 years' experience managing teams including training and mentoring, and scheduling, supporting diverse needs.
• Fluency speaking in both, French and English
• Post-secondary education; college or university course work in recreation management, facility management, or business administration is preferred.
• Understands and has worked in a commercial building / maintenance oversight in the past, preferably where there was an arena and rental room service.
• Experience managing operating budgets, building capital budget oversight of project expenses.
• Proficiency with computer systems such as email, google docs, zoom meetings, and scheduling software. Administration is required in the role.
• Valid First Aid/CPR certification (or willingness to obtain within 90 days)
• Clean criminal record check (vulnerable sector)

What to Expect

• Some evening and weekend work for events, bookings, and team management. On call for facility emergencies and troubleshooting.
• Time in the arena (cold), mechanical areas, and public-facing reception; loud environments.
• Walking on ice and operating equipment like the Zamboni and maintenance tools.
• On call for facility emergencies and troubleshooting.
• Reports to and advises the CEO; tracks and reports on team and operational performance.
• Customer service and liaising with multiple stakeholders in a fast-paced environment.

Why This Role:

• Community impact, oversight of sizeable operations and services.
• A centre that is well respected in the region and supports the well-being of community members.
• A genuinely mission-driven team – those who work here, are passionate about recreation, sport and community and work with values.
• Real autonomy: you run operations and have broad authority in decision making.

Our Commitments:

The Chelsea Foundation/ Meredith Centre is committed to employment equity and to fostering an inclusive, accessible workplace where diversity is valued. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.

Personal information collected as part of this recruitment process is gathered and used solely for the purpose of evaluating your application, in accordance with Quebec's Act respecting the protection of personal information in the private sector and Act 25. Your information will be kept confidential, accessed only by those involved in the hiring process, and retained only as long as necessary for recruitment purposes, after which it will be securely destroyed. By submitting your application, you consent to this collection and use of your personal information. You may contact us at any time to request access to, correction of, or withdrawal of your information.