Chief Operating Officer

The Federal Bridge Corporation Limited (FBCL) is a Crown corporation responsible for overseeing the Canadian federal interests in four international bridge crossings between Canada and the United States. Its mandate is to provide the highest level of stewardship so that the international bridges and associated structures are safe and efficient for users. FBCL owns, manages and operates international bridges and associated structures in Sault Ste. Marie, Point Edward, Lansdowne (Thousand Islands) and Cornwall, Ontario.

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) is an executive performance enabler within the Corporation and is a key advisor to the Chief Executive Officer. The COO is responsible for management and oversight of international bridge operations in continuous collaboration and as senior liaison with leadership of the Corporation’s subsidiary, international bridge partners and border agencies.  This role leads operations in both a direct and indirect manner as it relates to international bridge partners in the areas of operational strategy, revenue generation and diversification, traffic movement, asset management and maintenance.

The COO drives operational innovation and sustainability, customer satisfaction and efficiency in the delivery of the mandate, ensuring alignment with FBCL’s Corporate Plan, development of business strategies and compliance with legislation.  The COO provides key advice to the Chief Executive Officer, the Board of Directors and other senior executives in areas of responsibility and strongly contributes in the Corporation’s strategic plan development. Additionally, the COO has the opportunity to be nominated to represent FBCL on bi-national bridges Board of Directors.

The COO must establish and promote effective partnerships and represent the Corporation widely.  The position requires highly effective influence skills; fast direction and detailed follow up. This environment requires frequent regional travel within Ontario and bordering U.S. States. The FBCL corporate services team includes approximately 65 employees.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direction of the CEO, the COO contributes to the overall strategic direction, competitiveness and results of FBCL, as a member of the senior leadership team, and is responsible to:

Portfolio Operations (70%)

• Directs operations at four international bridge crossings, through various business structures and international agreements, to meet corporate objectives and budget
• Works in partnership with colleagues and leadership of international bridges and bi-national border agencies, ensuring safe, secure and efficient flow of goods and traffic
• Owns the strategic five-year operational plan and its implementation achievement
• Provides direction and oversight for the FBCL operations management framework and its policies including measurement of effectiveness and efficiency of operations
• Develops and maintains a portfolio approach to asset management, in partnership with international bridges leadership, ensuring best practices, efficiencies, and synergies
• Ensures full compliance with the International Bridges and Tunnels Act operational components and oversees plan to address the findings of the annual bridge inspection reports to ensure continuous bridge safety and security
• Accountable for timely, accurate, and complete reports on the operating conditions
• Leads the advancement of FBCL strategies and policies in asset management, toll collection, revenue generation and environmental responsibility in support of Corporation’s sustainability strategies
• Manages the Environmental Social Governance Framework and its action plan
• Establishes and strengthens diverse and complex relationships with FBCL’s subsidiary, international bridges partners and bridge management boards (bridges are co-managed, self-managed with joint arrangements or through a U.S. operator under contract)
• Leads the management of urgent or high profile operational issues in liaison with federal government representatives and US partners as required
• Represents the Corporation as spokesperson for portfolio operational issues with partners, federal entities and at various industry and stakeholder meetings
• Assesses and manages the risks of the Corporation within areas of responsibilities

People Management/Leadership (20%)

• Fosters a corporate culture that promotes ethical practices, customer focus and service and encourages individual integrity
• Provides directions on strategic goals, translating and prioritizing them into business and performance measures
• Motivates and leads a high-performing team; mentor direct reports to cultivate skills and to increase awareness of the interrelationship between each department in the reporting group and across the corporation
• Ensures that there is an effective succession plan in place for the key reporting positions
• Builds successful partnerships across the portfolio by providing strategic insights and identifying value-add solutions

Strategic Planning (10%)

• Remain knowledgeable of market and industry trends and competitors to lead business and development strategy of FBCL
• Act as a senior external liaison/representative with federal government department and agency personnel on corporate and operational matters including planning and reporting, authority and funding requests, and responses to government requests for information
• Provides strategic advice, analysis and guidance on a multitude of corporate issues.
• Translates strategy into actionable goals for performance and growth helping to implement organization-wide goal setting, performance management and, annual operating planning
• Plans, monitors and reports on all assigned areas

Essential Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree from a recognized university in a specialty related to the duties of the position and/or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Minimum of 10 years relevant experience, in such areas as operations, revenue generation, the transportation sector, maintenance of major infrastructure assets and/or asset management, including at least 5 years’ experience in establishment of operational plans, development of policy and providing strategic advice to senior executives on a broad range of operational business issues
• Decisive decision maker with the ability to prioritize and provide positive guidance to staff at all levels to achieve corporate objectives and deliver high-performance
• Strong knowledge of government priorities and business practices including the role of central agencies
• Highly conversant with current and emerging technologies as applicable in a business environment
• Sound awareness of government priorities in general and as they affect the Canada-U.S. border
• Strong understanding of business functions such as HR in a unionized environment, finance, communications, etc.
• Good understanding of Crown corporation governance and the role of the Board of Directors
• Outstanding ability to build partnerships with a variety of internal and external stakeholders for the achievement of corporate results
• Strong leadership skills, with steadfast resolve and personal integrity
• Excellent communication (both oral and written) and presentation skills
• Outstanding negotiation, conflict resolution and problem solving skills
• Competencies: strategic orientation and leadership; client focus; values and ethics

Mandatory

• English language, French language skills would be an asset
• Have the ability to travel regionally within Ontario and to the United States
• Hold a valid passport
• Hold a valid driver’s license
• Hold or successfully qualify to obtain a valid Government of Canada Secret level security clearance

Please note the Chief Operating Officer will report to work at the Bluewater Bridge office in Point Edward, ON. Also note FBCL offers a hybrid work schedule with Monday and Friday as work from home, Tuesday to Thursday in office.

We thank all those who apply. Only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.  FBCL is an Equal Opportunity Employer, which promotes a culture of inclusion and diversity. Accommodations are available throughout the staffing process and can be requested at any time from the assigned human resources representative.