MANAGER, OPERATIONS
SUMMARY:
Position Title: Manager, Operations
Department: Operations & Governance
Status: Full-time/ Permanent
Reports to: Chief Operating Officer
Location: Toronto, ON
Application Deadline: August 22, 2025
COMPANY DESCRIPTON:
The Canadian Football League is Canada's home for professional football. With over a century of rich history and nine member teams across the nation, the CFL provides world-class entertainment and excitement to a passionate and dedicated fan base. A season-long journey of unforgettable moments and must-see-TV broadcasts culminates in Canada’s largest single-day sporting event – the Grey Cup, where the newly crowned champions earn the right to hoist the iconic emblem of Canadian football.
The CFL leads a global movement to grow and modernize the game. The league is committed to a global vision as it connects with fans around the world. It is transforming into a digital-first sports league through an innovative, first-of-its- kind partnership with Genius Sports to maximize fan engagement through data analytics, technological advances, and sports betting.
Just as important as its industry-leading operations, the CFL proudly champions the values on which Canada was built – unity, diversity, inclusion, strength, and service to the community. The league is supportive of all peoples, cultures, and backgrounds, offering a respectful and inclusive working and playing environment, centered on acceptance and understanding. The CFL's successes are measured not only on the field and within its ranks, but also in its unparalleled impact in affecting positive change and bettering Canadian communities and lives.
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Manager, Operations is responsible for driving execution on high-impact, cross-functional initiatives that support the operational and strategic priorities of the league office. This full-time role will play a critical part in keeping projects on track, aligning internal stakeholders, and ensuring smooth coordination across departments. We’re looking for someone who thrives in a fast-paced, detail-oriented, and collaborative environment — someone who can bring structure to ambiguity, align cross-functional teams, and push initiatives forward. If you’re energized by working at both the strategic and executional levels, and you’re passionate about making an impact across a broad range of business areas, this role is for you.
In the first 12+ months, the role will focus on backfilling the responsibilities of an incumbent on temporary leave, with a strong emphasis on project and program management. While this initial focus is on backfill, the position is permanent and will evolve over time. Once the incumbent returns, you will continue to work closely alongside them to lead planning processes, manage key initiatives, and strengthen league operations.
RESPONSBILITIES:
- Lead and manage complex, cross-functional projects across departments, ensuring clear timelines, strong communication, and accountability throughout each workstream.
- Support the execution of high-priority digital, operational, and fan-facing initiatives, translating strategy into actionable plans.
- Contribute to the league’s strategic planning process by supporting the development of annual and quarterly business plans, coordinating planning sessions, and helping track progress against KPIs.
- Partner with senior leaders to ensure departmental execution aligns with overall league goals and priorities.
- Apply a working understanding of digital transformation concepts to support initiatives involving digital product, IT, marketing, and fan engagement.
- Provide operational support for governance processes, including Board and Management Council coordination, meeting logistics, and the development of materials.
- Assist with budgeting and financial tracking responsibilities for select operational budgets, including forecasting and identifying areas for greater efficiency.
- Identify opportunities to improve internal processes and systems, promoting operational excellence and collaboration across the league office.
- Communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders to ensure clarity, alignment, and timely delivery of initiatives.
QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS:
- 5+ years of experience in project management, program management, operations, or business planning roles.
- Proven track record managing complex, cross-functional projects from start to finish.
- Strong understanding of digital environments, platforms, and transformation trends (prior experience in a digital-forward organization is an asset).
- Experience supporting business planning or strategic execution processes.
- Strong budgeting and financial tracking acumen.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills – able to influence across functions.
- A team player who thrives in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
- Previous experience in sports, media, or entertainment sectors is a plus but not required
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS:
- Hybrid Model: The incumbent will be required to attend the office 2-3 days per week. In addition, you are required to attend meetings and other business events at the office or other venues as business needs dictate.
- Travel: Some travel may be required.
CONTACT:
To be considered for this opportunity, please submit your resume and cover letter.
The Canadian Football League is an equal opportunity employer, and we are working to create a more diverse and inclusive work environment. We welcome applications from traditionally underrepresented groups such as women, visible minorities, Indigenous peoples, people living with disabilities and people identifying as LGBTQ2S+.
We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. For additional information on the Canadian Football League, please visit our website at
www.cfl.ca.
