Job Posting

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Position: Vice President Sport Performance

Reports to: Chief Executive Officer

Location: Ottawa, Ontario

Job Type: Full Time

Application Deadline: 5:00 pm EDT, August 19, 2026

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About Own the Podium

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Own the Podium is a not-for-profit organization that provides leadership for Canadian sports to achieve sustainable and improved podium performances at the Olympic and Paralympic Games through a values-based approach. It prioritizes and determines investment strategies for National Sport Organizations in an effort to deliver more Olympic and Paralympic medals for Canada. Own the Podium’s largest contributor of funding is the Government of Canada with additional funding provided by the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC), the Canadian Olympic Foundation, and the Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC) and Paralympic Foundation of Canada. Own the Podium continues to drive Canada’s high performance sport system forward in a quest to help more athletes and coaches succeed in future Olympic and Paralympic Games.

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Scope of Position

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Reporting to the CEO, the Vice President Sport Performance provides executive leadership and oversight of OTP’s sport performance strategy to help Canadian athletes and teams win well at the Olympic and Paralympic Games. The Vice President, Sport Performance leads a team of performance advisors and technical experts responsible for working collaboratively with National Sport Organizations (NSOs) and key partners across the Canadian sport system. The role ensures that OTP’s investment strategies, performance planning, and technical support services to maximize Canada’s podium potential.

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Key Responsibilities:

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Strategic Leadership‍

• Develop and implement the sport performance strategy aligned with OTP’s strategic plan and performance objectives.
• Identify and prioritize system level opportunities and risks to enhance international competitive success.
• Elevate the effectiveness of interdisciplinary collaboration, alignment and integration within and across technical teams to ensure common approaches, principles and policies through unified leadership for high performance sport.
• Contribute to organizational strategy and decision making as a member of the senior leadership team.
• Foster a culture of excellence, innovation, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

High Performance System Leadership‍

• Lead the development and execution of evidence based approaches to optimize athlete and team performance.
• Oversee relationships with National Sport Organizations and provide strategic advice regarding high performance planning and execution.
• Guide technical performance reviews and assessments of targeted sports and programs.
• Identify international and national system-wide trends, emerging opportunities, and performance risks affecting Canada’s medal potential.
• Promote integration of best practices in technical leadership, coaching, athlete support, sport science and sport medicine to achieve excellence.
• Facilitate collaboration across the high-performance sport system to address common challenges and opportunities.

Investment and Resource Allocation‍

• Lead the development of recommendations related to investment priorities and funding allocations.
• Ensure investment decisions are informed by robust analysis and aligned with organizational priorities.
• Monitor impact and effectiveness of investments and report on outcomes.

‍Stakeholder Engagement and Partnerships‍

• Build and maintain strong relationships with National Sport Organizations, the Canadian Olympic Committee, Canadian Paralympic Committee, Sport Canada, Canadian Sport Institutes and Centres, and other key partners.
• Collaborate on Games planning and performance readiness strategies.
• Represent OTP at national and international meetings, conferences, and events

Leadership and Team Development‍

• Lead, mentor, and develop a high performing team of sport technical experts.
• Establish clear objectives, expectations, and accountability measures.
• Promote a diverse, equitable, inclusive, safe, and respectful workplace culture.
• Support staff learning and professional development to strengthen organizational capability and expertise.

Governance and Operational Excellence‍

• Ensure activities are conducted in accordance with OTP policies, governance requirements, and applicable legislation.
• Support the CEO and Board of Directors through the preparation of reports, presentations, and strategic recommendations.
• Monitor and manage departmental budgets and operational plans.
• Identify and mitigate organizational and performance related risks.

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Experience, Qualifications and Skills

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• Graduate degree in sport management, kinesiology, exercise science, business administration, leadership, or a related discipline; an equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressively senior leadership experience within high-performance sport environments.
• Demonstrated success working with Olympic and/or Paralympic programs.
• Extensive knowledge of the Canadian high-performance sport system and its key stakeholders.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams and managing complex stakeholder relationships.
• Proven ability to translate performance insights into strategic action and measurable outcomes.
• Experience in funding, investment analysis, performance planning, and program evaluation.
• Excellent communication, presentation, negotiation, and influencing skills.
• Bilingualism in English and French is considered an asset.

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Leadership Competencies

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The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• Strategic and systems thinking
• Collaborative leadership and relationship building
• Sound judgment and decision-making
• Innovation and adaptability
• Results orientation and accountability
• Integrity and professionalism
• Commitment to excellence in all facets

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Compensation

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• Final compensation will be based on qualifications and experience.
• Benefits package will be provided.

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Working Conditions

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• The position is based in Ottawa working from OTP’s Ottawa Office.
• Regular travel within Canada and internationally is required.
• Evening and weekend work may be necessary during major games cycles and key events.

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Application Process

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Please submit your cover letter and resume by 5:00 p.m. EDT on August 19, 2026, using the link below.

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We are dedicated to fostering an inclusive, equitable, harassment free, and accessible work environment,  starting with the recruitment process. Workplace accommodation measures are available to all candidates  who identify a need during selection. 

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We thank all applicants for their interest. However, only those applicants meeting the qualifications above will be contacted as part of the selection process.