Business Operations Manager
singapore canoe federation- Posted an hour ago
- Be among the first 10 applicants
Job Description
About Singapore Canoe Federation:
The Singapore Canoe Federation (SCF) was founded in 1971 and is the National Sports Association responsible for the management, coordination, development and promotion of paddling in Singapore. It represents the interest of its athletes and members to Sport Singapore (Previously known as the Singapore Sports Council), the Singapore National Olympic Council (SNOC), the public and other International paddling bodies. The SCF is an affiliate of both the Asian Canoe Confederation and Paddle Worldwide (formerly the International Canoe Federation).
Our Aims:
To promote opportunity for public participation in a full range of paddling activities in Singapore with high standards of safety. Among other things, the SCF aspires to:
Nurture and prepare its elite and potential elite athletes to medal at the SEA Games, Asian Games, Olympic Games and other regional/international competitions.
Uphold high standards of sportsmanship.
Champion the development and enjoyment by the public of all paddling disciplines in Singapore.
Develop and promote Singapore as a venue of choice for regional/international paddling championships/events.
Our Values:
Transparent - To be completely transparent and up front in all our policies, procedures, results (both good and bad). No artificial harmony.
Respect - Respect all stakeholders of the sport. From employees, to parents, volunteers and all community members. Put yourself in their shoes to understand their perspective on how your actions will impact them.
Inclusive - To include all paddling disciplines and communities in our decision-making process. To develop all disciplines in the manner most suitable to the various levels of maturity.
Professional - To be responsible, committed to the highest standards yet being self-aware and cooperative to the people around you. Sometimes, things might not go your way but if it's been agreed, then you have to align to the decision and do your best to achieve its desired outcome.
Our Vision:
To establish Singapore as the top paddling nation in Asia by placing firm focus on developing high performance athlete pathways.
To promote paddling as a vibrant lifestyle and bringing more awareness & education into marine protection and promoting inclusive communities.
Key Competencies to be successful for the role:
Honesty/Integrity. Does not cut corners. Earns trust and maintains confidence. Does what is right, not just what is politically expedient. Speaks plainly and truthfully.
Attention to detail. Does not let important details slip through the cracks or derail a project.
Work ethic. Possesses a strong willingness to work hard and sometimes long hours to get the job done. Has a track record of working hard.
Creativity/innovation. Generates new and innovative approaches to problems. Working within a set budget to maximise returns.
Flexibility/adaptability. Adjusts quickly to changing priorities and conditions. Copes effectively with complexity and change. Adapt to local culture and systems while infusing new ideas and approaches.
Role Description
The Operations Manager (OM) is a strategic leadership role responsible for driving the financial performance, overarching operational governance, and strategic direction of all Singapore Canoe Federation (SCF) operation centers.
Acting as the key decision-maker for facility operations, the OM ensures that all centers operate profitably, safely, and seamlessly. The OM guides the Operations Team (including the Senior Operations Executive and Operations Executive) and acts as the primary liaison with major government agencies and internal departments. The OM steps away from daily tactical execution to focus on business planning, budget accountability, risk management, and long-term customer experience enhancements.
The OM reports directly to the General Manager (GM) of the Singapore Canoe Federation (SCF).
The role will cover four key areas of the organisation:
Strategic Business & Financial Management
Operations Governance & Risk Management
Stakeholder & Inter-Departmental Leadership
Asset & Infrastructure Strategy
Educational BackgroundDegree in Business Administration, Sports Management, Operations Management, or a related field.
Working Experience
At least 5-10 years of progressive experience in operations management, facility management, or business management, preferably within the sports, recreation, or hospitality sectors.
Proven track record in managing P&L, budget development, and financial tracking for multi-site operations.
Demonstrated experience in strategic planning, data analytics, and stakeholder management at a high level.
Prior experience liaising with government agencies (e.g., SportSG, PUB, NParks) is highly advantageous. Prior experience in the sports industry (particularly paddling sports) is a plus.
Specific Responsibilities
1. Strategic Business & Financial Management
1.1 Develop and execute comprehensive business plans to grow revenue, maximize facility utilization, and improve profitability across all SCF operation centers.
1.2 Devise and be strictly accountable for the annual operating budgets for all facilities and operational programs.
1.3 Prepare and analyze monthly revenue and expenditure statements to report the Profit & Loss (P&L) of all operation centers to the GM and the Board.
1.4 Ensure bottom-line profitability for each center, utilizing data analytics to identify underperforming sites and develop actionable turnaround strategies.
1.5 Work closely with the Finance Department on the preparation, submission, and compliance of various financial schemes and grants for the Federation.
2. Operations Governance & Risk Management
2.1 Oversee the smooth daily functioning of all SCF operational outlets from a macro perspective, guiding the Senior Executive in tactical execution.
2.2 Establish, implement, and enforce overarching Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to ensure consistency and excellence in service delivery.
2.3 Oversee comprehensive safety and risk management frameworks at all sites, ensuring full compliance with national guidelines and water safety regulations.
2.4 Lead strategic improvements in the customer experience for public boat rentals and orientation programs, utilizing data analytics to enhance customer outreach.
3. Stakeholder & Inter-Departmental Leadership
3.1 Act as the primary high-level liaison and representative of SCF with external agencies (e.g., PUB, NParks, SportSG) on operational, licensing, and compliance matters.
3.2 Coordinate closely with the High Performance (HP) and Events departments to proactively deconflict and align overarching operational needs with training and event schedules.
3.3 Lead, mentor, and appraise the Operations Team (Senior Executive and Executive), fostering a high performance culture aligned with SCF values.
4. Asset & Infrastructure Strategy
4.1 Devise the overarching strategy for facility maintenance, upgrades, and infrastructure development across all reservoirs.
4.2 Maintain an accurate central inventory system and oversee regular, independent audits of SCF's fixed assets and high-value equipment.
4.3 Oversee the overarching administration of vessel permits, major maintenance contracts, and operational documentation, ensuring zero lapse in regulatory compliance.
4.4 Support the Finance team in structuring and optimizing fee collection systems (e.g., boat storage, rentals) for better efficiency and user experience.


