Operations Talent That Keeps Business Moving Forward.
Lead Search Group provides operations recruitment in Toronto and the GTA. We recruit operations leaders, general managers and specialists who improve processes, lead teams and manage change. Each search focuses on how your business runs and what the new hire needs to deliver.
Let's Talk About Your HiringOperational Talent Across the Business.
We recruit operations leaders and specialists across the areas below. Each search reflects the size of your business, how teams and locations work together, and what the role needs to improve.
OperationsLeadership
Chief operating officers, operations vice presidents, directors and senior leaders who oversee business performance, lead teams and manage growth.
GeneralManagement
General managers and business leaders who manage daily operations, budgets, team performance and the customer experience.
Multi SiteOperations
Regional, district and multi-location leaders who support local managers, improve performance and maintain consistent standards across sites.
BusinessOperations
Professionals who use data, planning and systems to improve workflows, coordinate teams and help the business run more effectively.
Strategy &Transformation
Leaders who redesign processes, guide organizational change and turn business priorities into practical improvements.
Project &Program Leadership
Project and program professionals who coordinate teams, manage timelines and budgets, and deliver implementations and operational improvements.
The Best Operations Talent May Never Apply.
Experienced operations professionals may be busy leading teams and improving another business. We identify people who have tackled challenges like yours, then approach them directly about the opportunity.
Find Experience That Fits Your Business.
Running several locations requires different experience from improving a central business function. We clarify the teams, processes and results the person will be responsible for before deciding where to search.
We research employers where people have handled similar demands. Business size, service model, growth stage and operational complexity help us identify relevant experience.
A leader in healthcare, professional services, technology or a consumer business may have solved similar problems in staffing, systems or performance.
Make the Opportunity Worth Exploring.
An established operations leader needs a reason to consider a move. The scope of the role, authority to make decisions and opportunity to improve the business can all influence their interest.
We use direct outreach, professional relationships and referrals to start those conversations. We explain your priorities and explore whether the role fits the candidate's goals and experience.
Team responsibilities, reporting relationships, resources and expected results help candidates understand what joining your organization would involve.
Relevant Experience. A Clear Reason to Join.
Our aim is to introduce operations professionals who understand the challenge, bring relevant experience and want to explore your opportunity.
What Should Your Next Operations Hire Improve?
Before the search begins, we help define the results behind the job title. We clarify what needs to improve, what is getting in the way and which responsibilities the new hire will own.
What should run better because you made this hire?
Improve DailyPerformance
What needs to work better?
We identify priorities such as productivity, cost control, service quality or consistent delivery. Those needs guide the experience and results we look for in candidates.
Prepare forGrowth
What will the business need as it grows?
The role may involve opening locations, developing managers or improving systems. We define what needs to change so growth does not overwhelm daily operations.
Handle theComplexity
What demands will this person need to manage?
Multiple locations, regulatory requirements, different customer groups and teams working across departments can shape the role. We clarify which experience is essential for your setting.
Lead Teams& Change
Who will this person need to lead or influence?
We consider how the person will develop managers, set clear expectations, work across departments and guide teams through operational change.
Agree on Results Before Comparing Candidates.
A clear brief helps your team assess candidates against the same priorities. We connect the improvements you need with examples of what candidates have achieved, rather than relying on titles or industry background alone.
Discuss YourOperations Hire.
Tell us what needs to improve, grow or change. We can help define the role and plan a search around the work ahead.
Discuss an Operations SearchPlan YourNext Hire.
Use the playbook's research and practical questions to review your hiring priorities and the skills needed to improve business performance.
Explore the 2026 Hiring PlaybookA free resource for employers hiring across Canada and the United States.
Focused Attention for Your Operations Search.
You need a recruitment partner who understands how your business runs and has time to focus on your hire. We combine experienced judgment with personal involvement from the first conversation to the hiring decision.
OperationalJudgment
We explore what candidates have improved, how they led teams and the conditions behind their results. That helps you judge whether their experience fits your business.
PrincipalLed
Magdalena stays involved throughout your operations search, helping clarify priorities, assess candidates and support your hiring decision.
Focused SearchCapacity
We cap the searches our team takes on. This gives us time for careful research, candidate conversations and follow-up as your hiring needs change.
TrustedRelationships
Professional relationships and referrals help us reach experienced operations leaders who may consider the right opportunity without actively applying.
Relationships That Speak for Themselves.
Our reputation has been built one relationship at a time. Clients and candidates trust Lead Search Group with important hiring and career decisions, and their experiences say more about our approach than we ever could.
Jackie Sparking
Human Resources Manager
Five years ago, I was very fortunate to meet Magdalena during a period when I was exploring my own career opportunities. We established instant rapport, and she instilled confidence in me to pursue my goals.
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From the time of our initial meeting, we have developed a strong relationship (both personal and professional) and today we have a solid business partnership. Magdalena is a talented search professional who takes the time to listen and understand her client’s needs. She is methodical in her approach, and handles each situation with integrity and respect. Through dedication and hard work, Magdalena strives to deliver results with each assignment she accepts. Her commitment to her customers is commendable, and is second to none.
Leslie Proulx
Human Resources Advisor
Magdalena is more than a recruiter – she takes the time to develop a close relationship with her clients. I had the pleasure of working with Magdalena when I was looking for a new HR role.
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Living in Calgary at the time, I was eager to move back to Ontario. The idea of finding a new job across the country was daunting. Magdalena and I connected and I immediately knew that I had her full support in my job search. She took the time to understand my interests and my career goals, ultimately leading to securing a position in a few weeks. Since that first initial contact with Magdalena more than two years ago, we have maintained a close relationship, both professionally and personally.
Victoria Almeida
Human Resources Generalist
It has been an absolute pleasure working with Magdalena. It’s very clear that she has a sincere interest in her clients’ success and she works so hard to ensure that they find the perfect role.
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She is always in touch every step of the way and makes sure you are confident and comfortable before going into an interview or putting you forth for a position. I love working with her and recommend any contact who is searching for a new role to her as a recruiter but more so as an advisor and confidant. She placed me in my current role (before providing me with quite a few amazing opportunities) and its been a great opportunity for me. I look forward to working with Magdalena in the future.
Your Operations Recruitment Questions, Answered.
Who should lead your operations, and where will you find them? These answers explain how we define the role, assess relevant experience and reach candidates.
We use targeted research, direct outreach, referrals and professional relationships to find people already doing relevant work. We then introduce the role and explain why it may be worth considering.
We look at what candidates have led, improved or changed. Business size, team structure, financial responsibility and results help us assess whether their experience fits the challenges in your role.
We recruit Chief Operating Officers, Vice Presidents and Directors of Operations, General Managers and regional leaders. Searches also cover business operations, transformation, project management and other specialized operations roles.
Some roles require specific industry knowledge, technical expertise or regulatory experience. Others benefit from someone in an adjacent sector who has solved similar problems with growth, processes or teams. We establish what is essential before searching.
Yes. We look for regional, district and senior operations leaders who can lead through other managers, improve performance across locations and balance local needs with consistent standards.
Yes. We help clarify responsibilities, reporting lines and the results the hire needs to deliver. Those priorities guide the candidate profile and search, rather than relying on a title alone.
Yes. Lead Search Group is based in the Toronto area, with searches extending across Canada and the United States when needed. The role and relevant talent market determine how broadly we search.
Let’s Define Your Next Operations Hire.
Tell us what needs to run better, grow or change. We can help define the role and the experience to look for.
Discuss an Operations Search
More Confidence in Every Hire.
Hiring is a significant investment. Lead Search Group provides a six month replacement guarantee on qualifying permanent placements. It gives you added protection, with a commitment that continues after the hire.
Recruitment Perspective Worth Sharing.
Hear Magdalena Duleba-Lapensee discuss personalized recruitment on Leadership Human-Style. The conversation explores the human side of hiring and the people behind each search.
Personalized Recruitment with Magdalena Duleba-Lapensee
Leadership Human-Style