Associate Consultant - Business & Operations

Company Description

About Matrix

At Matrix, we deliver a broad range of advisory services and tailored solutions that help organizations navigate change, realize their vision, and optimize performance and productivity.

We are a boutique consulting and professional services firm specializing in strategic advisory, business analysis, operational improvement, project support and organizational transformation.

Our clients may include government ministries and agencies, professional practices, accounting firms, healthcare organizations, hospitality businesses, corporations, non-profit organizations and other public- and private-sector organizations.

Our model combines strategic insight with practical implementation and operational execution to help clients address organizational, administrative, operational and business challenges.

Job Description

Research • Business Analysis • Operations • Project Support

Location: Canada / Global
Work Model: Remote / Hybrid with Client-Site Assignments as Required
Engagement: Independent Contractor / Project-Based

The Role

Matrix is seeking Associate Consultants – Business & Operations to join our professional contractor network and support client engagements across a broad range of industries.

This role is suited to professionals who bring strong research, analytical, organizational, writing and project-support capabilities and who can contribute meaningfully to consulting assignments under the direction of a Senior Advisor, Project Lead or other authorized Matrix professional.

Assignments may involve business research, data analysis, process mapping, operational reviews, benchmarking, documentation, project coordination, stakeholder support and preparation of client deliverables.

The work may vary significantly from one client engagement to another. Contractors may support short-term projects, defined deliverables, operational reviews, implementation initiatives or longer-term consulting assignments depending on the client's requirements.

While assignments are primarily remote, contractors may be required to attend client locations for meetings, workshops, discovery sessions, interviews, project activities, stakeholder engagement or other approved project requirements.

This is not an employment or trainee position. Contractors are engaged on a project basis and are expected to manage their assigned work independently, using their professional judgment and preferred methods while meeting the requirements and deliverables established in the applicable Work Order.

Key Responsibilities

Research & Business Analysis

• Conduct research relevant to assigned client projects.
• Gather, organize and analyze business and operational information.
• Conduct benchmarking and comparative research.
• Identify trends, issues, opportunities and relevant findings.
• Prepare research summaries, analytical notes and briefing materials.
• Support Senior Advisors in developing practical recommendations.

Process & Operations Analysis

Depending on the assignment:

• Map business and administrative processes.
• Document current-state and proposed workflows.
• Review operational procedures and practices.
• Identify inefficiencies, duplication, bottlenecks and opportunities for improvement.
• Assist with organizational and functional analysis.
• Support the development of practical process-improvement recommendations.

Project & Administrative Support

• Assist with project planning and coordination.
• Track assigned activities, deliverables and timelines.
• Maintain project documentation.
• Coordinate information required from project stakeholders.
• Support meeting preparation and follow-up.
• Assist with project status updates and reporting.
• Identify issues or delays requiring escalation to the project lead.

Client Deliverables

Assist with the preparation of:

• reports;
• presentations;
• briefing materials;
• research summaries;
• process maps;
• workflow documentation;
• data summaries;
• project documentation;
• recommendations; and
• other client deliverables.

Contractors are expected to ensure assigned work is accurate, organized, professionally presented and completed within the agreed project parameters.

Stakeholder Support

• Participate in authorized client meetings and project discussions.
• Communicate professionally with client representatives and project stakeholders.
• Prepare agendas, notes and follow-up materials where assigned.
• Assist with information gathering and stakeholder interviews where appropriate.
• Maintain confidentiality and discretion when handling client information.

Business & Organizational Projects

Depending on qualifications and the specific Work Order, assignments may involve:

• business operations;
• administrative systems;
• organizational effectiveness;
• process improvement;
• service delivery;
• project implementation;
• business research;
• technology implementation support;
• workflow optimization;
• documentation and information management;
• change initiatives; or
• other areas within the contractor's authorized expertise.

Ideal Profile

We welcome applications from professionals with approximately 5-10 years of relevant experience, including experience in:

• consulting;
• business administration;
• professional services;
• government or public-sector environments;
• business analysis;
• research;
• project coordination;
• operations;
• administration;
• program support; or
• related fields.

Equivalent education and practical experience will be considered.

The successful contractor should demonstrate:

• strong analytical and critical-thinking skills;
• excellent written communication;
• strong research and information-management skills;
• ability to organize and synthesize complex information;
• strong attention to detail;
• ability to prepare professional client materials;
• sound judgment and problem-solving ability;
• ability to manage multiple assignments and priorities;
• professionalism when dealing with clients and stakeholders;
• discretion when handling confidential information; and
• ability to work independently in a remote environment.

Qualifications

Education & Professional Background

A degree, diploma or professional training in a relevant discipline is an asset, including:

• business administration;
• commerce;
• public administration;
• economics;
• communications;
• project management;
• organizational studies;
• information management;
• human resources;
• operations; or
• another related field.

Candidates with strong practical experience and transferable skills are encouraged to apply.

Technology & Collaboration

Contractors should be comfortable working with common business and collaboration technologies, including:

• Microsoft Word;
• Excel;
• PowerPoint;
• Outlook;
• Microsoft Teams;
• Zoom;
• SharePoint;
• cloud-based document-management systems;
• project-management platforms; and
• other client- or Matrix-designated systems.

Experience with business-management, accounting, healthcare, government, enterprise or industry-specific technology platforms is an asset.

Independent Contractor Engagement

This is an independent contractor, project-based engagement and not an employment position.

Contractors manage their assigned projects independently and are responsible for determining the manner, method, sequence and tools used to perform the work, subject to the applicable Work Order, required deliverables, agreed timelines, confidentiality obligations, security requirements and client-specific requirements.

Matrix provides the client relationship, assignment scope and required deliverables. Contractors independently manage the execution of their assignments and use Matrix's designated online project-management and collaboration platform to receive Work Orders, access assignment information, provide status updates and collaborate with Matrix and authorized client contacts as required.

Contractors may accept assignments based on their availability, qualifications, experience and capacity.

Contractors are responsible for maintaining the professional capabilities, equipment, technology, transportation and other resources necessary to perform their assignments, except where otherwise agreed for a specific project.

Contractors are responsible for their own applicable taxes, government remittances, insurance, business expenses and other obligations arising from their independent business activities.

Nothing in the contractor relationship creates an employment, partnership, joint-venture or agency relationship between the contractor and Matrix or the client.

Work Environment

Assignments may be:

• fully remote;
• hybrid;
• client-site based; or
• a combination of remote and in-person work.

The location, duration, scope and nature of each assignment will depend on the applicable client Work Order.

Contractors should be comfortable adapting to different organizations, industries, project requirements and professional environments.

Why Work With Matrix

• Flexible, project-based consulting opportunities.
• Exposure to diverse organizations and industries.
• Opportunities to work alongside experienced Matrix advisors and consultants.
• Ability to apply professional expertise across different client projects.
• Remote and hybrid project opportunities.
• Access to Matrix's online collaboration and project-management environment.
• Opportunities to develop a diverse consulting portfolio.
• Participation in meaningful organizational and operational improvement initiatives.

Professional Boundaries

Matrix provides non-legal consulting, administrative, operational and strategic services.

Associate Consultants may conduct research, analysis, documentation and project-support activities within the scope of their qualifications and assigned Work Order.

Contractors must not:

• provide legal advice;
• provide legal opinions;
• represent clients in legal proceedings;
• provide regulated professional advice outside their qualifications and authorized scope;
• make professional determinations on behalf of clients; or
• hold themselves out as providing services that require a professional licence or designation they do not possess.

Where an assignment raises a matter requiring specialized professional judgment, the matter remains the responsibility of the client's appropriately qualified professional.

Additional Information

Diversity & Inclusion

Matrix is committed to building a diverse and inclusive professional network. We welcome qualified professionals from a broad range of backgrounds, experiences and perspectives.

Matrix is committed to equal opportunity and maintaining a respectful professional environment in accordance with applicable Ontario, Canadian and relevant jurisdictional legislation.

All applicant information will be treated confidentially and handled in accordance with applicable privacy requirements