Chris Bertrand
Chris Bertrand
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Executive Operations & Administrative Leadership
Executive Operations & Administrative Leadership
14+ years ensuring C-suite success.
Trusted executive partner who manages complex schedules, bridges leadership with teams/vendors, and drives efficient office operations. Proven in professional services, life sciences, engineering, and design-build, delivering discretion, organization, and proactive solutions that let executives focus on strategy.
Impact in a nutshell
Impact in a nutshell
I help teams bring order to complexity. For over 14 years, I’ve guided professional services, life sciences, engineering, and design‑build organizations toward smoother operations and more aligned projects. Known as the calm centre in fast‑moving environments, I bridge the gap between executives, technical experts, and vendors, turning messy, cross‑functional work into clear plans, realistic timelines, and consistent follow‑through.
I’m an operations professional who leads with clarity, empathy, and organization. I create structure where it’s needed, support collaboration at every level, and keep teams focused on what truly moves the work forward.
Value I Deliver
Value I Deliver
Executive Calendar Mastery: Managed complex C-level schedules across time zones, events, and priorities, ensuring zero conflicts and maximum executive focus.
Office Operations Oversight: Directed day-to-day workflows, vendor relations, equipment/technology coordination, and supplies for 50+ person teams.
Cross-Functional Liaison: Translated between executives, technical experts, staff, and regulators to maintain compliance and drive project momentum.
Proactive Problem Solving: Anticipated needs in fast-paced environments, reducing operational delays by streamlining processes and communications.
Work Experience
Work Experience
Life Sciences, Engineering & Architecture
Life Sciences, Engineering & Architecture
Supported project and office operations for complex, regulated projects in life sciences and design‑build environments.
Partnered with architects, engineers, project managers, and executives to coordinate documentation, timelines, and cross‑functional communication.
Helped keep projects on track through organized workflows, tracking, and calm problem‑solving.
Professional Services / Financial
Professional Services / Financial
Worked within a professional services environment, supporting partners and senior leaders.
Managed scheduling, travel, meetings, and client‑facing logistics.
Gained understanding of compliance, risk awareness, and stakeholder expectations in financial/professional sectors.
Office Management
Office Management
HR Coordination: Manage onboarding/offboarding, payroll processing, employee records, benefits enrollment, and basic conflict resolution to maintain team morale and compliance.
Legal & Compliance: Handle contract reviews with legal counsel, track regulatory filings, and maintain corporate governance documentation.
Facilities & Leasehold Improvements: Oversee office leases/renewals, coordinate build-outs/renovations, vendor contracts for maintenance, and space planning for growing teams.
Building Management: HVAC/plumbing systems, security access, and emergency preparedness (fire drills, first aid kits).
Safety Systems: Conduct safety audits, manage workers' comp claims, and train staff on evacuation procedures and equipment handling.
Project Management & Controls
Supported large-scale A&E design-build projects valued at $300M+, managing budgeting, scheduling, resource allocation, and scope to ensure delivery within performance and quality parameters.
Implemented and maintained project controls including cost tracking, forecasting, and variance analysis to support informed decision-making and financial accountability.
Led proposal and contract management (RFPs/RFQs), developing scopes, cost estimates, and resourcing strategies to secure and execute complex, high-value projects.
Freelance Operations & Support
Freelance Operations & Support
Bookkeeping for a medium‑sized business.
Trade show booth design, sales, and customer service.
Flexible operations and admin support across different teams and industries.
Skills & Expertise
Skills & Expertise
Systems
Systems
Adaptive Insights
Enterprise O365
Google suite
Microsoft Dynamics 365
Microsoft PowerShell & Suite
Near-Field Communications (NFC)
Oracle NetSuite
Sage 300
SAP (CRM, EAM, ERP, BTP)
Skills & Expertise
Skills & Expertise
Operations
Operations
Business Continuity Planning
Corporate Banking
CQV - systems & processes
Document Control
HR
Policy Development
Professional Services
Regulatory Environments
Risk Management
Strategic Planning
Systems Development
Vendor & Contract Management
Skills & Expertise
Skills & Expertise
Software
Software
Aconex
ADP
Asana
JD Edwards EnterpriseOne
Jira
Monday.com
MS Office Suite
Excel, PP, Word, O365
Power BI
Procore
Tableau
Current Impact
Current Impact
Since June 2025, I've provided hands-on operations and financial support to Aunt Beth's Cookies a Shopify-based bakery targeting $1M revenue by Q2 2027. I'm building scalable systems for e-commerce growth: QuickBooks bookkeeping, Shopify email campaigns, trade show booth design/execution and customer service to hit aggressive revenue goals.
Since June 2025, I've provided hands-on operations and financial support to Aunt Beth's Cookies a Shopify-based bakery targeting $1M revenue by Q2 2027. I'm building scalable systems for e-commerce growth: QuickBooks bookkeeping, Shopify email campaigns, trade show booth design/execution and customer service to hit aggressive revenue goals.
Past Impact
Past Impact
Operations
Drove operational excellence across engineering and life sciences firms, managing budgets, facilities, compliance, and cross-functional teams to deliver efficient workflows and strategic growth. Implemented custom Power Apps/Automate solutions and chaired safety/diversity committees to optimize processes and culture.
IPS-Integrated Project Services (2018-2025): Orchestrated Canadian operations scaling from startup to 70 employees, managed financials (Sage 300), IT systems, HR processes, facilities, and leasehold planning while interfacing with senior leadership.
Office & Facilities Leadership: Developed policies, chaired Joint Health & Safety Committee with mental health initiatives, and led Pride Committee diversity efforts, ensuring regulatory compliance and inclusive culture.
Technology Implementation: Created custom document/workflow solutions using Power Apps and Power Automate, plus expertise in SAP (CRM/ERP), Oracle NetSuite, Procore, Microsoft Dynamics 365, and O365.
Sanofi Pasteur (2010-2017): Supported operations for Toronto/Swiftwater regional offices, optimized workflows, led team-building/mentorship programs, and maintained 95% audit success rate.
Budget & Resource Management: Handled CAPEX/OPEX budgets, vendor coordination, international travel, and event planning (AGMs/retreats) with confidentiality and adaptability.
Project Management
Supported complex construction and CAPEX projects totaling hundreds of millions in value, consistently delivering on time through cross-functional coordination and LEAN methodologies.
Lonza Biologics (Portsmouth, NH): Managed RFIs, submittals, transmittals, and schedule delays for Next Generation Mammalian Manufacturing facility, ensured clear communication and documentation across stakeholders.
BWXT ITG Canada (Ottawa, ON): Change Control Leader for FDA-compliant radiopharmaceutical plant detailed design; coordinated Quality teams, tracked as-built drawings, and interpreted policy changes.
Sanofi Pasteur (Swiftwater, PA & Toronto, ON): Administrative Coordinator for 200,000 SF greenfield Bulk Facility and cGMP Seed Lab - handled vendor/contractor visits, training, and preliminary engineering.
Elanco Canada (Charlottetown, PEI): Field validation lead for Media SIP, Buffer Prep expansion, and Fermenter Suite; authored IQ/OQ/PQ protocols and SOPs.
Grant Thornton (National): Project Manager for c-suite strategic travel plan; conducted market analysis, optimized ROI via KPIs, and delivered progress reports.
Team & Stakeholder Management
Team & Stakeholder Management
Excelled in leading diverse teams and managing C-suite to contractor relationships across life sciences and engineering projects, fostering collaboration through mentorship, clear communication, and strategic alignment.
Cross-Functional Leadership: Directed administrative operations for Sanofi Pasteur regional offices (Toronto/Swiftwater), implementing mentorship programs, quarterly off-sites, and team-building that boosted morale and interdepartmental cooperation.
Executive Support & C-Suite Interface: Provided strategic support to IPS leadership while interfacing with senior management - crafted data-driven travel plans and progress reports that aligned with organizational growth objectives.
Stakeholder Coordination: Managed vendor visits, contractor training, and multi-disciplinary teams for Sanofi 200K SF Bulk Facility and Elanco validation projects—ensured seamless communication across Quality, Engineering, and regulatory groups.
Change Management: Led team adoption of new systems (Power Apps/Automate) during IPS rapid growth from 3 to 70 employees, maintaining alignment through clear policy communication and training.
Culture Building: Chaired Pride Committee and Joint Health & Safety Committee at IPS, driving diversity initiatives and mental health programs that strengthened team cohesion and workplace safety.
Bringing fresh skills + 14 years experience to your organization
What I'm Learning
What I'm Learning
CS50 (Harvard) - Building coding fundamentals.
AI for Business Operations - Learning tools to streamline admin, compliance tracking, and stakeholders.
In March 2025, I stepped away from full‑time employment to take on a family caregiving role, which has now ended. During this period, I’ve stayed connected to the business world through freelance work. This experience strengthened my adaptability, empathy, and resilience, and I’m now actively seeking new opportunities where I can bring that perspective back into operations and project work.
In March 2025, I stepped away from full‑time employment to take on a family caregiving role, which has now ended. During this period, I’ve stayed connected to the business world through freelance work. This experience strengthened my adaptability, empathy, and resilience, and I’m now actively seeking new opportunities where I can bring that perspective back into operations and project work.
Today, I’m looking for a role where I can be the steady operations and project partner that helps teams do their best work, especially in complex, regulated, and cross‑functional environments.
Based in Toronto's Cabbagetown. Available now for operations and project support.
Today, I’m looking for a role where I can be the steady operations and project partner that helps teams do their best work, especially in complex, regulated, and cross‑functional environments.
Based in Toronto's Cabbagetown. Available now for operations and project support.
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