The QCBS, based at McGill University, is directed by Andrew Gonzalez, with support from the executive committee.  The executive committee is a decision-making body that makes decisions on QCBS operations. The scientific directors guide the QCBS research program, and promote research and training within each axis, while the external advisory committee provides advice to the QCBS, and the engagement committee facilitates the involvement of non-academic stakeholders.

The role of the executive committee, a decision-making body,  is to support the director, for example by adopting the program developed by the scientific council; validating the annual budget; following up on resolutions adopted at the general assembly; participating in the hiring process of staff and endorsing the decisions of the funding review scientific committees. It is currently (2018) composed of the following representatives:

• The QCBS Director
• The Director of Operations
• Representatives of each QCBS geopoles. Currently (2018), these are:
  • Etienne Laliberté (UdeM)
  • Clint Kelly (UQAM)
  • Piero Calosi (UQAR)
  • Monique Poulin (Laval)
  • Dany Garant (Sherbrooke)
  • Jochen Jaeger (Concordia)
  • TBA (McGill).
• The research axis Scientific Directors (see below)
• Two representatives of students and postdoctoral fellow

The scientific programming is structured around four research axes. A scientific director who sits on the executive committee coordinates each of these axes.Currently (2018), the science directors are:

• Axis 1: Jade Savage (U. Bishop’s) and Kyle Elliott (McGill U.)
• Axis 2: Mathieu Cusson (UQAC) and Alison Munson (U. Laval)
• Axis 3: Monique Poulin (U. Laval) and Jérôme Dupras (UQO)
• Axis 4: Jaye Ellis (McGill U.) and Thora Herrmann (UdeM)

 The engagement committee advises the executive committee to facilitate the involvement of non-academic stakeholders in the QCBS. Currently (2018), it is composed of:

• Pascal Bigras & Mme Karine Lehoux (Nature-Action Québec)
• Joël Bonin (Conservation de la nature Canada | Région du Québec)
• Isabelle Lombardo (Direction du développement durable et de la veille stratégique, Ministère de l’Économie, de la Science et de l’Innovation)
• Hélène Lauzon (Conseil patronal de l’environnement du Québec)
• Vincent Moreau & Isabelle Lessard (Regroupement national des conseils régionaux de l’environnement) 
• Sabrina Courant (Ministère du développement durable, environnement et lutte contre les changements climatiques)
• Isabelle Bergeron & Danielle St-Pierre (Ministère des Forêts, de la Faune et des Parcs)

The advisory committee provides advice and guidance to the QCBS. The advisory committee consists of at least five individuals with extensive experience and an international reputation in the field of biodiversity science. They agree to provide advice on a voluntary basis. It is currently (2018) composed of five members:

• Madhur Anand (U. of Guelph)
• Sarah Otto (UBC Vancouver)
• Marie-Josée Fortin (U. of Toronto)
• Kevin McCann (U. of Guelph)
• Douglas W. Morris (Lakehead U.)
• Jeremy Kerr (University of Ottawa)