The QCBS, based at McGill University, is co-directed by Andrew Gonzalez and Étienne Laliberté, 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.

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 (2021) composed of the following representatives:

• The QCBS co-directors, Étienne Laliberté and Andrew Gonzalez
• The associate director, Philippe Auzel
• Representatives of each QCBS geopoles. Currently (2020), these are:
  • Pierre-Luc Chagnon (UdeM)
  • Denis Réale (UQAM)
  • France Dufresne (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 (2021), the science directors are:

• Axis 1: Anne Bruneau and Jérôme Théau
• Axis 2: Fanie Pelletier  and Guillaume Blanchet
• Axis 3: Laura Pollock and Timothée Poisot
• Axis 4: Katja Neves and Jean François Bissonnette

Dominique Gravel is also on the executive committee as the representative of the Quebec Biodiversity Observation Network (Quebec BON).

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 (2020) 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)