Job Type: Permanent Full Time
Posting Closes: January 20, 2025
At Ontario Health, we are committed to developing a strong organizational culture that connects and inspires all team members across the province. Our vision is that together, we will be a leader in health and wellness for all. Our mission is to connect the health system to drive improved and equitable health outcomes, experiences and value. How we work together is reflected through our five values: integrity, inspiration, tenacity, humility and care.
What Ontario Health offers:
Achieving your career goals is a priority to us. Benefits of working at Ontario Health may include the following based on employment type:
- Fully paid medical, dental and vision coverage from your first day
- A health care spending account
- A premium defined benefit pension plan
- Three personal days and two float days annually
- Three weeks’ vacation to start (for individual contributors), increasing to four weeks after two years
- Career development opportunities
- A collaborative values-based team culture
- A wellness program
- A hybrid working model
- Participation in Communities of Inclusion
Want to make a difference in your career? Consider this opportunity.
The Provincial Coordinated Access system for mental health and addiction (MHA) services is a key initiative led by Ontario Health’s Mental Health and Addictions Centre of Excellence (MHA CoE). This system aims to provide seamless, equitable, and timely access to the right MHA care for those in need. It aligns with the Government’s Roadmap to Wellness, the Ministry’s MHA strategy and Ontario Health’s Annual Business Plan. The Coordinated Access system integrates existing provincial and regional assets and supports broader health system transformation through collaboration and innovation.
As the Lead, Coordinated Access, you will play a critical role in designing, implementing, and optimizing the regional coordinated access model, helping to ensure that the system meets the needs of individuals seeking mental health and addiction services. You will bring your expertise and insights to improve the mental well-being of Ontarians by developing strategies and processes that align with regional priorities and Ontario Health’s vision. Your role will involve close collaboration with key system partners—patients, caregivers, health service providers, Ontario Health Teams, and government bodies—to facilitate the successful implementation of MHA strategies and ensure the system operates efficiently and effectively.
In this position, you will manage complex, multi-workstream projects, ensuring they are delivered on time, within budget, and with high-quality standards. You will assess and mitigate project risks while fostering an environment that supports professional development and team performance. Additionally, you will work closely with senior leaders and other internal and external partners to ensure alignment with the MHA CoE and Ontario Health’s strategic goals. Through strong relationship management and effective communication, you will ensure that coordinated access initiatives remain transparent, consistent, and compliant with regional and organizational objectives, driving the success of Ontario Health’s MHA transformation efforts.
Please note that the role is regional in nature and pertinent to the needs of the region. We are currently recruiting for multiple roles across all regions of Ontario Health, such as:
- Central Region – Mississauga, Brampton, Barrie, Markham, Newmarket
- Toronto Region – Toronto
- East Region – Pickering, Ajax, Whitby, Oshawa, Belleville, Kingston, Ottawa
- West Region – Hamilton, Kitchener-Waterloo, London, Sarnia, Chatham, Owen Sound
- Northwest Region – Thunder Bay
- Northeast Region – North Bay, Timmins, Sault Ste. Marie, Sudbury
Here is what you will be doing:
Project & Program Management
- Conduct overall MHA CA project management, planning, and reporting, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities.
- Plan and lead regional projects related to mental health and addictions system planning, policy development, and performance management, collaborating with health system administrators, clinical experts, health service providers, Ontario Health Teams, and internal partners across Ontario Health.
- Supports all aspect of assigned projects as project manager including: monitoring/tracking milestones/deliverables; ensuring activities are executed and delivered within schedule/budget; and supporting budget developments.
- Support regional governance and oversight models while liaising with the Mental Health and Addictions Centre of Excellence (MHA CoE) and provincial governance structures to ensure effective project execution.
- Facilitate all aspects of program management, including system partner engagement, driving agendas, and supporting quality improvement strategies.
- Lead implementation and change management activities, ensuring successful adoption of initiatives within regional frameworks.
System Partner Engagement & Relationship Management
- Support system partner engagement efforts, ensuring effective communication and collaboration with providers, people with lived experience, and other system partners.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with key system partners, fostering a positive and collaborative work environment that supports the achievement of program goals.
- Facilitate alignment and collaboration amongst Ontario Health Regions (e.g., community of practice) to ensure shared learning and consistency in approaches.
- Support regional engagement efforts with community partners, including Indigenous communities, to support cultural competency and share leading practices.
- Support representation of Ontario Health on regional and provincial committees, contributing to the development of initiatives for integrated and quality patient care.
Strategic Advice & Expertise
- Develop subject matter expertise in clinical and/or health system areas related to mental health and addictions and provide expert strategic advice on system planning and policy development.
- Collaborate with various system partners (e.g., subject matter experts, providers, people with lived experience, administrators) to achieve consensus and foster understanding of plans and policies.
- Monitor evidence, conduct jurisdictional scans, and review literature to inform best practices and system improvements.
- Provide support to senior management by identifying the impact of proposed changes and contributing to Ontario Health and Ministry reporting.
Financial & Performance Management
- Working with Performance and Accountability team on management of implementation and operating budgets, identifying ongoing funding needs and ensuring financial accountability.
- Develop and implement performance monitoring and management processes to measure the effectiveness of Coordinated Access and other mental health and addictions programs.
- Ensure alignment between regional and provincial priorities and timelines, coordinating efforts to achieve strategic objectives.
Team Support
- Lead the development and optimization of internal business processes and manage project documentation to ensure efficient workflows.
- Promote a team environment, emphasizing collaboration, shared objectives, and fostering high levels of engagement and morale.
Change Management & Reporting
- Identify and address project risks and issues, escalating as needed to ensure timely resolution.
- Manage projects of high priority and complexity, ensuring successful delivery within scope, schedule, and budget constraints.
- Develop and present materials for project updates and informational purposes, using clear and effective communication skills.
- Promote a team environment, emphasizing collaboration, shared objectives, and fostering high levels of engagement and morale.
Here is what you will need to be successful:
Education and Experience
- Post-secondary degree (master’s degree preferred) in health administration, health planning, business administration, research, or a relevant field, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience
- 3-5 years of experience in complex and dynamic healthcare environments, in the public, and/or private sectors, focusing on healthcare service delivery management
- 3-5 years of relevant project management experience leading projects in a healthcare environment, including at least three (3) years leading key projects and initiatives and/or health systems planning
- Experience leading and enabling small to medium-scale strategic projects, preferably in the mental health and addictions field
- Experience in risk management, evaluating outcomes and adjusting strategies accordingly to correct direction and ensure successful project delivery
- Experience with qualitative and quantitative analysis, including conducting systematic literature reviews
- Project Management certification an asset
- Change management certification an asset
- Lean certification an asset
- Demonstrated successful project management and change management experience
- French is an asset
Knowledge and Skills
- Knowledge of the evolving role of Ontario Health, and the issues and priorities within the healthcare sector and how these impact service delivery and patient/provider experience
- Knowledge of the Ontario health and social services system, project management, best practices in quality improvement, and performance management
- Knowledge of Communities of Practice, including performance evaluation, indicator development, and performance measurement
- Knowledge of mental health and addictions navigation, and/or centralized/coordinated access services/programs (asset)
- Knowledge of digital health initiatives (asset)
- Strong planning and project management skills, with the ability to execute multiple large-scale, complex, high-risk projects and prioritize tasks in dynamic environments
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to evaluate alternatives, make decisions, and implement innovative solutions to complex problems
- Proven ability to analyze and interpret complex information, providing clarity and delivering solutions that meet program needs
- Change management expertise, with the ability to drive positive change, hold self and others accountable, and effectively manage risk
- Excellent interpersonal, decision-making, and facilitation skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with senior management, clinicians, external healthcare organizations, and customers/vendors
- Proven ability to lead staff in a project environment and work collaboratively in multi-disciplinary teams
- Ability to develop relationships with key system partners, establishing trust, credibility, and respect, and managing relationship dynamics effectively
- Eagerness to collaborate across regions and departments to advance project objectives and support team development
- Excellent communication skills, including the ability to develop policies, knowledge transfer tools, project materials, and deliver presentations to executive-level audiences
- Demonstrated mentorship and leadership skills, including motivating staff, effective team-building, and guiding teams toward achieving outcomes with tact and diplomacy
- Demonstrated passion for advancing healthcare within the context of system-wide strategy and using a health equity lens
All applicants must be a resident of Ontario to be considered for roles at Ontario Health.
To apply, please visit www.ontariohealth.ca/careers/Lead, Coordinated Access.
Ontario Health encourages applications from candidates who are First Nations, Métis, Inuit, and urban Indigenous; Francophone; members of Black and racialized groups; 2SLGBTQIA+ communities; trans and nonbinary individuals; and people living with disabilities.
Ontario Health is an accessible employer, and we offer accommodation in all aspects of employment, including the recruitment process. If you require a disability related accommodation in order to participate in the recruitment process, please email careers@ontariohealth.ca and a member of the team will connect with you within 48 hours.