Director of Operations, Research and Innovation Cores

University Health Network; Toronto; On-site; CAD 130,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

University Health Network (UHN) is seeking a Director of Operations for Research & Innovation Cores at Toronto General Hospital. You will lead strategic and operational directions for core facilities, drive scalable business models and innovative initiatives, and oversee comprehensive operations across diverse scientific units.

The role requires strong strategic thinking, stakeholder engagement, and the ability to translate high-level research strategy into structured, actionable plans that

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree or recognized equivalent is required.
• Strong strategic, analytical, and systems-thinking capabilities.
• Ability to create structure, alignment, and momentum in complex, fast-moving environments.
• Exceptional stakeholder engagement across scientific, clinical, academic, and corporate environments.
• Knowledge of healthcare/research systems, funding environments, and commercialization pathways is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic and operational direction of UHN Research & Innovation Cores, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities and long-term sustainability.
• Oversee business operations across the core facilities portfolio, including service delivery, client experience, process optimization, and operational performance.
• Develop scalable operational models, workflows, and systems that support growth, efficiency, and consistency across diverse scientific and business units.
• Translate strategic priorities into actionable plans, measurable objectives, and sustainable business practices.
• Lead business development initiatives, including market expansion, partnership development, service positioning, and diversification of revenue streams.
• Oversee innovation initiatives that improve operational effectiveness, resource utilization, and organizational scalability.
• Lead financial and operational planning, including budgeting, forecasting, performance monitoring, and resource allocation.
• Provide leadership on contracts and business agreements, ensuring alignment with institutional policies, risk management requirements, and organizational objectives.
• Build and lead a multidisciplinary team spanning operations, business development, finance, marketing, and innovation.
• Collaborate with scientific leaders, institutional stakeholders, and external partners to advance the impact, sustainability, and competitiveness of UHN Research & Innovation Cores.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Analytical skills

Systems thinking

Stakeholder engagement

Influence / leadership by influence

Business acumen

Education

Bachelor Degree

Job description

Company Description

UHN is Canada’s #1 hospital and the world’s #1 publicly funded hospital. With 10 sites and more than 44,000 TeamUHN members, UHN consists of Toronto General Hospital, Toronto Western Hospital, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, The Michener Institute of Education and West Park Healthcare Centre. As Canada's top research hospital, the scope of biomedical research and complexity of cases at UHN have made it a national and international source for discovery, education and patient care. UHN has the largest hospital-based research program in Canada, with major research in neurosciences, cardiology, transplantation, oncology, surgical innovation, infectious diseases, genomic medicine and rehabilitation medicine. UHN is a research hospital affiliated with the University of Toronto.

UHN’s vision is to build A Healthier World and it’s only because of the talented and dedicated people who work here that we are continually bringing that vision closer to reality.

www.uhn.ca

Job Description

Union: Non Union
Number of vacancies: 1
New or Replacement Position: Replacement
Site: Toronto General Hospital
Department: Research
Reports to: Executive Director, Theranostics and Core Facilities
Salary Range: $129,649 - $179,649
Hours: 37.5 per week
Shifts: Days
Status: Permanent Full Time
Closing Date: October 2. 2026

Position Summary

The Director, Operations, Research & Innovation Cores provides strategic and operational leadership for UHN's portfolio of research and innovation core facilities, serving internal investigators and external partners across industry, academia, and healthcare. This role sits at the intersection of business development, operations, and innovation, driving revenue-generating activities, optimizing service delivery, and advancing UHN's research mission.

The Director leads the development of scalable business models, operational systems, client engagement strategies, and innovation initiatives that strengthen UHN's research enterprise and global competitiveness. Success in this role requires the ability to navigate complexity, align diverse stakeholders, and translate ambitious strategic objectives into practical, sustainable solutions.

The ideal candidate enjoys building systems, solving organizational challenges, leading through influence, and creating structure in dynamic and evolving environments.

In one sentence: A strategically-minded, system-building operator who thrives in ambiguity, orchestrates complex stakeholders, and translates high-level research strategy into structured, scalable execution.

Duties :

• - Lead the strategic and operational direction of UHN Research & Innovation Cores, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities and long-term sustainability.
• - Oversee business operations across the core facilities portfolio, including service delivery, client experience, process optimization, and operational performance.
• - Develop scalable operational models, workflows, and systems that support growth, efficiency, and consistency across diverse scientific and business units.
• - Translate strategic priorities into actionable plans, measurable objectives, and sustainable business practices.
• - Lead business development initiatives, including market expansion, partnership development, service positioning, and diversification of revenue streams.
• - Oversee innovation initiatives that improve operational effectiveness, resource utilization, and organizational scalability.
• - Lead financial and operational planning, including budgeting, forecasting, performance monitoring, and resource allocation.
• - Provide leadership on contracts and business agreements, ensuring alignment with institutional policies, risk management requirements, and organizational objectives.
• - Build and lead a multidisciplinary team spanning operations, business development, finance, marketing, and innovation.
• - Collaborate with scientific leaders, institutional stakeholders, and external partners to advance the impact, sustainability, and competitiveness of UHN Research & Innovation Cores.

Qualifications

• - Completion of a Bachelor Degree; or recognized equivalent
• - Strong strategic, analytical, and systems-thinking capabilities.
• - Demonstrated ability to create structure, alignment, and momentum in complex, fast-moving environments.
• - Exceptional stakeholder engagement and influencing skills across scientific, clinical, academic, and corporate environments.
• - Proven track record translatingcomplex research capabilities into sustainable business models, partnerships, and operational solutions.
• - Strong business acumen, including financial planning, operational optimization, and business development.
• - Ability to lead through influence, manage competing priorities, and drive organizational change.
• - Knowledge of healthcare/research systems, funding environments, and commercialization pathways is an asset.
• - Background in science and/or contract, legal, or regulatory environments is considered a strong asset.

Additional Information

Why Join UHN?

In addition to working alongside some of the most talented and inspiring healthcare professionals in the world, UHN offers a wide range of benefits, programs and perks. It is the comprehensiveness of these offerings that makes it a differentiating factor, allowing you to find value where it matters most to you, now and throughout your career at UHN.

• - Competitive offer packages
• - Government organization and a member of the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP https://hoopp.com/)
• - Close access to Transit and UHN shuttle service
• - A flexible work environment
• - Opportunities for development and promotions within a large organization
• - Additional perks (multiple corporate discounts including: travel, restaurants, parking, phone plans, auto insurance discounts, on-site gyms, etc.)

Current UHN employees must have successfully completed their probationary period, have a good employee record along with satisfactory attendance in accordance with UHN's attendance management program, to be eligible for consideration.

All applications must be submitted before the posting close date.

UHN uses email to communicate with selected candidates. Please ensure you check your email regularly.At University Health Network (UHN), artificial intelligence technologies may be used to assist in the screening, assessment, and selection of candidates for this position.

Please be advised that a Criminal Record Check may be required of the successful candidate. Should it be determined that any information provided by a candidate be misleading, inaccurate or incorrect, UHN reserves the right to discontinue with the consideration of their application.

UHN is an equal opportunity employer committed to an inclusive recruitment process and workplace. Requests for accommodation can be made at any stage of the recruitment process. Applicants need to make their requirements known.

We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.