Innovation & Co-creation Specialist

Grand River Hospital; Kitchener; On-site; CAD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare organization is seeking an Innovation & Co-Creation Specialist to drive collaborative projects aimed at transforming healthcare delivery. This role involves engaging with diverse stakeholders to design innovative solutions that enhance patient care and system efficiency. The ideal candidate will possess strong facilitation skills and a background in human-centred design or healthcare innovation. Join us to contribute to a future-ready health system that prioritizes equity and community engagement.

Qualifications

• Experience in healthcare innovation, digital health, or health system transformation.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills.

Responsibilities

• Co-lead collaborative innovation projects from concept to implementation.
• Design and facilitate workshops with diverse stakeholders.
• Ensure projects align with health equity and digital transformation goals.

Skills

Communication

Stakeholder Engagement

Facilitation

Project Coordination

Design Thinking

Education

Bachelor’s degree in human-centred design

Master’s degree

Job description

Work Type: Full Time Innovation & Co-Creation Specialist

Location: WRHN @ Midtown (formerly Grand River Hospital, KW Campus)

Home to seven regional programs and comprehensive health-care services, Waterloo Regional Health Network (WRHN, pronounced wren) is committed to meeting the current and emerging needs in Waterloo-Wellington and beyond.

WRHN is redefining the health-care experience through collaboration and innovation, addressing barriers to access, advancing care delivery, and setting new standards in compassionate, empowered community-driven health care.

At WRHN, every patient is at the centre of everything we do as we strive to improve lives, inspire healing, and build healthier, stronger communities. By listening to patients and partners, we strive to connect communities to the right care, at the right place, and at the right time.

Please Note: New employees must provide documentation/proof of COVID-19 vaccination status, a 2-step TB test, as well as proof of immunity to measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (chickenpox) prior to their start date at Waterloo Regional Health Network (WRHN). New Employees will require clearance from Employee Health, Safety and Wellness before they are able to begin any position within WRHN.

Position Summary

The Waterloo Regional Health Network (WRHN), in collaboration with the University of Waterloo and strategic partners, is establishing CareNext—an ambitious innovation and transformation initiative designed to shape the future of healthcare through co-development, real-world testing, and systems-level collaboration. CareNext bridges clinical, academic, community, and commercial ecosystems to identify challenges and co-create meaningful solutions.

Reporting to the Director of Innovation and guided by the Vice President of Innovation and Chief Health Innovation Officer, the Innovation & Co-Creation Specialist will play a critical role in designing and executing collaborative innovation projects. This role will support CareNext’s transformation goals by facilitating inclusive innovation processes, connecting interdisciplinary teams, and leading creative problem-solving efforts that align with operational realities and future system needs.

This first-of-its-kind role is ideal for someone with entrepreneurial instincts, systems awareness, and strong facilitation skills. It will help shape the next generation of healthcare innovation work, contributing to the design of new models, professions, and policies that support a more responsive, equitable, and future-ready health system

Responsibilities

Project Leadership

• Co-lead the design, planning, and delivery of collaborative innovation projects from concept to implementation
• Translate complex health system challenges into actionable project plans that centre lived experience, clinical insight, and real-world impact
• Apply systems thinking and creative design methodologies to support transformative, equity-driven solutions
• Manage interdisciplinary working groups, ensuring alignment, clarity, and accountability across all stages of project cycles
  
  

Facilitation & Stakeholder Engagement

• Design and facilitate workshops, co-creation sprints, design jams, and showcases with a range of stakeholders, including patients, clinicians, startups, researchers, policymakers, and community leaders
• Create psychologically safe and inclusive spaces for ideation, feedback, and rapid iteration
• Support storytelling, communication, and knowledge mobilization for CareNext initiatives
• Present work to internal and external audiences, including companies, executive leadership, funders, and community forums
  
  

Strategic Alignment & System Integration

• Ensure CareNext projects align with broader strategic objectives, including health equity, workforce development, digital transformation, and policy advancement
• Collaborate with the University of Waterloo on embedding research, student talent, and evaluation practices into innovation activities
• Surface opportunities for new workforce roles, practice changes, and policy recommendations as part of co-creation activities
• Support development of new governance and engagement structures to sustain transformation efforts
  
  

Position Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in human-centred design, systems design, social innovation, UX, healthcare innovation, or a related field
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills
• Seasoned practitioner of design thinking and user experience research and design
• A Master’s degree is considered an asset.
• Experience in healthcare innovation, digital health, or health system transformation.
• Demonstrated experience with workshop facilitation, stakeholder engagement, and project coordination.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Detail-oriented with the ability to prioritize tasks and manage multiple deadlines.
• Experience working with diverse partners, including clinicians, startups, and research institutions.
  
  

Application Instructions

EMPLOYEES OF LEGACY ST. MARY’S GENERAL HOSPITAL ARE REQUIRED TO SUBMIT THEIR APPLICATION ELECTRONICALLY USING INFOR.

As per the collective agreement, the internal recruitment process will be completed prior to the consideration of external applications.

Waterloo Regional Health Centre is committed to fair and equitable employment and in our recruitment and selection practices. We strongly believe in inclusion and diversity within our organization, and welcome all applicants including, but not limited to racialized communities, all religions and ethnicities, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ2S+ persons, Indigenous people, and all others who may contribute to the further diversification of our Hospital community. We are committed to providing and fostering a respectful workplace for all employees, free from violence and harassment.

Accommodations are available during all stages of the recruitment process in accordance with the Human Rights Code. WRHN is committed to complying with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) to provide an inclusive, barrier free workplace. We will accommodate the accessibility needs of individuals with disabilities to support participation in all aspects of the recruitment process. Should you require this accommodation, please contact Human Resources.

International Applicants

If you are seeking employment on a temporary work or study permit we recommend reviewing work permit restrictions as it applies to healthcare organizations in Canada. Individuals holding a work or study permit seeking employment in the healthcare sector may be required to complete additional steps in the process. This may also apply to current employees seeking renewal of their work permits. It is the accountability of the applicant and/or employee to ensure they are adhering to their specific work permit restrictions.

We would like to thank all candidates in advance for their interest and only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. Due to the volume of applications, we receive, we are unable to confirm the receipt of individual applications or resumes.