Innovation & Co-Creation Associate

Grand River Hospital; Kitchener; On-site; CAD 52,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Grand River Hospital in Ontario is recruiting an Innovation & Co-Creation Associate to join CareNext’s cross‑functional team. You will design collaborative projects, translate health system challenges into actionable plans, and foster inclusive, equity‑driven innovation with clinicians, researchers, startups, and community leaders.

Reporting to the Innovation leadership, you will facilitate workshops, co‑creation sprints, and showcases, contributing to a more equitable, future‑ready health

Qualifications

• 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.
• Experience in healthcare innovation, digital health, or health system transformation is an asset.

Responsibilities

• With the project lead, support the design, planning, and delivery of collaborative innovation projects from concept to implementation.
• Translate complex health system challenges into actionable project plans that centre on lived experience, clinical insight, and real‑world impact.
• Apply systems thinking and creative design methodologies to support transformative, equity‑driven solutions.
• Contribute to interdisciplinary working groups to ensure alignment, clarity, and accountability across all stages of project cycles.
• With direction from the VP and Manager, design and facilitate workshops, co‑creation sprints, design jams, and showcases with stakeholders.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Stakeholder engagement

Design thinking

UX research

Workshop facilitation

Time management

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

Welcome to health care that soars above. Welcome to WRHN.

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.

Position

Full Time- Innovation & Co-Creation Associate

Hours of Work

MONDAY - FRIDAY

Job Summary

The Waterloo Regional Health Network (WRHN), in collaboration with the University of Waterloo and strategic partners, has established 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 Manager of Innovation and guided by the Vice President of Innovation and AI Strategy 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 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

• With the project lead, support the design, planning, and delivery of collaborative innovation projects from concept to implementation


• With the project team, translate complex health system challenges into actionable project plans that centre on lived experience, clinical insight, and real‑world impact


• Apply systems thinking and creative design methodologies to support transformative, equity‑driven solutions


• Contribute to interdisciplinary working groups to ensure alignment, clarity, and accountability across all stages of project cycles


• With direction from the VP and Manager, 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


• Support CareNext projects to 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

Qualifications

• 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


• Experience in healthcare innovation, digital health, or health system transformation is considered an asset


• 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

Location

CA:ON:Kitchener

Salary

CAD 37.60-45.17

Posting Date

10/02/2026

Application Notes

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.

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