Lead, System Strategy, Planning, Design & Implementation (Northwest)

Ontario Health; Northwestern Ontario; On-site; CAD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health coverage

Wellness spending accounts

Pension plan

Vacation entitlement

Personal days

Career development

Job summary

Ontario Health is seeking a Lead for the North West System Strategy, Planning, Design and Implementation team based in Thunder Bay, Ontario. This permanent full-time role focuses on Northwestern Ontario and requires strong leadership in population health planning and regional integration.

You will engage diverse stakeholders, translate priorities into regional action, and design clinical standards and pathways to improve capacity, performance, and health outcomes.

Qualifications

• Post-secondary/Master’s degree in health administration, health planning, business administration, or a relevant field.
• Minimum of five years’ experience working in the health care system.
• Strong understanding of the health care system and continuum of care, including integration priorities.
• Strategic and systems thinking with ability to translate goals into actionable plans.
• Excellent analytical, written, and facilitation skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead regional health-system planning and integration initiatives to translate strategic priorities into measurable results.
• Use population health, financial, quality, and performance data to identify service gaps and evaluate programs.
• Build trusted partnerships with health service providers, government, Ontario Health Teams, and related sectors.
• Guide complex initiatives through clear communication and collaborative problem solving with senior leaders.
• Develop strategic and operational plans aligned with Northwestern Ontario’s needs.
• Monitor funding, contracts, risks, and performance indicators to support accountability.
• Present evidence-based recommendations and support timely decisions in a fast-paced environment.
• Mentor colleagues and contribute to a high-performing team.

Job description

Pour obtenir une traduction en français de l’offre d’emploi suivante, veuillez envoyer un courriel à [e-mail]. Les demandes seront traitées dans un délai de trois jours ouvrables et la période de dépôt des demandes sera prolongée de trois jours. To obtain a French translation of the following job posting, please email [e-mail]. Requests will be addressed within three business days, and the application window will be extended by three business days. 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

• Comprehensive health coverage from day one, with fully paid medical, dental, and vision benefits to support you and your family’s health
• Flexible health care or wellness spending accounts, plus an inclusive program to support your overall well-being
• A premium defined benefit pension plan, ensuring long-term financial security
• Competitive vacation entitlement that encourages time to rest and recharge
• Three personal days and two float days annually, providing added flexibility to support work-life balance, in addition to vacation days
• Ongoing learning and career development opportunities designed to help you grow, advance, and thrive in your profession
• A collaborative, values-driven workplace where integrity, care, humility, inspiration, and tenacity shape everything we do
• Opportunities to participate in Communities of Inclusion, fostering belonging, equity, and the sharing of diverse perspectives across our team

The North West System Strategy, Planning, Design and Implementation team shapes population health planning across Northwestern Ontario, advancing integrated care, Ontario Health Teams, system capacity, and coordinated services across the continuum of care. Integrated care, Ontario Health Team implementation, and system capacity planning. Mental health and addictions, chronic disease management, and acute care. Seniors, palliative care, community and primary care, and people living with disabilities. As Lead, you will turn Ontario Health and Ministry priorities into regional action. You will lead stakeholder engagement, use data to identify opportunities, and design and implement clinical standards, programs, and pathways that improve capacity, performance, and health outcomes. Through strong partnerships with providers and system leaders, you will guide complex change and evaluate results using meaningful performance measures. This regional role focuses on the needs of Northwestern Ontario and reports to the Director, System Strategy, Planning, Design and Implementation, North West.

Here is what you will be doing

• Lead regional health-system planning and integration initiatives that translate strategic priorities into measurable results.
• Use population health, financial, quality, and performance data to identify service gaps, evaluate programs, and recommend practical solutions.
• Build trusted partnerships with health service providers, government, Ontario Health Teams, and related sectors to advance integrated, sustainable care.
• Guide complex initiatives through clear communication, effective facilitation, and collaborative problem‑solving with senior leaders and diverse stakeholders.
• Develop strategic and operational plans that align provincial direction with the unique needs of Northwestern Ontario.
• Monitor funding, contracts, risks, and performance indicators to support accountability and continuous improvement.
• Present evidence‑based recommendations, anticipate emerging issues, and support timely decisions in a fast‑paced environment.
• Mentor colleagues and contribute to a collaborative, high‑performing team focused on better health outcomes and experiences.

Here is what you will need to be successful

• Education and Experience: Post‑secondary/Master’s degree in health administration, health planning, business administration, or a relevant field, combined with a minimum of five years’ experience working in the health care system.
• Knowledge and Skills:
  • Strong understanding of the health care system and continuum of care, including integration priorities such as Ontario Health Teams, current and evolving Ontario health‑care dynamics and issues, and the hospital‑and community‑to‑long‑term‑care flow environment and related policies; experience in the latter is an asset.
  • Strategic and systems thinking, with the ability to translate broad goals into detailed strategic and operational plans.
  • Knowledge of and proven ability to apply multiple planning and analysis methodologies, use information to make informed decisions, provide advice, develop effective recommendations, and exercise a high degree of independence and professional judgment in problem‑solving.
  • Excellent analytical and problem‑solving skills, with strong attention to detail and demonstrated integrity and professionalism.
  • Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal, and facilitation skills to collaborate with staff, colleagues across Ontario Health, senior leaders, the Ministry, and diverse stakeholders across the health continuum.
  • Ability to present and discuss financial management and funding information and issues, communicate directly with external stakeholders, monitor funding allocations and performance, and lead system planning and improvement discussions.
  • Demonstrated financial competence and a solid understanding of financial controls.
  • Understanding of and experience embedding quality improvement initiatives.
  • Highly organized and able to thrive in a fast‑paced environment with multiple priorities.

Location: Thunder Bay, ON Employment Type: Permanent Full time Contract Length: N/A Salary Band: Band 6 External Application Deadline Date: October 8, 2026 All applicants must be a resident of Ontario to be considered for roles at Ontario Health.

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 [e-mail] and a member of the team will connect with you within 48 hours.

Ontario Health is the provincial agency responsible for ensuring Ontarians receive high‑quality health care services where and when they need them. Since it was established in June2019, Ontario Health has brought together the strengths of many existing health care organizations to work together to build a better health care system for all Ontarians. Building on the expertise and knowledge of our people, we are committed to applying the best of what we collectively do, and in partnership with others, to transform the health system and improve the quality and delivery of care for patients, families, and health care providers.