Senior Medical Officer & Deputy Chief of Staff (RPT 0.6 FTE)

The Royal Mental Health Centre; Ottawa; On-site; CAD 200,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading academic mental health centre in Ottawa is seeking a Senior Medical Officer to lead clinical transformations and strategic improvements in patient care. The ideal candidate is a licensed psychiatrist with extensive experience in clinical leadership and governance. This role involves fostering partnerships, advancing quality standards, and modernizing medical leadership in a collaborative environment. Competitive salary and benefits offered.

Qualifications

• 10 to 15 years of clinical experience in mental health.
• At least 5 years in a senior leadership role.
• Ability to lead through influence and build trust.
• Experience in supporting medical education.

Responsibilities

• Drive clinical transformation and service renewal.
• Strengthen partnerships within the healthcare system.
• Lead modernization of medical leadership.
• Advance academic and research alignment.
• Implement technology and quality standards.

Skills

Clinical leadership

Operational governance

Collaboration

Patient-centered care

Quality and safety advancement

Education

Licensed psychiatrist in Ontario

10-15 years clinical experience

Job description

Reporting to the Chief of Staff, with a secondary advisory relationship to the President and CEO, the Senior Medical Officer (SMO) is the most senior operational physician leader at The Royal and a key member of the Senior Leadership Team. This newly created position brings together clinical credibility, operational leadership, and system integration at a pivotal moment for mental health care in Ontario.

The SMO will drive the advancement of a high-performing, collaborative, and accountable medical culture across The Royal. Working closely with three future Medical Directors and the Senior Vice President of Patient Care Services, the SMO will lead strategic improvements in clinical quality, physician engagement, medical education, and patient safety. The SMO will also help optimize the rollout of a new Health Information System (EPIC), modernize medical governance, and foster deeper integration between care, research, and education.

This is a rare opportunity to join a dynamic leadership team and shape the future of a leading academic mental health centre, strengthening partnerships, driving innovation, and advancing excellence in care.

Key Leadership Priorities

• Drive clinical transformation and service renewal: Champion care redesign that improves access, supports accountability and interprofessional collaboration, and better reflects the needs of patients, families, and communities.
• Strengthen system partnerships: Build clear care pathways with hospitals, primary care, and community agencies to support integrated mental health care across the region
• Lead the modernization of medical leadership: Support a cohesive, high-performing medical leadership team, with a strong focus on performance, professionalism, and shared purpose.
• Advance academic and research alignment: Foster stronger collaboration with the University of Ottawa and The Royals Institute of Mental Health Research to support research, innovation and education.
• Implement technology and quality standards: Ensure the successful adoption and sustainment of EPIC, while advancing data-informed decision-making and consistent clinical standards.
• Support a culture of learning and continuous improvement: Create an inclusive, forward-thinking environment where medical staff are supported in their growth and where interprofessional collaboration thrives.

The Person

• You are a psychiatrist licensed or eligible for a license with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario, with 10 to 15 years of clinical experience in the mental health field and at least five years in a senior leadership role. You bring:
• A track record of advancing quality, safety, and clinical innovation in complex healthcare environments
• Operational and governance experience in mental health, including inpatient and outpatient services
• The ability to lead through influence, inspire clinical excellence, and build trust across disciplines
• Experience supporting medical education and a commitment to academic collaboration
• A systems mindset, inclusive leadership style, and a strong commitment to equity and patient-centred care

To confidentially explore this opportunity, please email your resume, quoting the position title, to [e-mail]. An Executive Brief is available upon request.