Senior Program Director, Systems Strategy and Clinical Excellence

Alberta Health Services; Edmonton; Hybrid; CAD 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A provincial healthcare organization is seeking a dynamic Senior Director for System Strategy & Clinical Excellence. This individual will lead high-performing teams, manage systemic transformation initiatives, and establish partnerships across healthcare settings. The ideal candidate has a Master's degree, proven leadership experience in health systems, and a strong understanding of clinical workflows. You will play a key role in optimizing acute care delivery across Alberta while fostering a collaborative environment amongst various stakeholders. This position offers a competitive salary and the flexibility of a negotiable location within the province.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in health systems.
• 5+ years in senior leadership roles.
• Experience in leading clinical transformation initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Build and lead high-performing leadership teams.
• Drive hospital solutions and excellence across acute care.
• Manage system-wide optimization and change efforts.

Skills

Healthcare systems knowledge

Leadership

Change management

Data-driven decision-making

Relationship building

Strategic planning

Education

Master's degree in healthcare administration

Tools

Clinical informatics

EMR optimization

Job description

Your Opportunity:

Help lead the transformation of acute care delivery in Alberta! Alberta Health Services (AHS) is seeking a dynamic, strategic leader for the role of Senior Director, System Strategy & Clinical Excellence. In this role, you will provide direction and leadership of an integrated team focused on driving provincial and site level initiatives, providing rapid response support to leaders, developing operational service plans, and monitoring performance to ensure acute care facilities are operating at the highest levels. A visionary and results-driven leader, you bring a deep understanding of healthcare systems and a passion for innovation and using data to drive decisions and strategy. You know how to mobilize teams, navigate complexity, and deliver solutions that make a measurable impact. As a skilled relationship-builder, you will establish meaningful partnerships that align diverse stakeholders and drive collaboration across sites and corridors. As a provincial role, this position’s location is negotiable within Alberta — giving you the opportunity to work in a community that best suits your lifestyle. In a refocused healthcare system, AHS plays an integral role in delivering high-quality acute care services to more than 4.5 million people living in Alberta, as well as occasionally to some residents of other provinces and territories. We are a nation-leading hospital-based service provider operating 95 acute care facilities across the province and we are dedicated to excellence in patient care. Showcase your leadership skills at AHS, where we strive to foster an environment where patients, clients, and staff feel safe, healthy, valued, and supported.

Description:

The Senior Program Director, System Strategy & Clinical Excellence is responsible for building a high-performing leadership team focused on delivering hospital solutions and driving excellence across acute care settings. Reporting to the Senior Vice President, Finance and Shared Services, the Senior Program Director is accountable for developing and leading the SWAT, Optimization, and Performance & Reporting teams, and championing innovative approaches that foster integration and continuous improvement. With a sharp eye for identifying challenges and opportunities, you will lead system-wide optimization and change management efforts, introducing new practices and processes that enhance clinical service delivery. In this role you will help ensure resources are effectively deployed to support priority initiatives and sustain long-term impact, while recognizing the need for changes across service areas and setting priorities accordingly. The Senior Program Director will establish positive and effective relationships with hospital site leaders and develop a culture of trust. Working in collaboration with Acute Care Alberta, AHS Clinical Operations leaders, and other relevant stakeholders, you will facilitate the identification and resolution of emerging issues and concerns and engage with stakeholders to provide strategic solutions and plans.

Position Details:

• Classification: Senior Director
• Union: Exempt Executive
• Unit and Program: AHS Executive
• Primary Location: Seventh Street Plaza
• Location Details: As Per Location
• Negotiable Location: Provincial
• Employee Class: Regular Full Time
• FTE: 1.00
• Posting End Date: 18-DEC-2025
• Date Available: 19-JAN-2026
• Hours per Shift: 7.75
• Length of Shift in weeks: 2
• Shifts per cycle: 10
• Shift Pattern: Days
• Days Off: Saturday/Sunday
• Minimum Salary: $71.32
• Maximum Salary: $131.08
• Vehicle Requirement: Not Applicable

Required Qualifications:

The successful candidate possesses a master’s degree in healthcare administration or related healthcare field. You bring at least ten (10) years of progressive leadership experience in a large integrated health system, including at least five (5) years in senior leadership roles. You have at least three (3) years’ experience in leading system-wide clinical transformation initiatives, strategic planning and implementing operational excellence frameworks in an acute care setting.

Additional Required Qualifications:

With strong knowledge of healthcare systems, funding models, and performance metrics, you have experience developing and executing strategic plans aligned with organizational goals and are experienced in leading change and process improvements. You have a deep understanding of clinical workflows, evidence-based practice, and care delivery models, and have familiarity with accreditation standards. Experience in clinical informatics, EMR optimization, and data-driven decision-making. Bringing exceptional leadership, coaching, and team-building skills, you have proven success in leading multidisciplinary teams. A strong communicator and relationship builder, you have demonstrated ability to influence and collaborate across diverse stakeholder groups, have experience with executive level reporting, and are experienced in advocating for system-level change.

Preferred Qualifications:

Certification in healthcare leadership or executive management (e.g., Certified Health Executive, Canadian College of Health Leaders) is an asset.