Director, Health Policy and Systems (Western Region)

Heart & Stroke

1d•Remote

About The Position

Heart & Stroke is hiring a Director, Health Policy and Systems for Saskatchewan. The Director provides strategic leadership and management for planning and implementing initiatives aligned with national organizational priorities. The role leads provincial advocacy, stakeholder and government relations, health systems improvement, and patient engagement and support. It builds relationships with government officials, agencies, and other stakeholders to communicate Heart & Stroke priorities and advocate for policy and health systems change. The Director leads provincial advocacy planning, adapts priorities to the provincial environment, develops and executes policy and advocacy plans, plans special projects, and oversees tailored advocacy briefs and related documents. The role collaborates with other provincial directors and colleagues across the country, leads assigned national initiatives, and supports provincial development and fundraising initiatives where needed. The day-to-day work is remote, with a hybrid work option; travel to the Toronto office may be requested, and attendance at meetings or stakeholder visits in Regina and Saskatoon may be needed.

Requirements

University degree focused on health policy, health administration, or health systems.
At least 8 years of progressively responsible work experience.
Experience in talent management, coaching, and leadership.
Experience leading work focused on advocacy, knowledge translation, and health systems improvement.
Experience networking and convening multiple stakeholders, including government, NGOs, and the public, to address complex health-related problems.
Experience advocating to federal, provincial, regional, and municipal governments within the health portfolio.
Strong background in program planning and evaluation and a firm grasp of health policy and systems-change theory and models.
Understanding of healthcare delivery and the roles of federal, provincial, regional, and municipal governments in the health system.
Understanding of Indigenous health, social, political, and cultural issues and Heart & Stroke's position in relation to them.
Extensive knowledge of government decision-making processes, advocacy strategies, health policy, and program development, implementation, and evaluation.
Excellent project-management skills and ability to lead complex projects and policy initiatives across government and health-related settings.
Ability to build relationships with senior officials and influence, motivate, and lead a wide range of stakeholders.
Financial-management skills to plan, prepare, and administer a budget.
Strong verbal and written communication skills.
Well-developed leadership and facilitation skills.
Must currently reside in Canada and be legally entitled to work in Canada.

Nice To Haves

Graduate degree.
Professional accreditation.
Project management designation.
Experience in the nonprofit sector.

Responsibilities

Support development of health policy and systems change at all levels of government.
Build relationships and create opportunities for Heart & Stroke to communicate its mission-related priorities to government officials, agencies, and senior leaders in provincial non-governmental organizations.
Establish and maintain networks with governments, health charities, stakeholders, volunteers, people with lived experience (PWLE), and coalitions to support policy, health systems, and advocacy work.
Work with partner organizations to develop shared advocacy positions and strategies.
Advise other Foundation programs on government opportunities and risks.
Integrate sex and gender, equity, diversity, and inclusion issues into provincial health systems work.
Lead provincial advocacy priorities, including health equity, nicotine, cardiac arrest, stroke, and heart failure projects, adapting them to the provincial environment.
Engage stakeholders on provincial and regional research-funding issues and represent the organization externally through meetings, presentations, and media engagement.
Identify funding and resource-leveraging opportunities with government, industry, and other partners.
Maintain communication with associations and regulatory agencies and work with stakeholders to identify and deliver health-promotion initiatives.
Collaborate with national Health System and Policy colleagues and contribute to strategic planning in support of provincial mission plans and national priorities.
Work with the Development Team to identify funding opportunities, attend donor meetings as a subject matter expert, and support proposal preparation and presentations.
Engage the Provincial Advisory Board in developing provincial mission priorities and initiatives as needed.
Collaborate with staff and volunteers across the country to develop shared advocacy initiatives and strategic priorities.
Support communications and marketing staff in promoting Foundation programs, including recruiting PWLE.
Coordinate cross-departmental planning, development, and evaluation of Foundation activities and initiatives; participate in working groups and committees and build cross-functional relationships.
Lead processes to scan, monitor, and share information about Western Canada's research, government, and healthcare systems and emerging opportunities.
Participate in identifying and exploring potential investment focus areas and strategic priorities.
Track and share relevant government and healthcare-system policy decisions with internal and external stakeholders.
Monitor policy-development trends, public-policy patterns, and changing public opinion relevant to the Foundation's mission.
Lead, coach, and support an effective, high-performing team, ensuring Foundation values and high standards of delivery are maintained.
Set business goals and priorities, deploy resources effectively, establish performance plans and objectives, and provide ongoing coaching and feedback.