119 Memorial Ave
Orillia ON L3V 5X1
Canada
POSITION: Executive Director
DEPARTMENT: Couchiching Ontario Health Team
EMPLOYEE GROUP: Leadership
REPORTS TO: Joint Executive Team (JET)
EFFECTIVE DATE: May 19, 2026 - contract March 31, 2027
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Executive Director plays a crucial role in advancing the Couchiching Ontario Health Team (COHT) goal to deliver integrated, patient-centered care, and drive collaborative initiatives among healthcare providers in the Couchiching region. This position requires strategic thinking, strong leadership skills, and a deep understanding of the healthcare landscape.
Reporting to the Joint Executive Team (JET), the Executive Director will provide strategic direction and operational leadership to enable the development and advancement of the Couchiching Ontario Health Team in this community.
In this role, the Executive Director will build trusting relationships, provide leadership for clinical integration and provide strategic advice on building the infrastructure required to enable the COHT to achieve its shared vision, values, support population health management and primary care expansion, recruitment and attachment. This position will collaboratively engage with partners across multiple organizations. The ideal candidate is a proven health care leader with experience in cross-sectoral partnership and proven experience in building relationships and driving health system change.
The Executive Director will apply an anti-oppressive lens in supporting diverse populations, including those facing systemic barriers. We work on the traditional territory of Anishinaabek Nation, and we encourage candidates to understand their role in the ongoing process of reconciliation. The COHT grounds all initiatives in Indigenous rights, cultural values, and traditional protocols, ensuring that actions respect and honor Indigenous perspectives.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Strategic Leadership:
• Develop and implement strategic plans in alignment with the COHT’s goals and objectives as well as other governing partners (Ministry of Health, Ontario Health etc.)
• Provide visionary leadership to guide the OHT through changes in the healthcare environment with primary care as the foundation
• Guide the health information management strategy in Couchiching
• Guide and support the development and implementation of a Primary Care Access, Connection and Attachment Strategy in Couchiching
Partner Engagement:
• Foster and maintain strong relationships with healthcare partners, community organizations, government agencies, municipalities, primary care providers and other partners.
• Collaborate with key partners to build consensus and drive collective decision-making.
• Work closely with the CFHT’s leadership team and staff to maximize knowledge and move forward with the proposed Attachment Strategy.
• Build and maintain relationships with local Indigenous communities, Elders, and Knowledge Keepers to inform and improve service delivery.
Operational Management:
• Oversee day to day operations to ensure efficient and effective delivery of integrated care services, project, planning initiatives, primary care and supported attachment initiatives.
• Implement evaluation, performance monitoring initiatives and quality improvement initiatives to enhance delivery
• Ensure completion and submission of all reporting requirements for Ontario Health
• Ensure the OHT is meeting all of the Transfer Payment Agreement (TPA) requirements and performance measures
• Work to embed health equity in the COHT work and ensure the team has opportunities to receive training
• Review financial statement prior to being presented to JET.
Financial Management:
• Develop and manage the COHT budget in collaboration with the finance team and JET
• Identify funding opportunities, secure grants and cultivate partnerships to ensure financial sustainability.
Collaborative Initiatives:
• Facilitate collaboration among healthcare providers and organizations to enhance care coordination and patient outcome.
• Lead the development and execution of collaborative programs and initiatives.
Advocacy and Representation:
• Advocate for the COHT’s interests at the regional and provincial levels
• Represent the organization in various forums and engage with policymakers to influence healthcare policies
• Engage with other OHTs to advance shared initiatives
• Provide strategic leadership to advance patient- and family-centred care through the Couchiching Ontario Health Team (COHT), ensuring the needs of patients and family caregivers are meaningfully integrated into planning, decision-making, and service delivery.
Communication and Public Relations:
• Develop and implement effective communication strategies to raise awareness of the COHT’s mission and achievements.
• Act as a spokesperson for the organization, ensuring positive public relations.
Staff Development and Coaching:
• Develop a positive team culture.
• Facilitate coaching and performance management with team members.
• Continue to invest in staff development to build capacity and future leadership.
Performs other duties as assigned by the Joint Executive Team (JET).
QUALIFICATIONS:
Education:
• Masters Degree in public health, health policy, health services research, or other relevant health discipline.
• University degree in related field {I.e., nursing, business administration, public health administration, health management, health administration or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Experience:
• Minimum ten (10) of relevant experience in clinical/operational leadership in healthcare environments such as hospitals, primary care, long-term care, government or private sector required.
• Demonstrated knowledge of provincial health care structures, processes, funding mechanisms and current priorities is strongly preferred
• Proven track record in strategic planning, organizational development and change management.
Competencies:
• Proven ability to guide/coach and manage large, complex teams with multiple stakeholders.
• Demonstrated leadership, relationship-building, motivational and change management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to develop effective and comprehensive reports and presentations for various audiences, including patients and their families, community members, executives, administrators, and clinicians.
• Deep understanding of the Couchiching area communities, and familiarity with capacity planning analytics, solutions and partnerships.
• Demonstrated superior analytical, problem-solving abilities and data analysis and manipulation skills
• Demonstrated ability to work under pressure and tight timelines.
• Demonstrated innovative and out-of-the-box thinking and ability to handle and navigate ambiguity.
• Demonstrated working knowledge of financial modeling and financial analysis is preferred.
• Demonstrates commitment to continued professional and personal growth and development through Continuing Education Programs and Self Directed Learning Opportunties.
• Demonstrated knowledge of culturally responsive care, ability to work across difference and experience, supporting equity deserving populations.
• Police Record/Vulnerable Sector Check.
• Recommend vaccinations to maintain protection to prevent illness. May require in the event of a pandemic or outbreaks to maintain operations.
Our Shared Purpose:
We are one community that is committed to improving health and wellness. Together we will achieve our goal through system co-design, in a culturally safe and meaningful way. All my relations - Tous lies - Mitakuye-Oyasin
Our Principles for Working Together:
Trust - Innovate Courageously - Respect the Authentic and Diverse Voices Shared - Be Inclusive - Collaborate Person Centre Care - Explore, Learn, Understand, Enjoy the Journey
CONTACTS:
Interacts with key partners via face to face, telephone and email as required.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Please contact HR for applicable chart insertion.
Note: N = Never, S = Seldom (1-5%/not daily); O =Occasional (6-32%); F = Frequent (33-65%); M = Major (66-100%)
WORKING CONDITIONS:
Professional office environment, hybrid model, on-site considerations foremost
RATE OF PAY:
$140,000 - $150,000
AI will not be used in the recruitment process.
The Couchiching Ontario Health Team supports diversity, equity and a workplace free from harassment and discrimination. The COHT is committed to an inclusive, barrier-free recruitment and selection process and workplace. If you are contacted to participate in our recruitment process, please advise the interview coordinator of any accommodations. The COHT has an Accommodation Policy and Procedure to ensure you have access to a fair and equitable process. While we thank all applicants, only those contacted for an interview will be acknowledged.
Please submit cover letter and resume including position title in subject line to careers@cfht.ca