Lead – HDRN Partnerships

Data. Discovery. Better Health.

ICES is a world-leading health research and analytics institute. With a wealth of data and analytic expertise, we create trusted evidence that has changed health policy and practice and helps ensure better health for all.

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Health Data Research Network Canada (HDRN Canada) is a pan-Canadian network of member organizations that either hold linkable health and health-related data for entire populations and/or have mandates and roles relating directly to access or use of those data. Member organizations include provincial, territorial, and pan-Canadian organizations that span all of Canada. Each member organization is actively involved in HDRN Canada’s governance and operations and shares a commitment to our mission, vision and values.

At ICES, we recognize what matters most to our employees. Some of the great benefits of working at ICES include:

• Flexible remote work arrangements anywhere in Ontario
• Competitive Compensation
• Comprehensive Benefits Program
• HOOPP Pension Plan (Defined Pension)
• Employee Assistance Program and Dialogue Well Being Program
• Generous vacation, float and caregiver days for all employees
• Education Fund and Dedicated Education Days
• Holiday Closure
• Perkopolis Employee Discount Program

Introduction:

ICES is seeking a Lead- HDRN Partnership to join our Partnerships- HDRN department. The Lead – HDRN Partnerships is responsible for designing and managing a comprehensive program of work focused on developing and managing external partnerships with a wide variety of organizations in support of the mission and strategic goals of HDRN. This position drives business opportunities for HDRN and ICES by identifying and pursuing partnership projects that enable the use of health and health-related data for multi-regional studies. The Lead – HDRN Partnerships will develop and operationalize HDRN Canada Partnerships Framework, the Health Data Research Alliance and other major partnership initiatives.

Responsibilities of the position include, but may not be limited to:

Cross-Functional Leadership & Project Management:

• Cross-Canada Leadership: Lead and motivate multidisciplinary, multi-jurisdictional teams across Canada to deliver complex partnerships projects on time and within budget;
• Lifecycle Management: Manage all phases of the project lifecycle defining scope, tracking milestones, and mitigating risks;
• Corporate Integration: Ensure close operational alignment with the HDRN corporate team (including the Director of Operations, Director of Communications, and CEO/Scientific Director).
  
  

Partnership Framework and Interest Holder Analysis:

• HDRN Partnership Framework: Drive continuous evolution of the HDRN Canada Partnership Framework to guide the program of work undertaken by the Partnerships - HDRN Department in support of the organization’s mission and strategic goals;
• Performance Measurement: Design, implement, and manage tracking tools and performance frameworks to systematically collect, analyze, and report on the outcomes and impacts of the Partnerships - HDRN Department to a range of internal and external audiences;
• Interest Holder Analysis: Develop methods for continuously assessing and understanding the perspectives and positioning of HDRN interest holders. Collaborate with HDRN corporate team on development and maintenance of a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system;
• Reporting & Representation: Produce high-quality technical reports, project updates, and executive briefing notes for ICES and HDRN. Represent the organizations publicly at forums, panels, and conferences.

HDR Alliance:

• Secretariat Support: In collaboration with the HDR Alliance Chair and the HDRN Canada CEO and Scientific Director, ensure the smooth functioning of the HDR Alliance and the associated event, Working with Federated Data Forum, by continuously expanding the group, managing membership, rotating and supporting the Chair, planning and running agendas, and producing meeting summaries;
• Collective Action Projects: Continuously identify and develop collective project ideas, organize HDR Alliance project teams, facilitate resourcing and execution of collective action projects;
• Promoting HDR Alliance: Work closely with HDRN Communications team and HDR Alliance members to promote the work of the HDR Alliance to national and international audiences.

Managing Bilateral Relationships and Groups:

• Partnership Pipeline Development: Actively identify and cultivate prospective partners, continuously identifying new opportunities to support HDRN Canada’s mission and strategic goals;
• Existing Bilateral Relationships: Continuously strengthen existing partnerships through regular communication, information sharing and by identifying and pursuing opportunities to work together on specific projects;
• Secretariat Support to Key Groups: In collaboration with group chairs and others, ensure the smooth functioning of groups by managing membership, rotating and supporting the Chair, planning and running agendas, and producing meeting summaries. Key groups include:
  • SPOR Canadian Data Platform (CDP) Advisory Committee
  • HDRN Researcher Panel
  • International Partnerships Coordinating Team
  • HDRN Canada at ICES.

Strategic Leadership & Operational Alignment:

• Strategic Horizon Scanning: Work closely with the Director, Partnerships – HDRN to provide strategic lead on identifying emerging trends and recommending new areas for action to advance HDRN Partnerships in support of the organization’s mission and strategic goals. Proactively assess and identify new business needs, evolving market demands, and emerging partnerships opportunities;
• Strategy Execution: Translate the broader HDRN Strategic Plan into an actionable, forward-looking roadmap for the Partnerships – HDRN Department;
• Operational Alignment: Maintain close working alignment with the Lead – HDRN Data Services Development Team to identify and develop partnerships in support of HDRN Data Services.

Mentorship and Development:

• Support, mentor and train HDRN – Partnerships department members by providing guidance, sharing expertise, and fostering a culture of continuous learning and professional development, thereby enhancing team capabilities and collaboration;
• Actively participate as a member of the HDRN – Partnerships department by contributing to team discussions and initiatives that enhance the overall effectiveness of the department’s function within HDRN and ICES. This requires strong interpersonal skills to build relationships and collaborate effectively with colleagues.

Other:

• Other duties as may be assigned within the scope of this position.

Knowledge, skills, and abilities:

Minimum Required Education, Years of Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in field relevant to health research;
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in project management, ideally within the health care or health services research sectors;
• Experience working with major health, research and data partners within Ontario or elsewhere;
• Experience working with researchers and in extended collaborative networks.
  
  

Preferred Education, Years of Experience, and Certifications/Professional Designations:

• Master’s degree in public health, health services research or related field.;
• Management experience in a health research context is helpful but not required.
• Experience in health planning, public policy, and government relations is an asset.
• Professional experience engaging with inter-provincial and inter-territorial health research and data organizations
• PMP certification (Project Management Professional).

Minimum Required Position-Specific Knowledge and Technical Skills:

• Ability to manage multidisciplinary and network wide project teams, working with a broad range of internal and external members, fostering collaboration and effective communication to achieve project objectives.
• Strong project management skills, with the ability to prioritize workload and manage multiple projects within tight timelines.
• Exceptional interpersonal, written, oral communication, and presentation skills, with the ability to effectively communicate and facilitate discussions at all levels of the organization, ensuring clear, concise, and consistent information sharing.
• Working knowledge of health services research, including the use of administrative data for health systems evaluation and monitoring.
• Ability to maintain high standards and professionalism in all stages of projects, ensuring quality outcomes and adherence to organizational values and objectives.
• Strong initiative, decision-making, and problem-solving abilities, demonstrating a proactive approach to identifying challenges and implementing effective solutions.
• Demonstrated understanding of partnership development strategies, facilitating the establishment and maintenance of effective collaborations with various partners.

Preferred Position-Specific Knowledge and Technical Skills:

• Demonstrated understanding of strategic planning and program implementation processes.
• French oral and written skills.

This full-time, 17-month contract opportunity is for an existing vacancy at ICES Central. The annual salary range for this role is $91,000 - $110,000. Successful candidate must reside within Ontario while working under our remote flex model and be able to come into the office when required from time to time.

Security clearance may be required.

Interested candidates should submit their resume and cover letter detailing how their knowledge, skills and abilities match the scope of this position.

ICES is committed to ensuring equity in employment. Our goal is to attract, develop, and retain highly talented employees from diverse backgrounds allowing us to benefit from a wide variety of experiences and perspectives. ICES strongly encourages applications from candidates from equity-deserving communities including but not limited to First Nations, Métis, Inuit, Black and racialized, 2SLGBTQIA+, and persons with visible and non-visible disabilities.

ICES is committed to providing accessible employment practices, in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA). Applicants are asked to make accommodation requests to ICES and we will make every effort to ensure that accommodation requests are met throughout the recruitment process.

We thank all applicants for their interest in working at ICES. Due to the volume of applications received, only applicants being considered for the position will be contacted for further discussions.