VP, Product, Platforms and Program Management - LifeLabs

On behalf of LifeLabs, NAFOR is proud to be leading this search. 

Help lead the teams that create new healthcare services, improve digital experiences, and help millions of Canadians access the care they need.

Overview: You will help decide what new healthcare services LifeLabs should offer and how patients, doctors, and healthcare partners use them. You will lead teams that turn new ideas into real programs, improve websites and digital tools, and help LifeLabs grow across Canada. It is a chance to make healthcare easier, better, and more accessible for millions of people. View additional details at www.nafor.com/lifelabs

Purpose: The Vice President, Product, Platforms and Program Management sets the enterprise direction for LifeLabs' diagnostic product portfolio, digital platform ecosystem, and program development model. This senior executive translates diagnostic innovation and market opportunities into scalable offerings, differentiated customer experiences, and sustainable growth across government and commercial markets. The role leads a multi-disciplinary function responsible for product management, diagnostic program development, solutions incubation, and digital experience, ensuring seamless progression from concept to launch and transition into operational ownership.

Core Accountabilities:

Enterprise Strategy and Portfolio Leadership

• Define the strategic direction for the diagnostic test portfolio and related service offerings to support growth, scalability, and agility.
• Establish portfolio strategies, value propositions, and pricing or packaging frameworks aligned to customer segments.
• Own long-range planning and prioritization across products, programs, and platforms.
• Oversee the transition of Advanced Diagnostics into a scalable generalist product management structure.

Program and Solution Growth Leadership

• Define the enterprise approach for designing, launching, and scaling large-scale diagnostic programs for government and commercial markets.
• Ensure repeatable frameworks, governance, and leadership discipline for moving validated opportunities into scalable programs.
• Oversee incubation of new diagnostic solutions aligned to strategic priorities and market needs.
• Drive commercialization readiness and ensure smooth transition of mature programs into Operations.

Digital Platform and Customer Experience Leadership

• Set the strategic roadmap for digital sales and service platforms (patient portals, e-commerce, B2B ordering, LifeLabs.com).
• Lead modernization of the digital ecosystem to improve customer experience and support future growth.
• Sponsor enterprise customer journey and UX strategy across patients, clients, and partners.
• Provide executive oversight for Salesforce strategy and governance.
• Ensure digital platforms meet contractual, regulatory, and government requirements.

Operating Model, Governance, and Performance

• Establish operating models, governance structures, and decision-making frameworks for products, programs, platforms, and incubation.
• Define accountability, success measures, and performance expectations for functional leaders.
• Oversee portfolio performance management, risk mitigation, and continuous improvement.
• Ensure effective integration and handoff between innovation, product, program, digital, and Operations teams.
• Create organizational clarity around what is owned centrally within the function versus by partner functions.

People Leadership and Capability Building

• Build and lead a high-performing leadership team across product, program, platform, customer experience, and incubation functions.
• Develop and implement a plan to build engagement across the team.
• Develop organizational capability in generalist product management, portfolio management, and digital experience leadership.
• Foster a culture of customer-centered innovation, disciplined execution, and enterprise collaboration.
• Mentor directors and senior leaders, ensuring succession strength and role clarity.
• Lead organizational design to support future business needs and growth priorities.

Executive and External Partnership

• Serve as the senior point of alignment across Laboratory, Operations, Commercial, Technology, Finance, Legal, and Compliance.
• Build strong relationships with government, finance, laboratory, and strategic partners.
• Represent the function in executive discussions on portfolio direction, platform evolution, and customer experience priorities.
• Influence enterprise decisions through structured recommendations on priorities, sequencing, and capability requirements.

Requirements:

• A university degree in business, a technical discipline, or a related field
• 10 or more years of experience in product development or related fields
• At least 5 years of leadership experience managing and building high-performing teams and cross-functional clients
• Executive leadership experience in product management, platform leadership, program development, innovation, or related business leadership roles.
• Proven success leading multi-functional teams and enterprise portfolios in complex, regulated, or operationally sophisticated environments.
• Demonstrated experience setting strategy and leading organizations through growth, transformation, or capability build-out.
• Experience leading digital platform strategy, customer experience transformation, and cross-functional operating models.
• Demonstrated ability to build scalable organizational capability and lead through senior leaders.
• Strong track record of influencing across matrixed environments and aligning diverse stakeholders around common priorities.
• Experience effectively influencing and managing teams across multi-disciplinary functions, suppliers, and other stakeholders to deliver on objectives with a strong customer focus.
• Strong business judgment, strategic thinking, and executive communication skills.
• Strong analytical, strategic, and coordinating skills.
• Sound knowledge and understanding of business and technology.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate and present effectively to various audiences.
• Great people skills paired with a high level of assertiveness.

Preferred Experience and Assets

• Experience in healthcare, diagnostics, laboratory services, medtech, or similarly regulated sectors is strongly preferred.
• Experience developing clinical products and services is a significant asset.
• Experience supporting a digital-oriented customer experience is a significant asset.
• Experience working with external partners, government stakeholders, or contract-driven environments is an asset.

About LifeLabs: LifeLabs is Canada's leading provider of laboratory diagnostic services, helping patients and healthcare providers diagnose, treat, monitor, and prevent disease. Each year we perform over 112 million laboratory tests and support 20 million customer visits annually through leading-edge technologies and our 6,500 talented and dedicated employees. As Canada's largest community lab, our services range from standard lab testing, to genetic and naturopathic testing, to developing new technologies. We also manage laboratory testing for hospitals and long-term care facilities, partner with employers, insurers and government agencies to offer health services, and support healthcare research across Canada. Innovation is central to who we are. We operate Canada's first commercial genetics lab and the country's largest online patient portal, with more than 5 million Canadians receiving their results online. At every step of the testing process, from collection to reporting, we are committed to providing caring, efficient, reliable, and high-quality service to support Canadians in living healthier lives.

Reports to: Chief Market and Partnerships Officer

Location: This is a hybrid role based in Toronto (Etobicoke), Ontario, Canada.

Salary Range: $200,000 - $240,000 The hiring range has been established, however, the final salary recommendation will be determined based off the level of experience, education requirement, external market conditions and internal equity. In this position, you will be eligible for LifeLabs annual bonus estimated at approximately 25%.

Employee Benefits: In this position, you will be eligible to participate LifeLabs’ group benefits plan which is available to LifeLabs employees in accordance with the terms and conditions of those plans. In addition, LifeLabs offers professional development and membership reimbursement, access to preferred rates and discount programs - WorkPerks, Home and Auto Insurance, Costco Membership, etc. - and Optional Health-related Benefits.

Retirement Savings Plan: The LifeLabs plans provide members with an easy way to save for retirement. By participating in the plan, you receive contributions made to your account on your behalf from LifeLabs.

Vacation Entitlement: In this position, you will be entitled to vacation. We promote a healthy work-life balance and expect your full vacation to be taken each year.

Employee Wellness: LifeLabs offers an award-winning Wellness Program focused on supporting your total health and well-being under our physical, emotional, and financial wellness pillars. We have been recognized in the industry for our focus on mental health supports.

Employee Giving program: Designed to support any employee who donates, fundraises or volunteers for a Canadian Registered Charity or Non-Profit Organization.

DEI, Accommodations and Vaccines:

• We are committed to the ongoing development of our diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) program and have taken steps to strengthen our commitment to our team members and customers, to challenge ourselves to act with courage and integrity, and to create an environment where people can be their true selves. At LifeLabs, we know that we are Stronger Together and that we will benefit from the unique perspectives and experiences that each team member offers. At LifeLabs, we strive to create an inclusive and equitable workplace where our team members and the communities we serve feel accepted, valued, and respected.

• In accordance with LifeLabs’ Accessibility Policy, the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, and the Ontario Human Rights Code, accommodations are available by request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the recruitment and selection process. For a confidential inquiry or to request an accommodation, please contact your recruiter at View email address on jobs.longwoods.com or email View email address on jobs.longwoods.com.

• Vaccinations are highly encouraged at LifeLabs’. Vaccinations may be mandatory for selected employees if regulated by provincial or regional governments, or through employer-led vaccination policies in the facilities we service. Please ensure you ask if this position requires the successful candidate to be fully vaccinated with the current Government approved COVID-19 vaccinations.

- Artificial intelligence is NOT being used to screen, assess, or evaluate candidates.
- This role is currently vacant and available.

Make a difference - join the LifeLabs team today!