Director, Research, Innovation & Clinical Scholarship

Job Category: Leadership Hospital Location: Newmarket ON Job Type: Permanent, Full time Number of Positions: 1 Minimum - Maximum Hourly Rate: $84.67 - $100.64

Why Join Our Team?

• A people-first workplace environment that prioritizes belonging, wellness, and psychological safety.

• Hybrid, virtual, and in-person working environment (where applicable).

• Progressive health and dental benefit plans.

• HOOPP pension plan with employer and employee premium sharing.

• Enhanced wellness initiatives, including virtual fitness classes and on-site gym memberships.

If you are ready to embrace this exciting challenge and contribute to the success of Southlake Health, we encourage you to apply and be part of our dedicated team, making a difference in the lives of our employees and the community we serve!

Southlake Health is seeking an accomplished and visionary leader to serve as Director, Research, Innovation & Clinical Scholarship.

As Southlake's senior scientific leader, the Director will provide strategic leadership for the growth and advancement of research, innovation, clinical scholarship, and knowledge translation across the organization. This role will champion the development of a learning health system where research, innovation, evidence-informed practice, and continuous improvement are embedded in everyday care delivery.

Reporting to the Vice President and Chief Nursing Executive, the Director will lead the development of a sustainable research and innovation enterprise that advances exceptional patient care, generates new knowledge, attracts external investment, and strengthens Southlake's position as a leading regional health system.

The successful candidate will cultivate strategic industry and academic partnerships, expand clinical research opportunities, accelerate the implementation of evidence into practice, and increase Southlake's presence and influence within the scientific and academic communities.

Strategic Mandate

Within the first three to five years, the successful candidate will be expected to:

• Grow externally funded research activity and research revenue.
• Expand clinical trial activity, particularly within Southlake's Regional Oncology and Cardiology Programs.
• Position Southlake as a preferred partner of choice for industry-sponsored research, innovation pilots, and collaborative healthcare transformation initiatives.
• Strengthen partnerships with academic institutions, healthcare organizations, industry leaders, and funding agencies.
• Increase Southlake's presence and recognition within the scientific and academic communities.
• Build organizational capacity for research, innovation, and clinical scholarship.
• Accelerate the implementation of evidence into practice and advance Southlake's evolution as a learning health system.
• Develop a sustainable research and innovation enterprise that attracts investment and creates new opportunities for growth and revenue generation.

What You'll be doing

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and execute Southlake's research, innovation, and clinical scholarship strategy.
• Establish priorities, infrastructure, and partnerships that support sustainable growth and scientific excellence.
• Elevate Southlake's reputation as a leader in research, innovation, and evidence-informed care.
• Foster a culture of inquiry, discovery, innovation, and continuous learning.

Research, Innovation and Partnerships

• Grow research activity, scholarly output, and external funding opportunities.
• Develop and strengthen strategic partnerships with industry, academic institutions, research networks, healthcare organizations, and government agencies.
• Establish Southlake as a destination for research collaboration, clinical trials, innovation pilots, and scholarly partnerships.
• Lead initiatives that support innovation, commercialization opportunities, and the adoption of emerging technologies and models of care.
• Expand and strengthen clinical trial programs, with a focus on Oncology and Cardiology.

Clinical Scholarship and Knowledge Translation

• Build research and scholarship capacity across all professional groups.
• Support emerging researchers, clinician-scientists, physicians, nurses, and interprofessional teams through mentorship, education, and career development.
• Accelerate the translation of evidence into clinical practice and operational decision-making.
• Advance implementation science and evidence-informed practice initiatives across the organization.

Learning Health System and Enterprise Growth

• Advance Southlake's development as a learning health system by integrating research, quality improvement, innovation, education, and clinical practice.
• Leverage data and analytics to support discovery, evaluation, and continuous improvement.
• Establish diversified revenue streams through grants, clinical trials, industry partnerships, innovation initiatives, and philanthropy.
• Demonstrate measurable impact and return on investment from research and innovation activities.

Strategic Understanding of Research Funding Environment

• Sound understanding of how research is funded and administered within a Hospital setting, including appropriate use of restricted funds and alignment with funding terms.
• Ability to integrate financial awareness into operational planning and partnerships, supporting long-term sustainability of research programs.

What you'll bring

• Doctoral degree (PhD, EdD, PharmD, or equivalent) in a health, scientific, clinical, or related discipline.
• A regulated healthcare professional, in good standing with the respective College
• Progressive leadership experience in healthcare research, innovation, academia, or health system transformation.
• Demonstrated success securing external funding and growing research programs.
• Exceptional operational and research financial acumen
• Experience leading clinical research and clinical trial initiatives.
• Experience building strategic partnerships with academic, healthcare, industry, and government stakeholders.
• Strong understanding of research administration and operations, implementation science, knowledge translation, and evidence-informed practice.
• Demonstrated record of scholarly achievement and scientific leadership.
• Faculty appointment at a University

Preferred

• Experience within a hospital, academic health science centre, research institute, or healthcare innovation environment.
• Experience with industry-sponsored research, commercialization, or innovation partnerships.
• Established provincial or national profile within the research and scientific community.

Southlake Health is fully committed to a culture of belonging and an inclusive environment that encourages every team member to lead within their role, generate innovative ideas that reinforce our mission and goal to create a healthy workplace where our community can thrive.

Regular and reliable attendance is an expected requirement of this position.

We are committed to a selection process and work environment that is inclusive and barrier-free. Accommodation will be provided in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code. Applicants who may require accommodation during the selection process are encouraged to notify the Human Resources Department when contacted for an interview. The People, Culture and Experience team will work together with the hiring committee to arrange reasonable and appropriate accommodation for the selection process, which will enable you to be assessed fairly and equitably.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

We prioritize a people-first workplace culture which emphasizes equity and inclusion throughout our hiring process. To ensure fairness and transparency, all applications are reviewed and assessed by our dedicated team of recruiters and hiring managers, not by artificial intelligence (AI). We value the unique perspective each candidate brings to our organization.

Health & Safety Workplace Responsibilities

It is the responsibility of all Southlake Health employees to work safely and promote health and safety in the workplace. Employees must adhere to the duties of workers, as stipulated in Section 28 of the OH&S Act, as well as all Southlake OH&S policies and procedures. Must be able to perform all necessary bona fide duties for the position, as outlined in the position guide. Must review and be capable of performing duties as outlined in the Job Demands Analysis for the position as a condition of offer. Proven ability to attend work regularly as per the Attendance Support Policy.

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

Southlake Health is fully dedicated to employment equity, diversity, and inclusion in our recruitment practices. We welcome candidates who identify with equity-seeking groups, including women, racialized individuals, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, and those from the 2SLGBTQ+ community. Any information provided will be kept confidential and used appropriately in our recruitment process.

Anti-Oppression/Anti-Racism at Southlake Health

Southlake Health is committed to having a workforce that is reflective of the diversity of York Region and strongly encourages applications from all qualified individuals, and from those who can provide different perspectives and contribute to a further diversification of ideas.

Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. Thank you for your submission. We appreciate your interest in joining Southlake Health!