Director, Central Region Cancer Programs

Job Details

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?

• 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.

Role Overview

We are excited to announce an opening for a Director, Central Region Cancer Programs! Reporting to the Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and Regional Vice President, Cancer Services (Central), the successful applicant will provide strategic leadership and operational oversight for the Central Region Cancer Program and the Southlake Regional Cancer Centre at Southlake Health. This includes responsibility for patient care, future service planning, people and resource management, quality improvement, and education. As a key member of Southlake’s leadership team, the Director, Central Region Cancer Programs will work collaboratively with Physician Leaders, Managers, and interprofessional teams to advance the program’s vision, achieve strategic priorities, and deliver exceptional patient outcomes and experiences.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a role model who exemplifies Southlake’s values, professional competencies, and commitment to patient- and family-centred care.
• Provide strategic and operational leadership for the Regional Cancer Program and the Southlake Regional Cancer Centre, working collaboratively with the Executive Leadership Team, Physician Leaders, Clinical Chiefs, Division Heads, Managers, and interprofessional teams.
• Collaborate with regional partner organizations to strengthen integration and coordination of cancer services across the Central Region.
• Establish and advance the Cancer Program vision, annual strategic goals, and priorities in alignment with Southlake’s corporate strategy, regional, and provincial cancer system priorities.
• Translate organizational and provincial imperatives into clear program direction, goals, priorities, and actionable plans, with accountability for achieving targeted outcomes.
• Lead strategic planning for current and future cancer services, considering organizational, regional, and provincial contexts and incorporating evidence, best practices, innovation, and emerging models of care.
• Establish priorities and allocate human, financial, material, information technology, and capital resources to effectively and efficiently meet current and future program needs and strategic objectives.
• Lead and champion continuous improvement, change management, systems thinking, project management, and evidence-based practices across the Cancer Program, while coaching and supporting leaders and teams to apply these principles in their work.
• Lead the development, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of the Cancer Program annual operating plan, including human resources, financial, capital, clinical, facilities, and technology requirements.
• Monitor and manage program performance, quality indicators, utilization, trends, financial information, and operational data to support evidence-informed decision-making, benchmarking, resource planning, and continuous improvement.
• Provide systems-level oversight of clinical quality and performance outcomes in collaboration with Chiefs of Service, Physician Leaders, Medical Directors, Division Heads, Managers, Educators, and interprofessional teams.
• Ensure the development, review, and ongoing enhancement of professional standards, clinical practices, policies, and standards of care in response to evolving evidence, professional knowledge, regulatory requirements, and Southlake’s professional practice framework.
• Ensure patient- and family-centred care is integrated into program decisions, policies, strategies, service planning, and operational processes.
• Promote a multidisciplinary model of care that recognizes the interprofessional team as the primary unit of patient care and service delivery.
• Provide ethical, legal, and transparent leadership, ensuring program practices comply with applicable legislation, regulatory requirements, professional standards, privacy and confidentiality requirements, and Southlake policies.
• Identify and proactively address risks to patient safety, staff safety, quality, and service delivery, ensuring appropriate investigation, reporting, mitigation, and implementation of corrective actions.
• Recruit, develop, coach, and retain strong leaders and teams, fostering a culture of accountability, wellness, psychological safety, professional growth, innovation, and continuous learning.
• Identify and support learning needs across the Cancer Program, including orientation, specialty education, certification, advanced education, new technology training, and ongoing professional development.
• Foster a culture that recognizes and celebrates contributions, accomplishments, successes, and lessons learned, while encouraging team members to give and receive meaningful appreciation.
• Promote effective employee and labour relations through collaborative problem-solving, participative management, clear expectations, and appropriate accountability.
• Develop strong inter-program relationships within Southlake and facilitate collaborative processes with supporting programs such as Diagnostic Services, Surgery, Internal Medicine, Pharmacy, Palliative Care, Volunteers, and other partners to strengthen the continuum of cancer care.
• Build and maintain strong regional and external partnerships with Ontario Health, Ontario Health Cancer Care Ontario, Ontario Health Teams, community partners, hospitals, academic organizations, and other cancer system stakeholders.
• Engage actively in provincial and regional cancer initiatives, service delivery changes, networks, committees, and communities of practice to advance regional priorities and ensure alignment with evolving cancer system direction.
• Strengthen partnerships with academic organizations to support education, research, student placements, mentorship, professional development, and the integration of evidence into clinical practice.
• Work collaboratively with community and regional partners to enhance coordination across the cancer and palliative care continuum, from prevention and screening through diagnosis, treatment, survivorship, supportive care, and end-of-life practice.
• Advocate for the needs of the Regional Cancer Program while balancing organizational priorities, available resources, and the needs of supporting and partnering programs.
• Lead and support innovative approaches to cancer service delivery that improve access, quality, patient experience, outcomes, and value for patients and families across the Central Region.
• Develop and maintain effective communication strategies that keep staff, physicians, partners, and stakeholders informed, engaged, and aligned with program priorities and changes.
• Promote a culture of customer service, teamwork, respect, inclusion, innovation, accountability, and shared responsibility for achieving excellence in cancer care.

Qualifications & Experience

• Baccalaureate degree in health-related discipline required
• Masters degree in Business Administration, Social Sciences, Health Care Administration or equivalent is strongly preferred
• Minimum of five years recent experience in related clinical and administrative areas preferred
• Minimum one year cancer program or cancer center experience at level of Manager or Director preferred
• Strong preference for person with proven oversight and administrative experience with a Regional Cancer Centre
• Agent of change with ability to envision new concepts, methods and plans
• Demonstrated ability to energize, coach, encourage and support people
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Analytical ability and problem solving, including ability to provide root cause analysis
• Demonstrated budgetary experience and expertise
• Excellent group facilitation and proven leadership, decision-making and organizational skills
• Innovative and willing to learn
• Commitment to customer service and effective teamwork
• Ability to work with all health disciplines to achieve quality of care
• Ability to establish collaborative relationships with external agencies
• Demonstrated excellence in interpersonal, communication, customer service, analytical approach, teamwork and leadership skills

Company Culture

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.

Attendance & Availability

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

Inclusive Hiring Process

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

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.

Interview Process

Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

Company Recognition

We’re proud to be recognized as one of Greater Toronto’s Top Employers for 2026, one of Canada’s Most Admired Corporate Cultures for 2025, and one of the World’s Best Hospitals for seven years in a row – recognitions that reflect the strength of our people and our workplace culture.

For over 100 years, Southlake Health has been dedicated to building healthy communities through innovative care. While many things have changed over the years, our unwavering pride in our people, place, and performance has stood the test of time. With a passionate family of 6,000 medical professionals, staff, volunteers, and students, we work together every day to deliver exceptional care close to home. We are here for everyone who walks through our doors, no matter where they are in their life journey. Our commitment extends beyond our walls, reaching every community we serve. Driven by our heartfelt dedication, we believe that everyone deserves the best care and the best experience. As we look to the future, our vision remains clear: to grow alongside our communities. This vision is anchored in our commitment to put people first—pushing boundaries and embracing the latest medical advancements while ensuring we meet individuals where they are in life. Every innovation, treatment technique, and interaction is centered on our desire to provide the leading-edge care that patients expect and deserve.