Senior Health System Specialist, Strategic Growth & Partnerships - Full-time

Position at VON Canada

Requisition Details:

Employment Status: Regular, Full-time (1.0 FTE)
Program Name: Strategic Growth & Partnerships 
Number of Hours Bi-Weekly: 75
Work Schedule: Days
On Call: No
Existing Vacancy: Yes - we're currently hiring candidates for an existing vacancy in this position.

Job Summary:

Reporting to the Director, Strategic Growth & Partnerships (SG&P), the Sr. Health Systems Specialist, Strategic Growth & Partnerships (Sr. Specialist) is a key member of the Engagement & Philanthropy team responsible for strategic growth, including analytical, advisory and consultative services, reporting, program development, program implementation and advocacy. The Sr. Specialist manages the development and deployment of provincial strategic programs and is responsible for the evaluation and successful delivery of program outcomes.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Health System Analytics, Advisement and Communications

• Performs environmental health system scanning activities which include the interpretation of issues, assessment of risks and identification of potential impacts on strategic growth priorities. Provides recommendations and key insights to drive corporate strategy.
• Monitors provincial healthcare systems’ objectives, emerging trends, and challenges; leads program analysis options; provides strategic advice; identifies issues and trends; and provides recommendations on existing and future funding opportunities within the province to their Director and other leaders in the organization as required.
• Provides strategic growth advisory services to senior management, including the preparation and creation of briefing/issue notes, position papers and reports
• Manages strategic planning that anticipates and absorbs complex, mid to large scale issues and recognizes the interdependencies of Policy and Legislative implementation as it relates to strategic growth 
• Identifies and manages contentious issues demonstrating sound judgement, sensitivity and a high degree of political acuity in the setting of priorities  
• Supports organizational planning by addressing gaps and aligning growth with VON’s strategic goals and priorities

Program Development

• Using a deep understanding of the health system, environment and VON funder/payer goals, the Sr. Specialist will partner with provincial and regional leadership to support the development of funder, payer and advocacy organization submissions, reports and  presentations and other documentation that promote the value of existing and new VON programs, models and associated program funding
• Develops reports, key messaging, proposals, presentations, and other documents to support the communication of VON program value to our funders, payers, and advocacy  organizations. This includes analyzing and interpreting statistical data and monitoring quality, performance indicators, and benchmarks.  
• Follows business development methodology and supports and monitors the consistent use of this methodology within the organization.
• Supports organizational capacity by using a standard approach for proposals created for external stakeholders, partners, funders, and payers and developing templates that operations and teams can utilize.
• Supports the operation and corporate teams with relevant information, strategy, positioning, and documentation to help them succeed in their business development endeavours.  
• Collaborates with departments/sites across the organization in identifying and developing program and service business opportunities
• Builds internal and external partnerships, influences, and negotiates between partners to achieve a shared optimized goal.

Program Management

• Manages a provincial portfolio of strategic growth projects and initiatives to produce high quality results on time through team-based approaches utilizing Lean and project management principles
• Establishes program outcome measures and evaluation criteria aligned with the requirements of funders, payers and strategic partners. This includes the use of qualitative and quantitative methods to meet the quadruple aim
• Leads the successful implementation of the project and/or initiative and ensures that the project/initiative remains within scope, is delivered on time, and within budget as determined through the agreement between the funder and VON
• Provides leadership to projects and small teams to bring the program design to life and ensure a sustainable transition to the operating teams  

Common Responsibilities:

• Promotes the goals and values of VON and their role as an integrated community care provider  
• Promotes a safe and healthy workplace, ensuring workplace conduct and activities are in accordance with the provincial Occupational Health and Safety Act and Regulations.  
• Abides by all VON policies and work practices  
• Abides by all confidentiality and protection of personal information policies, regulations and practices and ensures appropriate safeguards are in place within their role  
• Works in collaboration with other staff in a team approach to service delivery

External and Internal Relationships: 

• Liaises with and presents to internal and external stakeholder groups, including governmental agencies in both Ontario and Nova Scotia and other system partners. 
• Establishes effective working relationships and communications with VON national and regional leadership teams to execute priority growth opportunities, partner engagements and business development
• Identifies and develops working relationships with key external stakeholders and represents VON on consultations, negotiations and working groups; and,
• Works closely with external project stakeholders in launching of programs, paying close attention to process and approach for project evaluation and outcomes. 

Education, Designations and Experience: 

• Post-secondary degree in a Health Care Profession, Social Sciences, Business Administration, Health Policy or related field. Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in program planning, health policy, project management, and/or strategic planning (in a health-related environment preferred). 
• Knowledge of Provincial health care systems, objectives, emerging trends, and challenges. 
• A strong understanding of LEAN principles and methodologies, LEAN certification (minimum Green Belt) is preferred.
• Project Management designation or certification considered an asset. 
• Proven experience leading projects and work teams, from program ideation to delivery and iteration, to solve and meet strategic growth objectives. 
• Demonstrated analytical, problem solving, conflict resolution, negotiation, strategic and systems thinking and decision-making skills.
• Experience working with qualitative and quantitative data and ability to analyze information to identify priorities and emerging issues.
• Experience conducting literature reviews, environmental scans, and appraisal and synthesis of research and other information to inform service delivery.
• Experience in policy analysis, development, modernization processes and implementation. 
• Advisory and consultation skills to discuss and resolve diverse and competing policy and program related issues. 
• Prior experience working in a Home and Community organization considered an asset.
• Prior experience in business development considered an asset.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Suite applications, internet, email, and the ability to use health information systems for decision support.

Skill Requirements: 

• Strategic thinker who has a strong understanding of funding opportunities within the Health and Community sector, keeps current on trends and industry developments, understands home and community care operations and can articulate a plan and translate it into strategies to support the achievement of organizational objectives
• Provides a positive example to VON by acting as a change champion, modelling an openness to learning new things and exploring new possibilities.
• Embeds a people-centered approach to program development and implementation •    Ability to exercise innovation and initiative in solving problems and identifying opportunities
• Strong project management skills.
• Strong planning, analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to relate effectively with people and resolve conflict with both internal and external parties.
• Ability to work collaboratively to resolve issues and negotiate changes and shifts in priorities. 
• Excellent change leadership skills.
• Strong active listening and critical thinking skills.
• Strong research and investigative skills.
• Excellent written, presentation and oral communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills, including the ability to organize and manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and ambiguity in a time-sensitive environment. 

Other 

• A current and original satisfactory Criminal Records Check is required upon the start of your employment 
• A Vulnerable Sector Search and/or Child Abuse Registry Check may be required
• Travel and irregular work schedules as required

Working conditions and physical demands: This role requires a detail-oriented approach in a dynamic environment, with physical activity including lifting, carrying (using proper techniques), bending, reaching, kneeling, and other movements that emphasize good body mechanics. Individuals in the role are required to walk, sit, stand, and climb stairs throughout the day, with some tasks requiring fine hand movements.

VON Canada is committed to meeting the needs of persons with disabilities and to providing accessibility accommodations for candidates who require them. If you are in need of accessibility support, please visit our website at for further details.

VON Canada is committed to embracing and celebrating equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) as fundamental to living out our values of Respect, Compassion, and Excellence in all that we do.