Senior Lead, Long-Term Health Policy

Business Planning and Strategy Division

Full-time Permanent (Hybrid: 2 days/week in office, 3 days/week WFH)

Target hiring range: $106,849 to $120,206

Background:

The Ontario Hospital Association (OHA) serves as the voice of the provinces public hospitals, supporting them through advocacy, knowledge translation and member engagement, labour relations, and data and analytics with the goal of helping hospitals build a better health system.

The Business Planning and Strategy (BPS) division of the OHA is responsible for the entire business cycle at the association, from strategic planning to execution. The team is designed to enable the organization to effectively plan and execute its strategic and operational objectives. BPS covers a range of key functions and core services including strategy and member relations, finance and business planning, information technology, human resources, corporate governance and enterprise risk management, applied research, long-term health policy, innovation and transformation, and knowledge transfer.

The Applied Research and Long-Term Health Policy team strives to be proactive on core issues affecting Ontario hospitals and is attuned to the broader strategic questions facing the future of the provinces health care system. We work to ensure Ontarios hospitals have a voice in shaping this longer-term vision.

The Position:

Reporting to OHAs Director responsible for Long-Term Health Policy and working closely with the Applied Research and Long-Term Health Policy team and members of the Strategy and Member Relations team, you will:

Propose and explore strategic policy questions aimed at advancing a high performing health system in Ontario and engage in writing the policy positions.
Develop policy recommendations and analyses, policy papers, opinion pieces, speeches, briefing notes, communication materials and presentations for internal and external executive audiences on a variety of health system issues including:
presentations for internal and external executive audiences on a variety of health system issues including:

• a high-performing health system;
• as anchor institutions;
• social determinants of health
• governance and civil society;
• AI and technology;
• equity, diversity and inclusion;
• Indigenous health
• adaptability in a socially and economically changing environment
• and hospital-primary care relationships.

Work with the Senior Lead, Applied Research and applied research and policy team members to apply research-based evidence and determine policy implications and positions for the Ontario health sector.

Review and analyze developments and trends in key policy areas to identify opportunities and challenges to the Ontario health care context.

Contribute and collaborate on all elements of the policy life cycle

Build and foster a network and excellent working relationships with stakeholders within the health system, broader health policy, academic and public administration environments.

Liaise with the Communications team and Strategy and Member Relations team to engage in knowledge transfer and policy application.

Work cross-functionally as a health system policy subject matter expert within OHA to further benefit OHA members.

Although there are no direct reports, you are a mentor within the Applied Research and Long-Term Health Policy team and expected to support and lend your expertise to the growth of the team.

The Candidate:

The ideal candidate is 3-5 years out of academia with experience working in government or the health sector or a national or international policy institute and/or think tank developing well researched and evidence-based policy positions. The successful candidate possesses a law degree, Ph.D. (Ph.D. candidates may also be considered), or a Masters degree in Public Policy, Public Health, Public Administration, or another relevant discipline with knowledge of current issues affecting the health care sector. You have advanced experience in policy development (minimum of 8-10 years), along with well-developed project management skills; strong research and analytical skills.
In addition, you have outstanding writing skills and proven experience drafting long-form policy positions, thought provoking papers, speeches for executives, and briefing materials.
Literature review experience and qualitative life cycle research skills are an asset, including experience in creating interview guides and questions, interviewing, qualitative data analysis and interpretation.

You are a highly motivated self-starter, problem solver, dedicated team player who enjoys working in a collaborative, forward-focused applied research and policy environment and can build successful working relationships.

The ideal candidate is dynamic, positive, collaborative, persuasive, resilient, driven and results-oriented and displays the values of Humility, Discovery, and Passion.

Dont Meet Every Requirement?

If youre excited about working at the OHA but your past experience doesnt quite align with every qualification of this posting, we encourage you to apply. You just might be the right candidate for this or other roles. We are always looking for great talent to join our team.

Why Join the Ontario Hospital Association (OHA)?

Join us in serving Ontarios hospitals to build a better health system. As a not-for-profit association, the OHA offers you a fulfilling role supporting our members through advocacy, knowledge translation and member engagement, labour relations, and data and analytics.

An inspiring and creative place to work, the OHA is your opportunity to change the healthcare system for the better, while having a lot of fun. Youll also be welcomed into a supportive and inclusive environment built on our core values of:

Humility we listen to and respect the view of others

Discovery we explore new ideas and possibilities

Passion we bring energy and enthusiasm to what we do

Our Culture

The OHA is committed to fostering a climate that values equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. We welcome those who have demonstrated a commitment to upholding these values and will assist us in realizing the benefits of embedding these values into the work at every level and department at the OHA. In addition, to correct the conditions of disadvantage in employment in Canada and to bring lived experiences to the work, we encourage applications from Black individuals and Persons of Colour, Indigenous Peoples, women, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ2+ persons, and others who may contribute to the diversity of ideas within our organization. We are committed to the fair assessment of each candidates abilities, and consider their range of experience, including non-traditional career paths.

Employee engagement is key to the success of any business, and thats why the OHA is proud of our 100% employee engagement rate. We consistently survey staff to ensure we can respond to their needs and engage in meaningful conversations to improve our corporate culture. Its why weve been recognized as one of the Best Workplaces in Canada (five times!). Our 2022 Best Places to Work award from Human Resources Director demonstrates our commitment to a culture that upholds diversity, equity, inclusion, mental health, wellness, and compassionate leadership.

As we search for qualified candidates to join our team, their fit with our culture and values are just as important.

Our Perks

Joining the OHA gives you access to a multitude of benefits including:

• The Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan where the OHA matches your contributions.
  
• Fully paid extended health and dental benefits, including travel insurance.
  
• Access to a comprehensive Employee and Family Assistance Program.
  
• A performance management program that provides an annual performance pay on top of your base salary.
  
• Coverage up to $1,000 for home office expenses for new staff.
  
• A Lifestyle Spending Account with $600 to spend on care and wellness.
  
• Tuition assistance and professional development support ($2,000 for general education or $5,000 for a masters program).
  
• Flexible work schedule work from home 3 days per week, onsite hours (10am to 2pm), and summer hours with Fridays off.
  
• Start with 3 weeks of vacation which increases based on years of service.
  
• Extra time off including corporate office closure during the December holiday season, 4 life days and 1 anniversary day.
  
• Peer-to-peer recognition programs where we celebrate each others successes.
  
• Fun staff events and activities to support engagement and team building.
  

To Apply:

Potential applicants are invited to submit a resume and covering letter along with two writing samples. The first writing sample should be concise (less than 3 pages) briefing note and the second should be a longer thought piece/essay/policy position paper that reflects your abilities to draft evidence-based policy positions, by May 26, 2025. These writing samples will be kept confidential, used strictly for the recruitment process, and will not be distributed.

We value the unique skills and experiences each person brings to the OHA and are committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive and accessible environment. We are committed to the requirements of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.

If contacted for an interview, please inform us should accommodation be required.

Application Process and Requirements:

All applicants must be legally entitled to work in Canada. The successful applicant must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (as defined by the Government of Canada) or have a valid vaccination exemption pursuant to the Human Rights Code. Further, they must provide proof of vaccination (or a valid exemption) prior to the start date, provide updated information as necessary, and comply with any ongoing vaccination-related requirements. We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.

WE ARE AN EQUITABLE AND INCLUSIVE EMPLOYER.