Chief Information Officer – Public Health Ontario

Public Health Ontario (PHO) is a government agency dedicated to protecting and promoting the health of all Ontarians and reducing inequities in health.

Established pursuant to the Ontario Agency for Health Protection and Promotion Act, (2007) and overseen by a Board of Directors, Public Health Ontario links public health practitioners, front-line health workers and researchers to the best scientific intelligence and knowledge from around the world.

Reporting to the President and CEO, the Chief Information Officer (CIO) is a key member of the Executive Leadership Team and is accountable for strategic and operational leadership to support the current and future digital vision of PHO. The CIO partners with the senior team to develop PHO’s digital roadmap, and external partners and provincial leaders to develop and integrate our digital systems.

Key Accountabilities

• Lead the development of a digital transformation and data stewardship vision and strategy that will contribute to improved delivery of PHO’s services to our client base, community partners, coworkers, and with government.
• Create and own PHO’s digital roadmap and ensure that digital initiatives support PHO’s strategic priorities and strategic direction. Provide strategic executive leadership in the delivery of a broad range of information management technology and data management services across all PHO, including our public health laboratory and office environments.
• Champion a culture of innovation in service delivery, including strategy, policy, and measures of success of digital initiatives.
• Integrate existing, new, and emerging information technologies.
• Strengthen PHO’s digital capabilities to enable advanced analytics, data science, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and robotics.
• Working with the Ministry of Health (MOH), Ontario Health (OH), represent PHO in the design and delivery of a connected public health service delivery model enabled by digital and data.
• Leverage advancements in other industries to drive innovation in PHO’s service delivery.
• Provide executive level subject matter expertise to inform the development and implementation of information technology solutions for our public laboratory.
• With the introduction of new technologies, provide for technical service support, education and training programs and evaluation and validation of the new technologies.
• As a member of the executive team, support effective governance through presentation at Board of Directors and Committee meetings on portfolio specific accountabilities.
• Manage the reputation and image of the agency through inspired leadership, and culture development.
• Lead the development of portfolio budgetary strategies and implement strategic investment decisions that are effective and aligned with the agency’s vision/mission.
• Champion the organization’s values in all agency business.
• Provide executive leadership in establishing accountability, risk and quality management systems that track the portfolio and agency’s effectiveness and impact, and ensures risk mitigation strategies are developed and implemented.
• Ensure adherence to government directives and policies in conjunction with the President and Chief Executive Officer and executive colleagues.
• Develop collaborative partnerships with other public and private sector organizations and maintain strong working relationships with senior government officials, and health system leaders to advance PHO’s agenda.
• Oversee senior level leaders and professionals of multi-disciplines; ensure organizational values and culture are imbedded in all areas of responsibility throughout the departments; coach and mentor direct reports to advance their leadership skills.
• Represent PHO on external committees as appropriate or required.
• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge and Skills

• Ability to manage competing priorities.
• Highly effective presentation and facilitation skills, capable of conveying sophisticated concepts and processes into clear language—both verbally and in writing.
• Advanced critical and strategic thinking, analytical, business, decision-making, planning, problem solving, conflict management, and negotiation skills.
• Proven ability to resolve complex problems involving people, processes, and programs.

Education and Experience

• Minimum of 10 years of progressive information technology and data systems leadership experience in a highly specialized and complex scientific, academic or public health laboratory environment, and 5 years of experience at the executive level is preferred.
• Demonstrated expertise in data stewardship and governance.
• Track record of achieving digital adoption using innovative approaches and techniques.
• Demonstrated experience in a senior role with accountability for information technology, digital strategies and working with various systems, platforms, applications, and vendors.
• Success with continuous improvement initiatives, resulting in improved operational performance.
• Experience in personal data protection, information security, cybersecurity, and enterprise risk.
• Progressive leadership in laboratory technology services or other public health settings managing complex technology focused portfolios.
• Master of Business Administration, Master Information Systems would be an asset or equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.

Attributes and Competenciese

• Committed to embedding anti-racism, equity, diversity, and inclusion principles in all aspects of operations, fostering a diverse and inclusive culture and environment.
• Respected team player who cultivates productive collaborations and consistently seeks creative and dynamic solutions.
• Established credibility as a visionary leader who has shaped the strategic direction and success of digital transformations in organizations of comparable scale and complexity.
• Exceptional team leadership: coaches, delegates, empowers, inspires, and motivates people at all levels and builds team capacity and succession plans.

To express interest in this exciting leadership opportunity, please submit your cover letter and resume, in confidence.

For additional information, contact Sarah Adams at sarah@miramsbecker.com.

Public Health Ontario and Mirams Becker are committed to employment equity and diversity in the workplace; we welcome applications from women, racially visible individuals, people with disabilities, Indigenous peoples, and 2SLGBTQ+ persons. Public Health Ontario is an equal-opportunity employer committed to an inclusive, barrier-free recruitment and selection process. Requests for accommodation can be made at any stage of the recruitment process providing the applicant has met the bonafide requirements for the open position. If contacted for this employment opportunity, please advise if you require any accommodation.