Vacancy Detail

Director Health and People Equity

Status: Full Time
Location:Lakeridge Health Corporate Office - Whitby, Ontario
Wage Schedule: $74.630 - $106.820 per hour
Division: Executives
Schedule: Days, On-Call - 8 Hour Shifts (Subject to Change)
File Number: NON 2600002607

Lakeridge Health is more than a hospital. It is a health network that includes five hospitals, a long-term care home, a community-based surgical centre, and more than 30 community sites across the Durham Region. Guided by our vision of One System. Best Health. and supported by a dedicated team of nearly 9,000 staff, physicians, and volunteers, Lakeridge Health is a place where the best people want to start, grow, and finish their careers in health care. We are focused on fostering an environment that’s inclusive, compassionate, innovative, and joyful.  

At Lakeridge Health, we are committed to creating a healthcare system where every person feels respected, valued and supported to achieve their full potential. We recognize that equitable health outcomes and inclusive workplace experiences are essential to delivering exceptional care and service to the diverse communities we serve. 

JOB SUMMARY:

Reporting to the Health System Executive, Clinical, and working in close partnership with the Chief & Medical Director, Health Equity and Population Health, the Director, Health and People Equity provides strategic leadership and organizational accountability for advancing health equity, accessibility, inclusion, anti-racism, anti-oppression, human rights and workforce equity across Lakeridge Health. 

The Director serves as the organization's senior administrative advisor on complex equity matters and is responsible for establishing enterprise-wide strategies, governance structures, policies, education programs, performance measures and accountability frameworks that advance equitable outcomes for patients, families, physicians, staff, learners, volunteers and communities. 

This role leads transformational change by embedding equity principles into care delivery, workforce practices, organizational culture, leadership development and community engagement. Working collaboratively across clinical, operational, academic and community settings, the Director will help shape a healthcare system where accessibility, inclusion and belonging are integrated into every aspect of the patient and employee experience. 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Strategic Human Rights and Health Equity Leadership

* Lead the development and execution of Lakeridge Health's Health Equity Strategy, aligned with organizational priorities and strategic objectives.
* Establish enterprise-wide goals, key performance measures and accountability frameworks for health equity, accessibility, inclusion, anti-racism, anti-oppression and human rights.
* Provide expert strategic advice to senior leaders on emerging trends, legislative requirements, organizational risks and leading practices.
* Sponsor and oversee major initiatives that improve equitable access, experiences and outcomes for patients, staff, physicians and learners.
* Lead multi-year strategic and operational planning for the Health Equity and Human Rights portfolio.


Governance and Organizational Risk

* Ensure organizational compliance with the Ontario Human Rights Code, Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), Occupational Health and Safety Act and related legislation.
* Provide expert guidance and recommendations on identifying, addressing and removing systemic barriers and inequities across the organization.
* Partner with Legal, Labour Relations, Risk Management, Medical Affairs, Education and other stakeholders on complex matters with legal, financial or reputational implications.
* Lead the development and implementation of policies, education and organizational practices that promote human rights, anti-racism, accessibility and equitable behaviours.
* Conduct organizational assessments, climate reviews and evaluations to identify opportunities for improvement and develop action plans that foster respectful, inclusive workplaces.


Health Equity Strategy and Population Health Partnership

* Collaborate with internal and external partners to advance health equity, population health and social accountability priorities across the organization.
* Provide subject matter expertise to clinical and corporate programs to integrate health equity principles into service delivery, policies, programs and care practices.
* Lead strategies for the ethical collection, analysis, governance and reporting of sociodemographic data to identify and address inequities.
* Build and maintain meaningful partnerships with diverse communities and stakeholders to ensure services are culturally safe, responsive and reflective of community needs.
* Support the development and implementation of Indigenous health equity initiatives in partnership with Indigenous leaders, communities and advisory groups.


Organizational Education, Culture and Change Leadership

* Provide leadership and expertise to strengthen an organizational culture where equity, inclusion, accessibility and anti-racism are embedded in all aspects of the employee, physician and learner experience.
* Partner with People and Culture, Medical Affairs and Organizational Development to advance equitable recruitment, retention, promotion, mentorship and professional development practices.
* Oversee education, training and capacity-building initiatives that promote cultural humility, diversity, equity, inclusion and social accountability across the organization.


Planning, Performance Measurement, Analytics and Reporting

* Develop, monitor and report on organizational strategies, objectives, metrics and outcomes related to health equity, anti-racism, accessibility and social accountability.
* Present progress updates and strategic recommendations to senior leadership, community partners and the Board of Directors.
* Lead accessibility planning, organizational reporting and continuous improvement initiatives to ensure equitable and accessible environments, services and experiences for staff, patients and visitors.


QUALIFICATIONS:

* Master's degree in Public Health, Health Administration, Public Administration, Social Work, Law, Organizational Development, Human Resources, Equity Studies or a related discipline, or an equivalent combination of education, professional experience, community leadership, lived experience and relevant training.
* Minimum 10 years of progressively responsible leadership experience advancing organizational culture, health equity, accessibility, human rights, workforce equity, inclusion, social accountability, or transformational change initiatives within complex organizations. Experience gained within healthcare, public health, health administration, public administration, social work, law, organizational development, human resources, equity studies, or related sectors is preferred.
* Demonstrated experience applying anti-oppression, anti-racism, equity, diversity, inclusion, accessibility and belonging principles to influence organizational strategy, programs, policies, systems or culture. 
* Advanced knowledge of the Ontario Human Rights Code and related legislation. 
* Knowledge of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). 
* Proven ability to influence and collaborate with senior leaders, physicians, community partners and multidisciplinary stakeholders. 
* Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, facilitate constructive dialogue, build collaborative relationships, and support organizational change across diverse stakeholder groups. 
* Demonstrated commitment to our core values of Inclusion, Compassion, Innovation, Teamwork and Joy
* Demonstrated understanding of and commitment to Lakeridge Health's comprehensive safety programs and practices including staff, patient and environmental safety and participation in regular in-service in this area.


At Lakeridge Health, we value inclusion and diversity. We are committed to fostering a culture that is respectful, inclusive, and accessible. We are committed to employing a workforce that is representative of the diverse community we provide services to and welcome applications from all qualified applicants from all backgrounds.

Accommodation will be provided in all parts of the recruitment and assessment process in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). If you require any accommodation at any point during the application and hiring process, please contact recruitment@lh.ca .

Unless specifically stated, all job postings at Lakeridge Health are to fill existing vacancies within our organization. Lakeridge Health may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools as part of the recruitment and screening process. A member of our Talent Acquisition team is actively engaged in the Recruitment and Selection process to ensure a fair and thorough assessment of applicants.

Lakeridge Health thanks all those who apply, however, only candidates considered for an interview will be contacted.



CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

The terms and conditions of employment are in accordance with Lakeridge Health's policies and procedures.

Successful applicants must provide a satisfactory Criminal Investigation Reference for the vulnerable sector, dated within the past six (6) months.

Lakeridge Health is committed to providing a safe and healthy work environment for all team members and patients. New Lakeridge Health team members will be required to complete a Pre-employment Health Assessment as a condition of employment.