Associate Director, Organ and Tissue Donation and Transplantation (Program Operations)

About the role

Canadian Blood Services is looking for a regular full-time Associate Director, Organ and Tissue Donation and Transplantation (Program Operations) to join our dynamic Organ and Tissue Donation and Transplantation (OTDT) team in our Medical Affairs and Innovation (MAI) division.

The Organ and Tissue Donation and Transplantation team within Canadian Blood Services collaborates with partners and stakeholders (internal and external) to develop and strengthen the foundational elements that contribute to a high-performing organ and tissue donation and transplantation system. It also develops and operates a number of registries through which Canadian Blood Services’ supports the sharing of solid organs-for-transplant within and across provincial boundaries. Canadian Blood Service’s OTDT Program also acts as the Secretariat for the System Operators Advisory Committee, a critical committee in a governance structure that will oversee pan-Canadian collaboration in OTDT health care services.

In this role, you will be a member of the OTDT program’s senior leadership team and will work closely with other program leaders to promote a “one program” approach to leadership and will role model Canadian Blood Services’ leadership commitments:

• we set the tone for our culture
• we build and support great teams
• we achieve results and seek continuous improvement

You will be a people-first leader and administrator with the breadth of skills, experience and knowledge necessary to lead, guide and support a team of direct and indirect reports, who have a wide range of skills, expertise, knowledge and experience. You will be specifically responsible for strategic direction in public education and awareness activities and initiatives on behalf of the national community. This includes thought leadership and strategic planning in collaboration with ODOs and transplant programs, patient partner organizations, funders and international counterparts in OTDT. Key stakeholders include CBS Medical Advisors, subject matter experts, OTDT administrative and clinical thought leaders, creative agencies, communications and marketing, government relations, stakeholder relations and other critical internal colleagues. You will foster a high degree of innovation, collaboration, and partnership in achieving high quality outcomes through planning, managing, leading and implementing national public education and awareness initiatives, processes, and policy. You will also be responsible for the administrative, operational, and fiscal oversight of all areas of program operations, committee logistics and event management. You will also lead multiple teams engaged in a variety of activities to support cross functional work, and lead the strategy related to national campaigns and engagement to support improving public education and awareness of OTDT in Canada.

To succeed in this role, you will need to rely on, guide and nurture your team, build, strengthen and maintain positive and productive relationships with stakeholders in all parts of OTDT health care services in Canada, including senior administrators and leaders, clinical specialists, researchers and patient partners, and be able to  provide and maintain a psychologically safe and inclusive work environment for all staff and the stakeholders with whom we partner. You will be well versed in the OTDT landscape in Canada, a seasoned leader with experience in public health, education, stakeholder relations, community engagement, science communications, and marketing, and provide advice and counsel to other leaders in OTDT and across CBS related to emerging issues, stakeholder engagement, and education and awareness strategies.

Formula for success

• Lead a diverse team of professionals. Fostering and nurturing the growth and development of people is a critical function of the Associate Director role. All leaders are expected to help provide/maintain a safe and inclusive work environment for all staff across all functional groups.
• Role models program, organization, and system-wide collaboration in service of advancing patient outcomes and system-level priorities
• Commits to coaching and developing OTDT staff, including but not limited to direct and indirect reports.
• Participates in the development and promotion of a compelling vision and direction for the OTDT Program and communicates and aligns the plans and priorities for all activities related to the program operations functional area with this vision.
• Maintains constructive relationships with all departments within the program, division and across Canadian Blood Services to achieve results; ensures crosscorporate collaboration in executing corporate priorities.
• Co-creates a clear and compelling vision for a strong and cohesive OTDT public education and awareness strategy focused on: deceased donation, living donation, transplantation, tissue, and system performance metrics/data and analytics.
• Plans, directs, leads, and contributes to creation, adoption, adaptation and dissemination of public education programs that increase understanding of OTDT in Canada.
• Prioritizes education initiatives to ensure capacity to deliver efficiently and effectively to under resourced system partners.
• Creates synergies among system partners including ODOs, hospital programs, patient groups and other key players to ensure comprehensive and impactful approaches to national awareness.
• Consults regularly with medical advisors, Organ Donation Organizations, transplant programs, patient partners, and other members of and partners within the OTDT community to ensure bi-directional information sharing related to community initiatives and activities, operational challenges and opportunities for improvement and growth.
• Collaborates with internal partners to design, build and deliver platforms and programs that serve system stakeholders and the general public while aligning with CBS strategies and system priorities.
• Provides leadership and support for relevant public education and awareness activities, for both deceased and living donation including CBS Advisory Committees.
• Owns the portfolio and project management processes within the program operations team, including guidance on corporate practice and reporting requirements
• Provides oversight for team supporting OTDT research contracts, RFPs, procurement, and other finance activities specific to this portfolio.

Desired education and skills

• Post-Secondary degree (BA, BSc, or higher) and additional post graduate education from an accredited university in Communications, Education, Health Policy, Business Administration, or related area of graduate study is required.
• Ten years of progressive experience at the leadership level in a not for profit, health care environment including formal experience in organ and tissue donation and transplantation.
• Must possess exceptional written and verbal communications skills, including presentation delivery.
• Knowledge and understanding of organ and tissue donation or transplantation services.
• Project management, portfolio management and change management expertise.
• Formal training and expertise in strategic communications, public health policy or project management would be considered an asset.
• Knowledge and understanding of publicly funded health system design, development, and delivery and of public health or non-profit communications, marketing, stakeholder relations, government relations, or similar.
• Demonstration of ongoing professional development and knowledge of current and new trends and best practices in OTDT.
• Demonstration of understanding education principles and communication of complex topics.
• Proven stakeholder relationship management skills and capabilities in leading large-scale initiatives.
• An equivalent combination of education, training and experience may be considered.

What we offer you

• 4 weeks' vacation
• Annual performance award up to 10%
• Comprehensive group health, dental and vision benefits for you and your family
• Defined benefit pension plan
• Employee discounts, wellness program, professional resources

What you can expect

• This role will work in a hybrid environment with requirements to be onsite at Canadian Blood Services location 40% of the time/days of the week.
• You will be required to travel 4-5 times per year for conferences, as well as 4 times per year for meetings, and as required.