Director, Stem Cells

Please note this role will work in a hybrid environment. The successful candidate must be located near a Canadian Blood Services major site with a strong preference being for our Ottawa site office (1800 Alta Vista Drive), our Edmonton site office (8249 114 St NW) may also be of consideration, and will be working a mixture of on-site and off-site work based on the parameters for our operations to meet the needs of our donors, our staff and our communities. Currently, employees are expected to have an in-person presence for at least 40% of their work time. This requirement may vary depending upon circumstances.

Job category: Supervisory and management
Job posting ID: 7056

​Employment status: Regular full-time
Possible schedule/FTE: 1.0 

Classification: PTS/MGT/IT B
Salary/Rate of pay: $140,525 to $168,423

Application deadline: 2025-04-11 
 

Application requirements:

• Your up-to-date resume.
• Job specific cover letter.
• We recommend you save a copy of the job posting for reference throughout the recruitment process.

Do you currently work for Canadian Blood Services? All employees must apply via the internal career page.

 Together, we can make all the difference in the lives of others.

Be part of a dynamic, collaborative and caring organization committed to saving and improving lives. Thousands of patients depend on us every day for reliable access to safe blood, plasma, stem cells and organs and tissues. 

If you are looking for a rewarding experience with a values and mission-driven team, join Canada’s Lifeline and make a meaningful difference.

We acknowledge that the work of Canadian Blood Services spans many Territories and Treaty areas across the country, and we are grateful for the Traditional Knowledge Keepers and Elders who have guided us in this important work. We recognize the land and waters that have inspired our work and offer gratitude to those Indigenous peoples on whose territory we work, live and play.

About the role
Canadian Blood Services is looking for a regular full-time Director, Stem Cells to join our dynamic Medical Laboratory and Stem Cell Services team in our Medical Affairs and Innovation division. 

The Medical Affairs and Innovation division provides oversight for innovation and research, organ and stem cell donation and transplantation, the Plasma Protein and Related Products (PPRP) Formulary, patient and donor testing, utilization, donor and clinical services, medical microbiology and epidemiology. Overall, the division ensures medical and scientific support is provided to the ongoing operations of Canadian Blood Services’ work.

In this role, you will be responsible for providing strategic direction, and leadership of the operation, management and expert oversight to Canadian Blood Services’ Stem Cell Program including: 

• Stem Cell Registry 
• Cord Blood Bank 
• Cord Blood for Research program 
• Stem cell manufacturing 
• Current and future cellular therapy initiatives

You will provide leadership and have oversight for the delivery of efficient day-to-day operations and activities of the stem cell program including the release of products and the alignment of service and product provision against demand. This includes securing services from other divisions within Canadian Blood Services to run the business e.g., testing, marketing, donor recruitment.

In collaboration with the medical director(s), you will be responsible for developing and fostering relationships and strong partnerships with internal and external stakeholders at all levels to improve knowledge, understand new opportunities, share research, and raise awareness.

Formula for success

• Utilizing your demonstrated leadership and management skills, you will provide senior leadership to the Stem Cell program.
• Drawing on your continuous improvement mindset, you will seek ways to continuously improve performance as well as meet and surpass goals. Seek ways to do things faster, better and at lower cost, while creating a sense of urgency to get things done. 
• Harnessing your demonstrated knowledge and expertise, you will be accountable and responsible for stem cell strategic and operational planning as well as leading and facilitating the stem cell strategy and planning process to ensure alignment with corporate goals and plans. 
• Leveraging your business management skills, you will be responsible for identifying goals and targets for the stem cells program as you deliver against them and will ensure that the stem cell program operates in a manner which optimizes efficiency and productivity gains, while maintaining compliance with operating procedures and standards. This includes but is not limited to analyzing performance and ensuring effectiveness of operational activities at a national level for all stem cell products and services.  
• Applying your excellent communication and interpersonal skills, you will be responsible for regular updates to the Vice President and EMT members on status, deliverables and risks for the stem cells program and may report to the Board of Directors as required by the business.
• With your quality mindset, you are accountable to ensure compliance with standards of practice as outlined by Health Canada, CSA standards, WMDA, FACT/NetCord, and/or AABB Cellular Therapy standards. 
• Concentrating on your exceptional ability to build relationships with key subject matter experts and influencers, you will engage and collaborate with external stakeholders to create partnerships and build strong relationships with various external stakeholders and other relevant organizations, groups and individuals that contribute to maintaining Canadian Blood Services’ mandate. 
• Focusing on your strong ability to manage internal relationships, you will establish, build and foster working relationship with internal support teams and thrive in a matrix model. 

Desired education and skills

• Post-secondary education in a relevant discipline from a recognized academic institution, preferably an undergraduate degree in health sciences, or public administration. A master’s degree in business or health administration would be considered an asset. 
• Minimum of ten years of progressive management experience, including significant program and staff management/leadership experience in a clinical or health/business environment. 
• Experience in leading large teams is essential.
• Demonstrated knowledge of project management principles, practices, techniques and tools. 
• Experience working in a regulated environment. 
• Knowledge in the field of cellular therapies considered an asset. 
• Experiencing managing complex projects through delegation and monitoring. 
• Experience facilitating meetings and diverse groups. 
• An equivalent combination of education, training and experience may be considered.

What we offer you

• 4 weeks' vacation
• Annual performance award up to 12%
• 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 for at least 40% of the time/ 2 days of the week.
• Depending on where you are located, you may be required to travel monthly to Ottawa, and as required. 

Diversity and inclusion play a vital role in ensuring health equity for patients across Canada. We are committed to reflecting Canada’s population in our organization and fostering an environment where all employees can be their authentic selves, with equal opportunities to succeed and contribute.  

If this role resonates with you, we encourage you to apply by providing your up-to-date resume. This could be your first step towards a meaningful and inspiring career. Come to work each day knowing that you save lives. 

We thank all applicants for their interest. However, only those considered for an interview or those invited to participate in an assessment will be contacted. Emails are sent directly from our system, to ensure you receive them please add donotreply@blood.ca and system@successfactors.com to your safe senders list. 

Applicants who require accommodation should discuss their needs with us.

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