Come work as a Vice-President, Research with Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH)!

Reporting to the President & Chief Executive Officer of Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH), the Vice President, Research (VP) role is an opportunity to lead and modernize a world-class research institute that houses leading global researchers and that conducts research that spans the entire continuum of care. A member of the Senior Executive Team, the VP assumes joint accountability for the attainment of the organization’s strategic objectives and is accountable for excellence in research across the entirety of VCH and for overseeing the integration of research into practice to inform the improvement of care. With tremendous internal support for the elevation of research within VCH and for embedding a research and innovation culture within the organization, the VP has executive oversight of the Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute (VCHRI), including its strategy, operations, governance, and direction; and supports the full range of research activities conducted in alignment with VCH’s objectives. The VP fosters a culture of discovery and innovation across the full geography and scope of VCH, whose diversity of population and large catchment area make it a thoroughly unique organization within which to conduct research and bring it to implementation.

The VP will maintain a working relationship with the University of British Columbia Faculty of Medicine, one of the top research and medical faculties in the world, and play a critical role as an ambassador and spokesperson for VCH’s research and academic endeavors provincially, nationally, and internationally. They will foster a culture of continuous improvement and knowledge translation throughout VCH, championing system-level transformational change, while also playing a key role in building the profile and value of research externally and seeking and acquiring financial support and funding for new and existing research endeavors.

The ideal candidate is a recognized scientific leader and researcher with a demonstrated track record of understanding strategic connections to leverage research opportunities at a system-level that can be translated into better patient and client care outcomes. A big picture thinker, they can distill a strategic vision down into practical applications and support a team in fulfilling that vision. Naturally humble and collaborative, the VP brings a strong network of scientific contacts to VCH and has a history of developing successful science and research partnerships within broad transformational science contexts. A confident communicator and spokesperson, the VP is comfortable and skilled at presenting to a wide range of audiences, from the Senior Executive Team to large academic institutions, funders, and individual researchers alike. In addition, they are a skilled leader who has experience leading and managing professional teams through significant change while simultaneously overseeing strategy development and managing the fiscal resources of an organization.

Equity, diversity, & inclusion are essential to Vancouver Coastal Health’s goals of creating a great place to work and delivering exceptional care. We acknowledge and accommodate unique differences and ensure special measures are in place so that all prospective and current employees are given an opportunity to succeed. We are committed to building a representative workforce and encourage applications reflecting diversity of sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization or ancestry, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Metis, Inuit, or Indigenous person.

If you are ready to take on this challenge, please forward your résumé and a covering letter to Shelina Esmail and Matthew Bell at www.pfmsearch.com.

Education & Experience

• Doctoral degree (MD, PhD, or equivalent) in a relevant field of medicine or life sciences.
• Master’s degree in Health, Administration, Business Administration or related health discipline.
• Ten (10) years’ senior leadership experience in developing, implementing and evaluating research programs or service delivery systems, as well as leading major service integration and change, or an equivalent combination of experience and education.
• Holds a UBC or SFU faculty or clinical faculty appointment or is eligible to be appointed at UBC or SFU.
• A demonstrated track record of significant research achievement, as well as experience evaluating complex healthcare systems, and building innovative, sustainable, quality services to support organizational strategy and drive key organizational initiatives.

Knowledge & Abilities

• Develops and maintains strong relationships with key internal and external partners to promote and enhance services provided with sensitivity to diversity and indigenous lens
• Practices the recognition, inclusion and support of all types and aspects of diversity at all stages of engagement, with an understanding of the issues faced by people from equity-seeking groups
• Strong peer-reviewed publication record and research activities with local, regional, national, and international practitioners and policy makers, and competitive research grant funding
• Demonstrated commitment to health system performance and exceptional interpersonal relationship skills capable of inspiring teams, peers, and system level partners
• Demonstrated experience overseeing complex research projects, including supervision of scientific and support staff
• Demonstrated experience overseeing complex research projects, including supervision of scientific and support staff
• Strong understanding of relevant accreditation standards, provincial legislation, health statutes and regulations
• Demonstrated experience supporting the creation of an organizational vision and leading programs and teams both operationally and strategically including but not limited to medical governance, research, and academic affairs
• Demonstrated knowledge of structures and leadership roles to support patient-centeredness frameworks
• Collaborates effectively with internal and external partners to develop, manage and evaluate programs and services considering patient/client needs, service delivery interrelationships and service potential
• Maintains up-to-date knowledge of legislative policy development and processes of various levels of government to ensure well-informed decision-making.
• Uses strong leadership, strategic thinking, problem solving and innovation to develop effective strategies and ensure the attainment of goals and objectives
• Uses sound business acumen to manage the fiscal resources of assigned programs/services in a manner that is financially responsible and consistent with the overall goals of the organization
• Continuously seeks to develop and improve service delivery standards and practices
• Physical ability to perform the duties of the position.

As per Ministry of Health policy, all health care workers working in publicly-funded health care facilities are required to report their past receipt of certain vaccines or history of certain infections. Collecting these records will allow for offering of any missing vaccines, and for appropriate actions to be taken in the event of any future exposure to a communicable disease or during outbreaks. For all new hires and appointments to Vancouver Coastal Health, you will be asked to provide this information as part of the onboarding process.

WHY JOIN VANCOUVER COASTAL HEALTH?

VCH is a world class innovator in medical care, research and teaching, delivering service to more than one million BC residents. At VCH, we embrace thinking boldly, taking smart risks, and "going first" when we believe it will lead to the best possible outcomes for patients and their families. We invite you to join us in creating healthy lives in healthy communities by showcasing our passion for care, connection to the communities we serve and our culture of teamwork that makes VCH a great place to work.

• Comprehensive health benefits package, including MSP, extended health and dental and municipal pension plan
• Grow your career with employer-paid training and leadership development opportunities
• Wellness supports, including counselling, critical incident and innovative wellness services are available to employees and their immediate families
• Award-winning recognition programs to honour staff, medical staff and volunteers

At Vancouver Coastal Health, our vision of healthy lives in healthy communities inspires us and our values and pillars guide us. We support equitable practices, diverse teams and inclusive environments, which are vital to creating welcoming spaces where everyone can bring their whole selves to work and feel supported. We encourage applications from equity-deserving communities, including Indigenous Peoples and members of racialized groups, people with disabilities and people of all gender identities and expressions and sexual orientation.

Vancouver Coastal Health is proud to be recognized as one of Canada's Top 100 Employers in 2024.

Only short-listed applicants will be contacted for this posting.


***Employees of VCH must apply online via the Internal Career Portal on CareerHub, you are currently viewing the External Career Portal. Refer to the https://my.vch.ca/working-here/job-postings site for instructions on how to view internal job postings and how to apply as an employee. Current VCH employees who apply to this posting using this external site will be considered as an external candidate. Seniority will not apply.***

Thank you for your interest in Vancouver Coastal Health.