JOB PROFILE
Position #30500
Title:
Executive Director, Mental Health and Substance Use
Classification: Strategic Leadership
Work Unit
Mental Health and Substance Use
Position #
30500
Ministry of Health
Health Services Policy Division
Supervisor Title
Assistant Deputy Minister, Primary &
Community Care Policy Division
Position #
29903
OVERVIEW
The Primary & Community Care Division sets the foundation for the delivery of high quality health services by
establishing patient centered health services policy for the delivery of provincial health care services. The division
monitors quality assurance in the system, designs service delivery models that meet the needs of patients and works
with service delivery partners on key actions and quality improvement initiatives
PROGRAM
This position sets the strategic direction and oversees the provincial framework and operations for mental health and
substance use services through high level strategic and operational planning and policy development as well as
implementing key initiatives.
The Executive Director provides strategic direction and leadership, defining program objectives and provincial
program management of:
o Substance Use Services
o Child/Youth Mental Health Services
o Acute, Residential and Specialized Mental Health Services
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES
1. Working with the Ministry's Executive Committee, establishes and provides strategic direction for mental
health and substance use services program delivery and implementation; undertakes strategic research to
support evidence based changes to the continuum of services, and service redesign
2. Leads the development of evidence-based public policy, and identifies sustainable health care system
accountability and standards, to improve the quality and access to mental health and substance use services
system of care. Develops new integrated strategies and models of care for specific populations and/or service
areas in collaboration with other ministries, health authorities and stakeholders.
3. Ensures the successful implementation of province-wide initiatives/policies aimed at providing high quality,
safe delivery of mental health and substance use services province wide. Develops and directs the
implementation and evaluation of performance standards, service levels and operations. Monitors and
evaluates health authority performance against program objectives; recommends and implements
appropriate consequences for compliance and non-compliance (incentives and remedial measures)
4. Provides strategic leadership or management of controversial, complex or politically sensitive projects, files
and special initiatives, and provides provincial coordination and oversight of urgent or emerging issues.
5. Stimulates acceleration of transformational change in the health system. Establishes and maintains strong
working relationships with a wide range of partners. Develops comprehensive and coordinated approaches
to address health care management priorities, increase willingness to participate in change, and make
progress towards the ministry’s strategic goals and objectives.
6. Represents the ministry at regional, provincial, national and international events.
7. Leads or participates in the development and implementation of new legislation, regulations, policies, best
management practices, guidelines, tools and systems.
8. Establishes and maintains strong working relationships with a wide range of partners. Develops
comprehensive and coordinated approaches to address health care management priorities, increase
willingness to participate in change, and make progress towards the ministry’s strategic goals.
9. Develops issue papers, business cases, forecasts and reports regarding program delivery, operation and
amendment for ministry executive.
10. Supervises staff including assignment of work, development and evaluation of performance plans, approval
of leave, response to grievances and initiation of discipline processes
11. Provides technical and strategic leadership to managers and staff in the application and interpretation of
legislation, regulations and/or policies.
12. Manages branch human resources, budgets, agreements and other aspects of program and service delivery.
13. Reporting to the Executive Director are 3 Directors with program accountabilities, each with two to five team
members
14. Manages a branch budget and 15 FTEs +/QUALIFICATIONS
 Degree (Master’s preferred) in business/public administration, health sciences, social work, social sciences,
nursing, medicine or a related field and a minimum of 6 years of progressive and recent, related experience*
OR
 Diploma in business/public administration, health sciences, social work, social sciences, nursing, medicine or
a related field and a minimum of 7 years of progressive and recent, related experience* OR
 A minimum of 8 years of progressive and recent, related experience may be considered at the discretion of
the hiring manager for applicants with no formal post-secondary education*
*Recent related experience must include:
 Leading and/or directing (preferred) or managing programs (experience in Mental Health and Substance Use
preferred) with high public profiles, large budgets and divergent stakeholder issues, preferably in the health
care sector
 Leading and/or directing program evaluation and monitoring for health sector programs (Mental Health and
Substance Use preferred) or social service programs
 Leading change
 Progressive leadership experience
 Experience on an executive or senior management team demonstrating collaboration and sensitivity to
stakeholder perspectives
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE
 Comprehensive knowledge of the organizational structure, mandate and programs of the Ministry of Health
 Comprehensive knowledge of the mandate and programs of relevant health sector partners (Unions,
Associations, Health Authorities, Regulatory bodies, etc)
 Comprehensive knowledge of the relevant acts, regulations and policies such as the Health Authorities Act,
Mental Health Act, Hospital Act etc.
 Extensive knowledge of trends, innovations and developments in health care
 Extensive knowledge of the health care industry/sector and respective organizations
 In depth knowledge of broader social, political, cultural, economic, environment considerations that impact
health care service delivery
 Considerable knowledge of health service direction, priorities, and related issues
REQUIRED SKILLS
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Demonstrated leadership skills including establishing vision, goals and direction; oversight and supervision of
multiple work units and staff; administration including financial and HR management.
Demonstrated ability to:
o Lead planning, forecasting, strategic sessions and initiatives to implement the key priorities and
further government goals
o Develop health program performance goals, standards and guidelines
o Review and assess challenging health service issues and recommend remedial measures
o Anticipate issues and trends, identify service delivery implications
o Investigate and resolve emerging issues and effectively address issues of compliance
o Successfully establish and maintain cooperative and productive working relationships with internal
and external partners at a senior level
Superior written and verbal communication skills
Excellent interpersonal, analytical and consulting skills
BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES
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Building strategic alliances: Building Strategic Alliances involves knowledge and skills to engage in internal
and external stakeholder analysis and to negotiate agreements and alliances based on a full understanding of
power and politics.
Vision and goal setting: Vision and goal setting involves knowledge and skills in establishing official and
operative goals for the organization/units and to establish a system of measuring effectiveness of goal
attainment.
Creating and managing change: Creating and managing change involves knowledge and skills to manage in
the organization through setting direction and urgency, building a coalition of support, communicating
widely, handling resistance to change and facilitating implementation of successful change actions.
Solving problems creatively: Solving problems creatively involves knowledge and skills in fostering creative
problem solving in the organization through critical reflection, problem analysis, risk assessment and
rewarding innovation.
Promoting empowerment: Promoting empowerment involves knowledge and skills in using processes such
as delegation and information sharing to enhance subordinate ownership and empowerment over their task
and performance.
Executive presence: Building Executive Presence involves knowledge and skills in influencing others and
having an observable impact at the executive level, through personal credibility, leadership, confidence, and
an understanding of other people’s perspectives and interests.
Stakeholder relations - communicating effectively: Communicating effectively involves good presentation
skills (verbal and written), careful listening, problem framing and use of presentation technologies.
Service Delivery – motivating for peak performance: Motivating for peak performance involves knowledge
and skills in using motivational techniques such as job design, role clarification, reward systems and
performance appraisal to motivate optimum subordinate performance.