Program Director

Acute Care Alberta is leading an important phase of Alberta’s health system transformation by advancing a Patient Focused Funding (PFF) model that aligns funding with patient volumes, quality, and outcomes. Working in close collaboration with the Government of Alberta and operators, the Director, PFF Program, Acute Care Alberta, is central to building a transparent, accountable, and high-performing funding model in alignment with provincial health priorities. This is a career-defining opportunity requires a comprehensive skill set to lead a foundational reform in Alberta’s healthcare system. The role offers the chance to shape funding policy, influence performance culture, and strengthen system stewardship, sustainability and accountability of healthcare delivery. This is a pivotal, system-shaping role ideal for a strategic thinker and relationship builder with deep understanding of health system funding, health economics, and performance management. This position will be part of Acute Care Alberta effective April 1, 2025. By applying on this posting, if you are the successful candidate, you agree to and will become an employee of Acute Care Alberta.

Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer, the Director, Patient Focused Funding (PFF) Program provides strategic and operational leadership for the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of Alberta’s PFF model. Collaborating with multidisciplinary experts, the Director will ensure the PFF Model advances health system priorities for quality, safety, performance, and fiscal sustainability. As the primary liaison for Acute Care Alberta on PFF activities, you will build a high-performing PFF Program team and foster strong collaborative relationships with the Government of Alberta, operators, clinicians, corporate services, and other stakeholders to support effective policy implementation. You will advise the CFO and ACA Executive Team on emerging risks, trends, and performance, and manage issue resolution to maintain program stability and credibility. The Director will set strategic direction for PFF reporting, ensuring all outputs are accurate, timely, and compliant with legislative and policy requirements. You will serve as the key point of contact for PFF communications, keeping stakeholders informed and aligned, and ensuring value for money and system stewardship. Finally, you will oversee the design and evaluation of the PFF model, including the annual development of pricing frameworks, classification systems, coding standards, and modifiers. Leveraging data and analytics, you will measure performance, demonstrate outcomes, and guide the model’s ongoing evolution.

Master’s degree in health administration, public policy, finance, accounting, health economics, or a related discipline (or equivalent experience). 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in healthcare funding, financial strategy, or system performance. Proven experience in stakeholder management, governance coordination, and policy implementation. Exceptional verbal and written communication, analytical, and strategic problem-solving skills. Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams in a complex, multi-stakeholder environment. Strong understanding of health funding models, cost allocation, and performance measurement. Familiarity with healthcare data analytics.

Experience collaborating with senior leadership and stakeholders across organizations. Results orientation and client/ customer service focus. Effective change management skills. Flexibility and ability to determine multiple priorities within wide scope of responsibilities. Proven ability to collaborate with team members and with senior leaders and their teams. Impeccable attention to detail and discretion in dealing with highly confidential information. Ability to influence, negotiate, and mediate resolutions to complex situations. Proven ability to communicate effectively with a wide variety of audiences and to foster partnerships with key stakeholders to achieve organizational goals. A proven record of engaging in ethical conduct.

Previous experience with activity-based funding in a Canadian or international publicly funded healthcare setting Experience in policy development and writing. Deep understanding of activity-based or patient-focused funding, cost modeling, and health system finance. Experience developing and maintaining high-level relationships with government, health authorities, and provider organizations. Strong financial acumen and ability to translate economic and operational data into actionable strategy.