Senior Operating Officer, Northeast Corridor and Site Lead

Help shape the future of healthcare in Alberta! Alberta Health Services (AHS) is seeking a visionary, strategic leader for the role of Senior Operating Officer (SOO) - Northeast Corridor and the Northern Lights Regional Health Centre. This role is the senior operational leader accountable for the day-to-day leadership, performance, integration, and overall operations of the Northern Lights Health Centre acute care hospital, the surrounding Northeast Health Corridor and associated ambulatory and specialty services. Working in partnership with medical leadership, the SOO is responsible for delivering safe, high-quality, patient-centered care. Based out of the Northern Lights Regional Health Centre, this full-service, 24-hour hospital provides emergency, surgical, maternity, intensive care, and cancer treatment services to the City of Fort McMurray, the surrounding Wood Buffalo region and Northeast health corridor. Fort McMurray is a family-forward, thriving city of nearly 85,000 boasting a strong local economy and a thriving arts and cultural scene with something for everyone. Alberta Health Services (AHS) plays an integral role in delivering high-quality acute care services to more than 4.5 million people living in Alberta and residents of other provinces and territories. We are a nation-leading hospital-based service provider operating 106 facilities across the province, dedicated to excellence in patient care. Showcase your leadership skills at AHS, where we strive to foster an environment where patients, clients, and staff feel safe, healthy, valued and supported.

The Senior Operating Officer (SOO) is the senior operational leader accountable for the day-to-day leadership, performance, integration, and overall operation of an urban referral acute care hospital and associated ambulatory and specialty services. Working in partnership with medical leadership, the SOO acts as the local authority for operational decision-making within delegated authority and established organizational policies, performance targets, quality standards, service agreements, and the Hospital-Based Leadership framework and its functional domains: service configuration, clinical care delivery, patient flow, workforce management, financial stewardship, quality improvement, risk management, procurement, capital planning, and community/stakeholder engagement. Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, Clinical Operations, the SOO is the primary operational leader responsible for the management of an assigned urban referral acute care site(s). The SOO has direct operational accountability for services and teams that report up to the position, and is a site-wide coordination, integration, and escalation role for services delivered at the site. The SOO works collaboratively with a variety of internal and external stakeholders to advance organizational priorities and respond to local needs. In addition, the role establishes and maintains effective relationships with academic partners, foundations, and government representatives.

A master’s degree in Health Administration, Business Administration, Public Administration, Health Leadership or related field is preferred. An undergraduate degree in a health profession, healthcare management, or related discipline plus relevant experience may be considered. Minimum 10 years of progressive health care leadership experience in a complex healthcare environment. Minimum 5 years’ experience in a senior leadership position with accountability for hospital operations, clinical services, or major healthcare programs. Regulated healthcare professional background with current registration with an applicable regulatory body. A combination of education, credential and experience may be considered.

Demonstrated experience leading large-scale healthcare operations. Experience leading multidisciplinary healthcare teams in a unionized environment. Experience managing operational and financial resources. Experience implementing quality improvement and patient safety initiatives. Experience building collaborative relationships with physicians, staff, community stakeholders, and partner organizations Leadership experience, with demonstrated competencies in strategic and operational planning, financial and resource management is required. Possess experience in workforce leadership, performance measurement and accountability, and innovation and change leadership. Ability to influence, inspire, and encourage others including those who do not have a reporting relationship. Ability to step in and provide crisis and emergency management if needed. Experienced in relationship management and stakeholder engagement. Valid Alberta’s driver’s license.

Experience in a tertiary, quaternary, academic, or major urban/regional hospital environment is an asset. Leadership, change management, quality improvement, or project management certification. Experience leading large-scale operational, quality, or transformation initiatives. Knowledge of Connect Care and provincial heath care systems. Experience working with academic medicine and health sciences environments.