Executive Director, Mental Health Substance Use

Client Organization: Island Health Position Title: Executive Director, Mental Health Substance Use Reports to: Vice President, Clinical Services, Acute Care North & Community Services Location: The successful candidate must reside/relocate to Vancouver Island THE COMPANY Island Health provides health and care services to more than 885,000 people on Vancouver Island, the islands in the Salish Sea and the Johnstone Strait, and mainland communities north of Powell River.

With more than 30,000 health care professionals, including more than 3,000 doctors, nurse practitioners midwives and dentists that make up our Medical Staff – as well as 1,000 volunteers, and the dedicated support of 12 foundations and 19 active auxiliaries, Island Health delivers a broad range of health services, including: public health services, primary health care, home and community care, mental health and substance use services, acute care in hospitals, and much more across a huge and geographically diverse region.

We believe that our values guide our actions and relationships, shaping how we make decisions and plan for the future.

At Island Health, C.A.R.E.

guides everything we do: Courage: To do the right thing – to change, innovate and grow.

Aspire: To the highest degree of quality and safety.

Respect: To value each individual and bring trust to every relationship.

Empathy: To give the kind of care we would want for our loved ones.

Island Health continues to be selected for top employer awards, including BC Top Employer (2023) . Employees may be eligible for exceptional employer-paid benefit packages including dental and prescription coverage, group live, long-term disability and an extensive extended health plan, as well as vacation, leave, and municipal pension benefits.

LIVING ON THE ISLAND Surrounded by ocean, Vancouver Islanders enjoy the best year-round climate in Canada with warm summers and mild winters.

Imagine skiing, golfing and scuba diving all in the same day The relaxed pace, easy access to outdoor activities, an abundance of art, music, theatre and festivals ensures that there is something for everyone.

Whatever the lifestyle you are looking for, we have it here.

THE OPPORTUNITY Reporting to the Vice President, Clinical Services, Acute Care North & Community Services, the Executive Director (ED) Mental Health & Substance Use (MHSU) has a critical and strategic role in building and sustaining the MHSU portfolio.

The successful candidate will have experience in the mental health sector, or related experience in the broader health, social or community services sectors.

With an approximate head count of 3,500 employees within this portfolio, this role is needing an inspirational, trusted and credible leader and mentor to staff; a strong relationship builder to gain confidence with a diverse list of internal and external partners.

As the strategic and clinical governance sponsor of MHSU on Vancouver Island, the ED works with their portfolio partners to effectively integrate and standardize major components of a complex and comprehensive health system.

Working as part of a co-management team in partnership with the Executive Medical Director, the ED is jointly responsible for the overall leadership and direction for programs and services within the portfolio.

The ED ensures optimal patient care and outcomes within the vision, mission and values of Island Health, is responsible for effective and client-focused delivery of health and clinical services, community engagement, and provides leadership and support to address issues that cross sites and community boundaries.

This will all occur within the context of a rapidly evolving healthcare environment.

The ED directs the development and implementation of service delivery models, business plans, priorities, goals and operating budget, including people, financial and physical resources.

In accordance with the vision, purpose, values, and strategic direction of Island Health, patient safety is a priority and a responsibility shared by everyone; as such, the requirement to continuously improve quality and safety is inherent in all aspects of this position.

PRIMARY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY In partnership with the Executive Medical Director dyad partner, develops and oversees clinical programs and operations to ensure the health delivery system across the continuum of care within the assigned portfolio.

Ensures alignment with the broader portfolios, Ministry of Health and Executive Leadership Team directives to improve the health status of the population served.

Ensures the tactical planning, financial and business operations, and service delivery activities of the portfolio align with and contribute to successful achievement of Island Health’s strategic framework, and are working towards ensuring public confidence in health system performance.

Provides sound financial management (operational and capital) focused on achieving a balanced budget while ensuring a high quality of care at all service levels.

Working within the approved financial mandate, prepares budget and program recommendations, oversees and monitors actual expenses and program/service outcomes, identifies efficiencies and promotes optimal use of resources, and makes recommendations on current and future program and service adjustments.

Ensures the continued development and evaluation of a multi-year people management plan that complements Island Health's strategic human resources direction for staff and volunteers, in support of the Ministry of Health's HR Strategy.

Ensures adherence to and promotion of Island Health's Standard Leader Work to drive leader accountability for all levels of leadership within the assigned portfolio.

Collaborates and works closely with other senior leaders and dyad partners to drive quality improvement to ground strategies and initiatives throughout clinical operations.

Adheres to agreements and policy commitments signed or agreed by the Ministry of Health and the Health Employers' Association of British Columbia with respect to labour and health human resources.

Develops and maintains internal relationships with staff, physicians, patients/clients, and volunteers by communicating effectively to ensure the business operations and service delivery activities of the portfolio are aligned and contribute to the successful achievement of Island Health's Strategic Framework.

Develops and maintains relationships with key external interested parties such as elected officials, government agencies, indigenous leaders, advocacy groups, and foundations, and represents the organization in a variety of settings and to external parties.

Encourage understanding, cooperation, and cultural safety in the development, implementation, and evaluation of the portfolio programs and services.

Identies emerging issues in the local, Provincial, Federal, and International arenas that could influence the delivery of care within Island Health.

Monitors information on best practices and benchmarking within industry, regionally and nationally to support organizational decision-making.

Fosters an environment that embraces and supports innovation and evidence-based research to inform local decision-making and develop enhanced practices and protocols.

IDEAL CANDIDATE QUALIFICATIONS A good understanding of the health care system in Canada is a must.

Sound working knowledge of planning concepts related to budgetary, staffing, quality and strategic initiatives.

Demonstrated strong leadership skills.

Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.

Ability to adapt readily to rapid and changing environments and the ability to adapt with initiative.

Ability to interact professionally with various levels of staff both internally and externally.

In-depth understanding of health services operations needed to positively impact the patient experience, and allow Island Health to fulfill its mission.

Island Health follows the LEADS in a Caring Environment Framework: which provides a comprehensive approach to leadership development for the Canadian health sector EDUCATION/PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS A level of education, training and experience equivalent to a Master's degree in a health-related discipline and at least fifteen (15) years' progressive senior management experience in health care/program management.

CONTACT INFORMATION Bruce Diemert, Partner bruce.diemertlhhknightsbridge.com Cheryl Lai, Senior Consultant cheryl.lailhhknightsbridge.com ABOUT LHH KNIGHTSBRIDGE – LHH helps organizations simplify the complexity associated with transforming their leadership and workforce so they can accelerate results, with less risk.

As global leaders in Talent and Leadership Development, Career Solutions and Executive, Interim and Mid-Level Search, we assist organizations in finding new talent, and helping their employees navigate change, become better leaders, develop better careers, and transition into new jobs.

LHH is a wholly owned subsidiary of Adecco, SA, a publicly held Fortune Global 500 firm and the world’s leading provider of HR solutions, with approximately 32,000 FTE employees and 5,100 branches in over 66 countries and territories around the world.

LHH has more than 4,000 employees around the globe including 2,200 certified Career Coaches.