Organization Overview
The Mental Health Commission of Canada was established in 2007 by the Government of Canada to act as a catalyst for the reform of mental health policies and improvements in service delivery and to act as a facilitator, enabler and supporter of a national approach to mental health issues. The Commission was also tasked to diminish the stigma and discrimination faced by Canadians living with mental illness and to disseminate evidence-based information on all aspects of mental health and mental illness to governments, stakeholders and the public.
For more information please go to www.mentalhealthcommission.ca
Office Location: Ottawa – Downtown
City: Ottawa
Province: Ontario [ON]
Title: Vice President – Knowledge and Innovation
Position Overview
The Vice President is a member of the Executive Leadership Team, will report to the President and Chief Executive Officer. The Vice President – Knowledge and Innovation provides strategic leadership as a collaborative member of the Executive Leadership Team. This position is responsible for the overall strategic and operational performance of the Government Relations, Stakeholder Relations, Communications, and Knowledge Exchange portfolios.
Duties & Responsibilities
1) Provides overall leadership, within established portfolio, to ensure that strategic directions are entrenched within each department complete with measurable outcomes.
2) Ensures integration of risk management, financial and operation compliance within all department strategic and operational plans.
3) In conjunction with portfolio Directors, actively establishes and promotes collaborative relationships both internally and externally.
4) Manages all performance measures, tracks progress and implements corrective measures as may be necessary.
5) In conjunction with the Executive Leadership Team (ELT) contributes to the Commission’s business planning, risk management, and financial management processes.
6) Provides leadership, support and guidance to portfolio Directors and to the broader Director Team in conjunction with ELT.
7) Ensures that quarterly progress is documented for ELT and Board of Directors reporting purposes.
8) Participates at Board of Directors meetings; fosters productive relationships; develops and presents portfolio operational findings to the Board as required.
9) Ensures strategic partnerships are developed and maintained; these include contracted vendors, consultants and Commission advisory members.
10) Reviews draft policies, guidelines and other operational matters with Vice Presidents to ensure clarity, accuracy and completeness; works to achieve common understanding and consensus prior to engaging the President and Chief Executive Officer for necessary approvals.
11) In association with the ELT, actively supports Commission psychological and physical health, safety and wellness initiatives.
12) Engages staff at all levels through timely communication utilizing a variety of methods.
13) Represents and speaks for the Commission at conferences, functions and in other arenas as required.
14) Assumes additional responsibilities as required.
Skills & Experience
- Able to work collaboratively with senior leaders across the organization in order to ensure operational requirements and standards are met. Builds and maintains appropriate linkages and partnerships to facilitate achievement of Commission vision and mission.
- High degree of analytic ability and superior capacity to address complex issues.
- Ability to translate and communicate strategic issues to a variety of audiences both internal and external to the organization.
- Strong relationship building and engagement skills.
- Demonstrated experience meeting deadlines while working in both team and independent settings.
- Demonstrated skill in building collaborative and integrative working relationships and in working with people with diverse backgrounds and perspectives.
- Results oriented, creative, and possessing a high degree of initiative.
- Superior interpersonal, oral and written communication skills, including comfort with public speaking.
- Comfortable with decision making and can manage ambiguity effectively; is able to quickly discern which decisions can be made under current scope of authority and those requiring President and CEO review and approval.
- Committed to employee psychological and physical health, safety and wellness; supports initiatives that are value added in this area.
- Demonstrate adaptability and flexibility in approach to work in a demanding environment.
- Working level capacity with French language skills and abilities.
Qualifications
EXPERIENCE/EDUCATION
- Post secondary/University degree in Government Relations, Business, Health Services or equivalent.
- A minimum of 8 years management experience, 2 of which in a senior management capacity.
- Experience in the provision of leadership, and support within an executive team environment and overall guidance to senior management teams in support of operational and organizational excellence.
- Background in non profit, provincial or federal government an advantage.
- Knowledge of mental health issues in Canada an advantage.
COMPETENCIES
- Values and Ethics
- Respectful of Diversity
- Continuous Learning
- Results Management
- Team work and Cooperation
- Risk Management
- Strategic Thinking
- Finance and Budget
- Team Leadership
- Psychological and Physical Health, Safety and Wellness
- Oral/Written Communication
PHYSICAL/COGNITIVE DEMANDS
- Extended periods of time spent in meeting type settings (5 plus hours)
- Extended visual requirements (5 plus hours) due to computer related work
- High requirement for multi-tasking and effectively dividing attention to numerous duties and responsibilities
- High degree of concentration required (meetings, presentation, etc.)
- High level of stamina due to travel, work time requirements
- High analytical and interpretive requirements
- High exposure to extended\varying work hours
PSYCHOLOGICAL DEMANDS
- Continuously deadline driven requirements
- High level of multitasking
- High level exposure to stress resulting from complex interactions, government relations, stakeholder relations, and output requirements.
- High level exposure to extended travel requirements (up to 40% and greater at times) and extension of work day beyond 7.5 hours
- High level requirement to maintain concentration for extended periods of time in order to maximize engagement with various audiences, perform strategic presentations along with the performance of analysis and interpretation of data and information for planning and reporting purposes.
- Capacity to effectively organize and prioritize own work.
- High degree of emotional intelligence required in order to develop and maintain effective relationships, communicate clearly, influence and inspire others, work well in a variety of team settings, and manage conflict.
- High capacity to utilize effective negotiation skills
- Responsive to possible rapid changes in priorities;
- Adaptable to change (organizational and environmental)
- Performance goals and objectives are established yearly and regularly reviewed.
Position Status: Permanent Full Time
Reports To: President and Chief Executive Officer
Compensation: An attractive compensation package including a strong benefits package is provided and will be discussed in a personal interview.
Diversity Statement
The Mental Health Commission of Canada is committed to diversity in the workplace and workplace well-being. As such, applications from individuals from diverse backgrounds such as; First Nations, Inuit, and Métis, members of a visible minority group and those with lived experience of mental health problems or illnesses are welcomed and encouraged.
For further information please contact
Mike Kerr, CMA, FCMA or Heather Fookes, MLIS
Davies Park Calgary
1810, 300 – 5th Avenue SW
Calgary, AB T2P 3C4
Phone: (403) 263-0600
Fax: (403) 269-1080
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.daviespark.com