Director, Central Region Cancer Programs

Job Category: LeadershipHospital Location: Newmarket ONJob Type: Permanent, Full timeNumber of Positions: 1Minimum - Maximum Hourly Rate: $84.67 - $100.64
Why Join Our Team?
A people-first workplace environment that prioritizes belonging, wellness, and psychological safety.
Hybrid, virtual, and in-person working environment (where applicable).
Progressive health and dental benefit plans.
HOOPP pension plan with employer and employee premium sharing.
Enhanced wellness initiatives, including virtual fitness classes and on-site gym memberships.
If you are ready to embrace this exciting challenge and contribute to the success of Southlake Health, we encourage you to apply and be part of our dedicated team, making a difference in the lives of our employees and the community we serve!
We are excited to announce an opening for a Director, Central Region Cancer Programs!
Reporting to the Regional Vice President, Cancer Services (Central), the Director, Central Region Cancer Programs provides strategic, operational, and regional leadership for the Central Regional Cancer Program and the Southlake Regional Cancer Centre.
The Central Regional Cancer Program is the designated regional cancer program serving patients across York Region, North York, and South Simcoe County through a network of partners including Southlake Health (Southlake Regional Cancer Centre), Mackenzie Health, Oak Valley Health (Markham Stouffville Hospital), and Stevenson Memorial Hospital. Together, these organizations deliver integrated cancer services across the continuum of care, including prevention, screening, diagnostics, systemic treatment, radiation therapy, surgical oncology, supportive care, survivorship, and palliative care.
As the regional hub for cancer services, the program works closely with Ontario Health and Ontario Health Cancer Care Ontario (OH-CCO) to advance provincial cancer priorities, quality standards, performance improvement initiatives, and system planning activities. Through strong partnerships with organizations including Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and SickKids Hospital, Southlake is committed to delivering innovative, evidence-informed, and patient-centred cancer care closer to home.
About the role:
As a member of Southlake's senior leadership team, the Director, Central Region Cancer Programs will champion regional planning, performance improvement, system integration, innovation, and operational excellence while working collaboratively with healthcare partners, physicians, community organizations, and provincial stakeholders to improve outcomes and experiences for patients and families.
Core Competencies & Key Responsibilities:
Strategic & Systems Leadership
Provides strategic direction and systems leadership to advance integrated, high-performing cancer services across the Central Region.
Key Responsibilities:
Lead the development and implementation of regional cancer strategies aligned with Southlake priorities, Ontario Health priorities, and the Ontario Cancer Plan.
Partner with the Regional Vice President to support regional cancer service planning, capacity planning, and system transformation initiatives across the region and province.
Establish a clear vision and strategic direction that advances quality, access, innovation, equity, and excellence across the cancer continuum.
Partnership, Influence & Regional Engagement
Builds strategic partnerships and influences stakeholders to advance regional cancer system priorities and improve outcomes.
Key Responsibilities:
Establish and maintain strong partnerships with Ontario Health, OH-CCO, regional hospitals, physicians, community providers, academic partners, and cross-sector agencies.
Collaborate with regional and provincial stakeholders to address system challenges, improve performance, and advance integrated, outcome-focused cancer care.
Represent the Central Regional Cancer Program through participation and leadership on provincial committees, networks, and strategic initiatives.
Operational, Financial & Performance Excellence
Provides stewardship of resources while driving regional performance, accountability, and sustainability.
Key Responsibilities:
Lead regional performance oversight, including volumes, access, quality, safety, patient experience, and clinical outcomes, and implement strategies to improve performance.
Partner with the Regional Vice President to oversee cancer-related funding, capacity planning, resource allocation, and optimization of regional services.
Utilize analytics, benchmarking, and operational data to inform decision-making, business planning, and continuous improvement.
Quality, Innovation & Continuous Improvement
Leads quality improvement, innovation, and performance initiatives that advance excellence in cancer care.
Key Responsibilities:
Implement the provincial cancer quality improvement agenda and champion provincial cancer standards across all areas of cancer service delivery.
Lead change management, innovation, and evidence-informed improvement initiatives that enhance patient outcomes, access, experience, and value.
Monitor quality and risk indicators and implement corrective actions that foster a culture of continuous improvement and accountability.
People Leadership & Talent Development
Creates a high-performing and inclusive culture that promotes engagement, accountability, and professional growth.
Key Responsibilities:
Build, lead, and support a high-performing interprofessional team that advances local, regional, and provincial cancer priorities.
Foster a culture of collaboration, inclusion, psychological safety, wellness, accountability, and continuous learning.
Develop leadership capacity through coaching, mentorship, succession planning, and talent development initiatives.
Patient-Centred & Clinical Excellence
Ensures exceptional patient- and family-centred care through strong clinical governance and partnerships across the cancer continuum.
Key Responsibilities:
Ensure patient- and family-centred care principles are embedded throughout program planning, decision-making, and service delivery.
Provide oversight of clinical quality, professional practice standards, accreditation readiness, and regulatory compliance.
Advance integrated models of care across the continuum, including prevention, screening, diagnostics, systemic treatment, radiation therapy, surgical oncology, supportive care, survivorship, and palliative care.
Qualifications Required:
Baccalaureate degree in a health-related discipline.
Master's degree in Health Administration, Health Sciences, Business Administration, Leadership, or a related field.
Certified Health Executive (CHE) designation preferred.
Minimum 5-7 years of progressive senior leadership experience in oncology programs, cancer centres, regional cancer programs, or cancer services, with demonstrated accountability for strategy, operations, quality, people leadership, and financial performance.
Demonstrated experience working with Ontario Health and Ontario Health Cancer Care Ontario (OH-CCO) and strong knowledge of the Ontario cancer system, provincial priorities, performance frameworks, funding models, and regional cancer program structures.
Demonstrated expertise in strategic and operational planning, business case development, quality improvement methodologies, financial stewardship, risk management, and performance improvement.
Proven success building and sustaining effective partnerships across healthcare organizations, community agencies, academic institutions, and provincial stakeholders.
Exceptional communication, stakeholder engagement, facilitation, negotiation, and relationship management skills, with the ability to influence across organizations and disciplines.
Strong analytical, change management, and project management skills, with the ability to lead complex initiatives in a dynamic healthcare environment.
Preferred:
Leadership experience within a Regional Cancer Program and/or Regional Cancer Centre.
Experience participating in provincial cancer committees, networks, or Ontario Health initiatives.
Demonstrated success leading regional oncology planning, quality improvement, system integration, and performance improvement initiatives.
Experience leading interdisciplinary teams and building high-performing cultures within complex healthcare environments.
Leadership Attributes
The successful candidate will be:
A strategic and systems thinker.
An inspirational and collaborative leader.
An exceptional communicator and relationship builder.
A courageous change leader.
A champion of quality, safety, innovation, and continuous improvement.
A skilled influencer who can navigate complexity, build consensus, and drive results.
Committed to delivering exceptional patient- and family-centred care.
Southlake Health is fully committed to a culture of belonging and an inclusive environment that encourages every team member to lead within the

Skills
Project Management, Negotiation, Risk Management, Regulatory Compliance