COO Mental Health & Addictions

Position Overview

Provide strategic leadership, clinical oversight, and overall operational management to a service focused health services team of approximately 1,500 staff with an annual operating budget of over $125 million, delivering routine to complex inpatient and outpatient adult and pediatric mental health and addictions services to patients and clients across Manitoba, Nunavut, and north western Ontario.

Mental Health & Addictions provides services to children, youth, and adults with mental illness and substance use needs across a range of settings including Selkirk Mental Health Centre, child and youth inpatient services, Crisis Response Services, outpatient clinics such as Rapid Access to Addiction Medicine (RAAM) Clinics, specialty teams including Assertive Community Treatment, adult and youth forensic services, school based mental health programs, and specialized child and youth teams. Many services are also provided virtually to enable broad reach and timely access.

This position works in a lead and coordinate role to support mental health and addictions programs and priorities across Health Sciences Centre (HSC) and Service Delivery Organizations (SDOs), while partnering closely with provincial government leadership, including Manitoba Health, Seniors and Long Term Care and Manitoba Housing, Addictions and Homelessness, the Chief Provincial Psychiatrist, and provincial clinical specialty leaders, to help design, align, and advance coordinated provincial service delivery models.

As a member of the senior executive team of Shared Health, the Chief Operating Officer contributes to the establishment, implementation, and evaluation of provincial system strategy, operational priorities, and transformation initiatives aligned with Shared Health’s mandate and the priorities assigned by the provincial government.

This executive leader maintains effective executive level relationships across the provincial health system; provides visible leadership in media and public facing issues; models organizational values and behavioural standards; and ensures the sustainable stewardship of operating and capital resources supporting mental health and addictions services and facilities.

This role works closely with Manitoba Health, Seniors and Long Term Care and Manitoba Housing, Addictions and Homelessness to ensure shared priorities, coordinated government submissions, and timely engagement on system level and macro-operational issues, including the joint planning and coordination of system change initiatives.

This role requires finesse to support the growth, evolution, and transformation of mental health and addictions services in Manitoba by enabling collaboration and leadership across Service Delivery Organizations, hospital based services, provincial clinical leadership, and funded partner organizations, helping to design and advance a truly provincial, integrated, and coordinated system of care.

Experience

• 10 -15 years of progressive senior leadership experience delivering a broad spectrum of health and clinical services in a large, publicly funded health services delivery organization including: 10 years of health experience in senior leadership roles in complex operating environments with significant organizational change. 10 years of clinical operations management experience leading a health service providing multidisciplinary services. 10 years of experience participating in operational planning, implementing operational directives, and achieving formal quality, patient safety, service integration and partner collaboration goals and objectives. Experience in media relations. Experience in Finance and Human Resource management of multi-million-dollar organizations.

Education (Degree/Diploma/Certificate)

• Master’s degree in an applicable field (e.g., Nursing, Allied Health, Business or Health Care Administration) combined with a Bachelor Degree in a relevant Health Profession.
• Specialized training in project management, health management, health policy, process analysis/improvement, organizational change management, and cultural awareness are considered assets.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

Certification/Licensure/Registration

• Active member in good standing of an associated regulatory body as appropriate.

Qualifications and Skills

• To strengthen province‑wide coordination and integration, particularly around patient flow, access to care, and alignment between hospital‑based and community‑based services. This system‑level focus is not a replacement for existing clinical or regional leadership structures, but a complement to them.
• Demonstrated executive leadership capabilities. The provincial health system in Manitoba has adopted the framework.

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to work safely in a typical computerized office environment with frequent meetings at multiple sites throughout the organization, and to lift and carry items of up to approximately 10 kg.
• Interruptions to respond to questions from executives and government representatives are common; dedicated and focused time for planning and concentration can be scheduled.
• Must have a valid Manitoba driver’s license and use of a personal motor vehicle for regular travel within the province.

We have a unique ability to work together to make health care better. If you want to make a difference and contribute to supporting the health of your family, friends and neighbours, please apply today.