Director, Mental Health & Addiction Services

Position Title: Director, Mental Health & Addiction Services

Reports to: Vice President, Clinical Programs, Quality, CNE

Opportunity

Brightshores Health System is a dynamic, multi‑site healthcare organization located in Grey and Bruce counties that serves a diverse rural population of approximately 175,000 residents, as well as seasonal visitors and tourists. With six hospitals covering one of Ontario’s largest geographic regions, Brightshores delivers a full continuum of care from emergency services at every site to advanced specialty programs that include cancer, stroke, kidney disease, and mental health and addictions. The organization, employing more than 2,100 staff, 250 physicians, and 1,000 volunteers, is deeply committed to building healthier communities through compassionate, high‑quality care and strong partnerships.

Brightshores is actively advancing a more connected and integrated system of care, improving access, enhancing patient and family experiences, and delivering better outcomes across a large and complex rural landscape. With innovative initiatives such as the provincially‑recognized Wellness & Recovery Centre and a growing focus on research and system integration, Brightshores offers leaders the opportunity to shape the future of rural healthcare while making a meaningful impact close to home.

The Director, Mental Health & Addiction Services will provide strategic and operational leadership for a comprehensive, multi‑site program across Brightshores, including 45 inpatient hospital beds, a 45‑bed Wellness and Recovery Centre, and a full continuum of outpatient services. Accountable for program development, clinical quality, and service delivery, the Director will ensure integrated, accessible, and responsive care for a growing and aging rural population within a complex environment of multiple sites and funding models.

Working in close partnership with administrative and physician leadership, interdisciplinary teams, and community partners, the Director will advance high‑quality, evidence‑informed, person‑centred care. The role plays a critical part in system transformation—strengthening partnerships, improving access and patient flow, and aligning services with provincial, regional, and local priorities.

As a key leader in advancing Brightshores’ strategic plan, the Director fosters a culture of accountability, ownership, and continuous improvement. An exceptional relationship builder, the ideal candidate brings strategic insight, resilience, and the ability to lead through change, mentoring high‑performing teams and ensuring an outstanding patient and family experience.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for the evolution of Mental Health & Addictions services, ensuring timely, appropriate care delivered in the most suitable setting across a fully integrated continuum.
• Align programs with Brightshores’ strategic priorities, advancing access, integration, sustainability, and innovation, including models that reduce hospital utilisation and strengthen community‑based care.
• Lead program planning and transformation in response to community needs and provincial/regional priorities within a dynamic rural health ecosystem.
• Ensure delivery of safe, high‑quality, evidence‑informed, recovery‑oriented, and person‑centred care responsive to diverse populations.
• Drive clinical excellence through accountability for outcomes, patient safety, and continuous quality improvement.
• Champion a culture of belonging, equity, inclusion, and culturally safe care that enhances patient and family experience.
• Oversee a complex, multi‑site portfolio, ensuring effective day‑to‑day operations and performance across diverse funding models.
• Lead budget planning, resource allocation, and operational execution to achieve access, flow, and efficiency targets.
• Leverage data, analytics, and performance metrics to inform decision‑making and deliver measurable impact.
• Build, mentor, and develop high‑performing teams, fostering leadership capacity, engagement, and accountability.
• Promote an inclusive, respectful, and psychologically safe workplace aligned with organisational values.
• Strengthen performance through clear expectations, coaching, and recognition.
• Cultivate strong partnerships with leadership, physicians, community agencies, Ontario Health, and regional stakeholders to enable seamless care pathways.
• Represent Brightshores in regional planning and contribute to system design, integration, and innovation in mental health services.
• Advance Brightshores’ role as a leader in rural mental health and addiction care.

Ideal Candidate

• Demonstrated success in progressively senior clinical leadership roles in Mental Health and Addictions (minimum 5 years), including leading complex, multi‑site or rural programs and interdisciplinary teams delivering high‑quality, patient‑centred care.
• Proven ability to translate strategic priorities into measurable outcomes, leading system transformation, quality improvement, and operational excellence across diverse portfolios, including fiscal and resource management.
• Strong expertise in evidence‑based mental health and addictions practices, with a track record of advancing clinical standards, patient safety, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Experience working within and contributing to regional health system planning and integration, including collaboration with Ontario Health and community partners.
• Highly developed analytical and data literacy skills, using performance metrics to inform decision‑making, drive accountability, and improve access, flow, and outcomes.
• Recognized for fostering a culture of belonging, accountability, ownership, inclusion, and continuous improvement, with a demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity, and culturally safe, person‑centred care.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and relationship‑building skills, with the ability to influence, negotiate, resolve conflict, and lead teams and stakeholders effectively through change.
• Demonstrated commitment to professional growth and the ability to operate effectively in a dynamic healthcare environment.
• Participate in administrator on‑call rotation.
• Master’s degree in a health, business, or related discipline.
• Current registration in good standing with a regulatory college under the Regulated Health Professions Act.

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