Reports to: Chief Science and Innovation Officer
Profile date: June 2026
Vacancy Reason: Existing Position
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The Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA) changes lives by bringing people and knowledge together to reduce the harms of alcohol and other drugs on society. We partner with public, private and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to improve the health and safety of people living in Canada. An NGO with a national focus, CCSA envisions a healthier Canadian society where evidence transforms approaches to substance use.
CCSA acknowledges that First Nations, Inuit and Métis people are the holders of Traditional Indigenous Knowledge. We respect the power of the Indigenous ways of knowing and of Traditional Indigenous Knowledge and commit to learning about and incorporating this knowledge into our work with proper guidance.
The Director, Health Services Quality and Modernization is a senior leadership role reporting to the Chief Science and Innovation Officer. The Director is responsible for advancing innovative, client-centred and evidence-informed health services and systems within the substance use health sector.
This role provides strategic direction for quality improvement, service transformation, modernization initiatives, performance excellence and integrated care models that improve outcomes for individuals, families and communities. It also strengthens provider, organizational and system capacity by equipping teams, agencies, leaders and decision makers with the tools, guidance, training and resources needed to implement and sustain high-quality, evidence-informed practices and services.
The Director will lead organizational change efforts that strengthen accessibility, effectiveness, equity and sustainability of health systems and services across the spectrum of substance use health care supports and services, including harm reduction, treatment pathways and recovery supports. The incumbent will foster strong partnerships across the sector to successfully implement change, and work collaboratively across internal teams, government interest holders, healthcare and system partners, and community agencies.
Preference will be given candidates that are bilingual in both official languages, however all candidates (bilingual and non-bilingual) will be considered and are invited to apply.
- Develop and execute a multi-year modernization strategy for substance use health services aligned with organizational priorities and emerging sector needs.
- Identify opportunities to improve programs, systems and service pathways, and support sector partners to co-design and implement redesign efforts by providing evidence, tools and practical implementation and evaluation supports to improve client experience, efficiency and outcomes.
- Lead research initiatives within the field to strengthen the evidence base and evaluate the effectiveness of implementation strategies and programs.
- Lead innovation initiatives including digital transformation, integrated care models, virtual support and data-enabled decision making.
- Monitor emerging trends, legislation, policy changes, and best practices in substance use health, mental health and healthcare modernization.
- Provide strategic oversight of the team’s research, evaluation and implementation projects, leveraging strong clinical knowledge and research expertise to ensure initiatives are evidence-informed, effectively executed and aligned with organizational priorities.
- Demonstrate ability to secure and grow external funding through strategic partnerships, grant acquisition and investment opportunities that advance organizational priorities and long-term sustainability.
- Establish and oversee a quality management framework focused on continuous improvement, risk reduction, safety and measurable outcomes.
- Support provider and organizational quality improvement readiness, program evaluation and quality assurance activities.
- Develop key performance indicators to monitor effectiveness and accountability.
- Promote a culture of learning, innovation and evidence-based practice.
- Provide strategic oversight for programs and initiatives supporting evidence-based support and services across the continuum of care, including harm reduction, treatment and recovery.
- Ensure programs and initiatives are trauma-informed, culturally responsive, equitable and person-centered.
- Support system transformation strategies that improve connections between health, social and community services.
- Advance practices that reduce stigma and barriers to care.
- Build strong partnerships with government, hospitals, community agencies, primary care, public health and Indigenous organizations.
- Represent the organization in sector tables, working groups and strategic partnerships.
- Prepare executive briefings, reports, recommendations and presentations for senior leadership and the Board as required.
- Support advocacy efforts related to health system improvements and service accessibility.
- Lead, mentor and develop a high-performing team and project-specific teams.
- Foster accountability, engagement, collaboration and innovation within teams.
- Support change management initiatives and strengthen leadership capacity across the organization.
This position profile is designed to provide an overview of the main responsibilities for the role. Other responsibilities not identified in this position profile may be assigned based on the person’s experience and operational requirements.
- Consideration will be given to those with PhD or masters degree in health administration, public health, nursing, psychology, social work, business administration or a related field.
- Eight to ten years of progressive leadership experience in healthcare, community health, mental health or substance use health services.
- Demonstrated success leading, implementing and evaluating large-scale transformation, modernization or quality improvement initiatives.
- Demonstrated ability to provide strategic research leadership that drives innovation, informs decision-making and delivers measurable organizational and system-wide impact.
- Experience working within publicly funded, not-for-profit or government-regulated environments.
- Strong knowledge of substance use systems, harm reduction approaches, recovery-oriented care and integrated service models
- Experience leading through complexity, ambiguity and organizational change
- Strategic thinker with strong business acumen and systems perspective
- Excellent relationship-building, influencing and stakeholder management skills
- Strong analytical skills with experience using metrics and data to drive decisions
- Exceptional communication, presentation and report-writing skills
- High emotional intelligence and values-based leadership style
- Registered health professional (i.e., registered social worker, psychologist, nurse, pharmacist).
- Occasional high-intensity concentration.
- Occasional exposure to psychologically challenging conditions, such as deadline pressure, interpersonal conflict or extended work hours for which no additional compensation is provided.
- Mental agility: Regular mental attention required to alternate, flex or adapt one’s attention to handle simultaneous multiple urgent demands and/ or perform detail-oriented work with regular interruptions.
- Frequent communication with internal and external contacts.
- Work performed in an office setup or from home (flex-hybrid model) environment, with occasional on-site presence and extended hours during events.
- Physical demands are minimal; no sustained physical exertion is required.
CCSA is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion in all aspects of our work. As an organization, we are committed to ensuring that First Nations, Inuit and Métis people and all equity-deserving groups are fully represented, including women, people of colour, people with disabilities and people who are 2SLGBTQ+.
CCSA is dedicated to learning from and supporting people with lived or living experience of substance use and health. We encourage people with lived or living experience of substance use to apply to join the CCSA team.
CCSA promotes the rights of all people with disabilities as outlined in the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, and its related Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation. CCSA will make appropriate accommodations on request. Please inform CCSA in advance of a request for accommodation during the recruitment process by emailing [email protected].
If you are interested in this position, please submit a cover letter and resumé. Located in Ottawa, CCSA works within a flex-hybrid model. The successful candidate must be willing to be onsite to attend in-person activities as required. We thank all applicants. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.
No agencies please.
At CCSA, we are committed to maintaining a fair and equitable hiring process. We do not use AI to screen, assess or select applicants for any positions. While mandatory eligibility questions may be used to confirm minimum requirements, all applications are reviewed and all hiring decisions are made by our hiring team, ensuring that each candidate is thoughtfully and individually evaluated based on their overall qualifications and experience.
