Director, E-Mental Health

Position Title: Director, E Mental Health

Reports To: Vice President, Programs and Priorities

Status: Full time, permanent

Location: Ottawa (hybrid with approximately 3 days per week in the office at this time)

Land Acknowledgement

The Head Office of the Mental Health Commission of Canada is located on the unceded, traditional Territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabe Nation, in what is now called Ottawa, Ontario. We acknowledge that for thousands of years, the Algonquin People protected these lands, the Ottawa River Watershed, and its tributaries. As a national organization, we also acknowledge that we work on the traditional lands of many different nations. Today, a path to truth and reconciliation begins with recognizing both the stewardship and the sacrifices of the original peoples. We are committed to recognizing the errors of the past, acknowledging the challenges of the present, and contributing to a new and equitable relationship with the First Peoples.

Organizational Background

The Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC) is a non-profit organization created to focus national attention on mental health issues and to work to improve the health and social outcomes of people living with mental illness. The Commission is seen as a leader nationally and internationally in several areas. Building upon the work done to date, the core mandate, and the unique position of the Commission, and guided by Changing Directions Changing Lives: The Mental Health Strategy for Canada, the Commission will focus in the areas of, substance use, suicide prevention, population-based initiatives, and engagement. This prioritization will enable the Commission to be successful in meeting its mandate, staying focused, and having a measurable impact for those living with mental illness and their families and caregivers.

Position Overview

Reporting to the Vice President, Programs and Priorities, the Director, E-Mental Health, sits on the Programs and Priorities area senior management team. She/he supports the implementation of e-Mental Health, Stepped Care 2.0, and Policy and Research Initiatives. The Director provides strategic and tactical advice to help position the Commission as a leader nationally and internationally.

The Director liaises with and consults other provincial, national and international leaders and stakeholders in e-Mental Health, Stepped Care 2.0 and users of services, providers of services, researchers, and policy makers, not for profit, technology leaders and other key partners to ensure that the Commission provides the greatest value. She/he provides advice to the Executive Leadership Team of the organization through his/her Vice President.

Building on the work the Commission has already undertaken in these areas, the Director seeks to galvanize and maximize, as well as grow and expand existing partnerships and opportunities.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Lead the implementation of the Commission’s strategic goals in the area of e-Mental Health, Stepped Care 2.0, and Policy and Research Initiatives.
• Provide strategic advice and technical leadership to team (direct reports and external consultants) in managing the development, implementation, enhancement, maintenance and integration of the portfolio.
• Develop knowledge products, implementation tools, and other project resources.
• Allocate budget, staff, tools and specialized support necessary for cost effective implementation.
• Review and approve activities/projects, focusing on a solutions approach, deliverables, cost estimates and delivery timeline.
• Further develop leadership capabilities and enhance project management skills and business knowledge of team members.
• Lead the successful accomplishment of the goals as set by ELT, and ensure that all aspects of the portfolio meet the expectations of ELT, the Board of Directors and Health Canada.
• Accountable for overseeing the delivery of projects on time and on budget.
• Identify and evaluate risks to the project and implement measures to mitigate and control risks.
• Identify, assess and inform the VP, Programs and Priorities of internal and external issues that affect the project.
• Develop and implement performance measurement processes.
• Develop and implement systems to ensure that people with lived and living experience are involved in all aspects of the work.
• Establish strong working relationships with a broad range of stakeholders to help achieve the goals of the initiatives.
• Seek out and maximize opportunities for collaboration, mutual learning and support across the organization’s various projects and initiatives.
• Provide support to the VP by preparing briefing materials, source documents for Board of Director reports, correspondence and other materials as required.
• Develop partnerships with those who deliver mental health services in Canada.
• Participate as a member of the Programs and Priorities management team.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills and Attributes

• Ability to work effectively with a diverse range of researchers and service providers from a wide range of disciplines and settings.
• Knowledge of e-Mental Health and how it is being implemented in Canada.
• Implementation Science expertise.
• Knowledge of provincial/territorial mental health landscape and priorities.
• Superior issues management skills including political acuity and responsiveness to anticipate the larger social, economic and political implications of stakeholder issues.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, particularly related to summarizing multiple and complex sources of information for differing audiences.
• Staff development skills, including ability to lead and motivate others.
• Ability to deal with challenging problems using well-developed problem-solving skills.
• Project management skills, including project planning and the development of project timelines.
• Ability to set priorities, delegate responsibility and meet timelines leading to the attainment of goals.
• A high degree of personal motivation, a desire to make an immediate contribution, and a sense of urgency and excitement.
• Ability to work independently and in a variety of settings while travelling.
• Commitment to the vision of a reformed, person-centered mental health system.
• Excellent planning and time management skills, with ability to multi-task, produce and coordinate projects to tight deadlines.
• Ability to access and understand multiple sources of data, research and grey literature.
• Developed interpersonal communication skills including experience developing and maintaining strategic partnerships and networks of significant numbers of internal and external stakeholders.
• A team player accustomed to gracefully working within a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent analytical and interpretive abilities.
• Excellent knowledge and demonstrated experience of health sector issues/challenges, preferably mental health.
• Initiative, sound judgment, political sensitivity and awareness, flexibility and adaptability, discretion, tact and diplomacy.
• Ethically uncompromising, exhibiting the highest level of personal and professional integrity.

Experience and Education

• Minimum master’s degree in health or human services or related field.
• Established record of accomplishment in a mental health, or health related discipline.
• Minimum of 7 years progressive senior management experience in supervision, strategic planning, change management and planning and project management.
• Demonstrated leadership competencies to deliver, inspire, connect and transform at a senior management level.
• Demonstrated leadership, creativity, organizational, and negotiating skills.
• Demonstrated analytic ability and understanding of and experience with research processes.
• Demonstrated knowledge, skills and proficiency in community development activities.
• Experience in the design, development and implementation of strategic initiatives and activities, particularly in the area of health policy and management.
• Demonstrated success working within interdisciplinary teams and diverse groups of stakeholders.
• Proven expertise in stakeholder management, including the ability to develop engagement strategies and influence diverse partners with competing interests.
• A proven champion of change and innovation with positive results, as well as excellent oral, written and presentation skills.
• Experience with facilitating and fostering knowledge transfer.
• Demonstrated experience with group facilitation and teamwork/development, and history of effective working relationships at multiple levels.
• Ability to speak both of Canada’s official languages is an asset.
• Certified Health Executive designation is an asset.

Competencies

• Values and Ethics
• Respectful of Diversity
• Continuous Learning
• Results Management
• Teamwork 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.

Psychological Demands

• Continuously deadline driven requirements.
• High level of multitasking.
• Moderate to high level exposure to stress resulting from complex interactions, stakeholder relations, and output requirements.
• Moderate to high level exposure to extended travel requirements (up to 40% and greater at times) and extension of workday beyond 7.5 hours.
• High level requirement to maintain concentration for extended periods of time to maximize stakeholder engagement.
• Capacity to effectively organize and prioritize own work.
• High degree of emotional intelligence required to develop and maintain good relationships.
• Responsive to possible rapid changes in priorities.
• Adaptable to change (organizational and environmental).
• Performance goals and objectives are established yearly and regularly reviewed.

As a pan-Canadian organization committed to Reconciliation we encourage applications from individuals who identify as Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit, and Métis).

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.

The Mental Health Commission of Canada welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.

Accessible formats and communication supports for applicants are available upon request by contacting Human Resources at hr@mentalhealthcommission.ca.