Program Operational Director - Cardiac & Critical Care

Program Operational Director

Cardiac & Critical Care

Kingston Health Sciences Centre (KHSC)
Locations: Kingston General Hospital & Hotel Dieu Hospital, Kingston, Ontario
Status: Full‑Time | Days
Salary: $159,058.58 to $190,869.51 per annum + benefits/pension 

About Kingston Health Sciences Centre

Kingston Health Sciences Centre (KHSC) is a leading academic health sciences organization in Eastern Ontario, formed from the integration of Kingston General Hospital (KGH) and Hotel Dieu Hospital (HDH). KHSC is committed to delivering outstanding patient‑ and family‑centred care, advancing learning and research, and shaping the future of healthcare through innovation and collaboration.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Executive Director, Patient Care, the Program Operational Director (POD) is a senior clinical program leader responsible for operational leadership across the Cardiac & Critical Care portfolio at both Kingston General Hospital and Hotel Dieu Hospital.

Working in close partnership with the Program Medical Director (PMD) within a matrix reporting structure, the POD provides strategic and operational leadership to advance high‑quality, integrated, patient‑centred care. This role plays a key part in achieving KHSC’s strategic priorities while fostering collaboration, continuous improvement, and regional integration across complex clinical environments.

The successful candidate will demonstrate a strong commitment to patient and family‑centred care, equity and inclusion, and continuous quality improvement in all aspects of service delivery.

Key Responsibilities

Corporate Leadership

• Lead and inspire interdisciplinary teams in the delivery of safe, high‑quality care.
• Assume primary responsibility for operational leadership of the clinical program in partnership with the Program Medical Director.
• Advance integrated service improvement initiatives aligned with patient needs and organizational strategy.

Continuous Program Evaluation & Improvement

• Plan, develop, evaluate, and continuously improve clinical operations and services, including budget and financial oversight.
• Establish performance indicators aligned with benchmarks, standards, and corporate scorecards.
• Foster a culture of inquiry, accountability, and continuous improvement across frontline teams and leadership.

Integration

• Advance integration of clinical services across KGH and HDH through a complex cross‑organizational reporting matrix.
• Navigate differing systems, supports, processes, and organizational cultures while driving efficiency and quality.
• Apply strategic problem‑solving, collaboration, and diplomacy to improve patient‑centred outcomes within complex systems.

Strategic Program Development

• Lead innovative, patient‑focused, and fiscally responsible program development aligned with the unique Mission, Vision, and Values of both KGH and HDH.
• Identify and pursue new funding opportunities in collaboration with program leadership.
• Develop comprehensive business cases and proposals for internal approval and external regional or provincial funding.

Regionalization

• Represent KHSC in regional planning initiatives across the Ontario Health Team and beyond.
• Contribute to the development of regional care models spanning the continuum of care.
• Collaborate with regional partners to enhance patient care quality and system efficiencies.

Academic Advancement

• Support KHSC’s academic mandate by promoting innovation, education, research, and dissemination of leading practices.
• Facilitate teaching, publishing, and communication of program advancements internally and externally.

Basic Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a healthcare discipline, business, or related field (completed or to be completed within 2–3 years)
• Current member of a Regulated Health Care Profession
• Significant, progressive leadership experience in a healthcare setting
• Demonstrated strategic, analytical, and conceptual thinking at organizational, program, and operational levels
• Broad knowledge of hospital structures, governance, operational policies, and decision‑making processes
• Strong understanding of the healthcare system, including trends, legislation, and policy
• Proven ability to collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholder groups
• Experience with leadership, quality improvement, and change management principles
• Exceptional interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills, with demonstrated tact and diplomacy
• Demonstrated ability to lead and influence teams through complex change while maintaining engagement and cohesion
• Strong commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and creation of welcoming environments
• Demonstrated commitment to patient‑centred care and KHSC’s Mission, Vision, Values, and strategic directions
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel)
• Successful completion of a criminal background check with vulnerable sector screening

Physical Requirements

The successful candidate must be able to meet the physical demands of the position.

Why Join KHSC?

• Lead care delivery across two renowned academic hospital sites
• Influence regional and provincial healthcare transformation
• Collaborate with exceptional clinical, academic, and operational leaders
• Make a meaningful impact on patient outcomes, system integration, and innovation