Manager - Program Design & Implementation - Shkaabe Makwa

Shkaabe Makwa at CAMH is the first Indigenous-led hospital-based Centre in Canada established to improve the health and wellbeing of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis across Ontario by advancing wholistic models of mental health and wellness care that are rooted in traditional healing practices. We deliver care, co-design research, and mobilize knowledge and tools to transform health systems. We action community-identified solutions to foster health justice.

Reporting to the Director, Wellness Innovation, the full-time, permanent Manager, Program Design and Implementation will guide the design, development, and implementation of provincial mental health and substance use initiatives. Working in close collaboration with the Mental Health and Addictions Centre of Excellence at Ontario Health, and with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities and partners, the Manager will use systems thinking and implementation science to advance solutions-focused interventions, identify innovative program design solutions, and oversee provincial implementation initiatives grounded in Indigenous engagement principles and practices.

The incumbent will embed Indigenous worldviews, ways of knowing, culturally grounded approaches, and relational accountability into the design and implementation of initiatives that advance Indigenous health, wellness, and self-determination. The role will lead the co-design and operationalization of provincial, regional, and local implementation strategies using systems thinking, implementation science, evaluation, quality improvement, and change management approaches. The Manager will provide technical leadership, oversight, and capacity-building to staff and partners and will lead needs assessments, project planning, monitoring, and reporting to support implementation readiness. The role will also oversee project risks, resources, budgets, partnerships, deliverables, and timelines, while leading quality improvement and continuous learning.

The incumbent will build, nurture, and sustain relationships with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities and organizations, Elders, Knowledge Holders, service users, people with lived and living experience, service providers, funders, and system partners to support meaningful engagement, shared decision-making, and co-development. The Manager will provide supervision to a multidisciplinary team and ensure high-quality and consistent application of methodologies, tools, workflows, and practices. The incumbent will foster a respectful, inclusive, culturally safe, and psychologically safe workplace.

The successful candidate will have a Master’s degree in health sciences, health policy/administration, design, social work, public health, or a related field from a recognized institution. You will also have the following experience, knowledge, and skills:

Minimum three years of managerial experience, preferably supervising staff undertaking program design and implementation-focused work.

Minimum five years of demonstrated experience supporting the implementation of complex interventions in a mental health, healthcare, academic, community-based, or policy context.

Comprehensive knowledge of the Indigenous health system and demonstrated experience applying Indigenous principles of engagement, Indigenous evaluation frameworks, and community-driven approaches.

Demonstrated experience building and maintaining relationships with government, Indigenous community service providers, system partners, and people with lived and living experience, including adults, youth, and families.

Knowledge of Indigenous-led and decolonizing approaches to health implementation and evaluation, including Indigenous worldviews, relational accountability, Two-Eyed Seeing, distinctions-based and rights-holding frameworks, cultural safety and humility, land- and relationship-based approaches, and systems-level implementation practices grounded in Indigenous ways of knowing.

Comprehensive knowledge of implementation science and practice frameworks, conceptual models, project management principles, and methodologies.

Demonstrated capacity in systems thinking, design, human-centred design, innovation methodologies, and change management, with the ability to connect scale and spread initiatives to measurable outcomes.

Strong understanding of structural, systemic, and institutional racism and oppression and their implications for mental health, substance use, health equity, and system transformation.

Extensive content expertise in Indigenous health, equity, engagement, and culturally safe practice, with the ability to facilitate open, meaningful, and productive dialogue across diverse perspectives.

Excellent facilitation, negotiation, communication, coaching, mentoring, and relationship-management skills, including the ability to achieve consensus, resolve conflict, manage expectations, and work effectively in a matrix environment.

Ability to work strategically and independently under pressure, balance competing priorities, meet deadlines, resolve problems in a timely manner, and support high-quality implementation across complex environments.

Experience developing capacity-building resources, implementation tools, reports, briefing materials, presentations, or other knowledge products is an asset.

Bilingualism or knowledge of Indigenous languages is considered an asset.

PLEASE NOTE

This is a full-time position. The role works across provincial, regional, and community contexts and may require travel to community partner sites, advisory meetings, and other locations as necessary.

Compensation & Benefits:

• Salary is competitive and based on experience, with a hiring range of $112,495.94 – $140,619.93 per year.
• Employees in this role may progress within the full pay range of $112,495.94 – $168,743.91 per year
• CAMH’s Total Rewards: Includes participation in HOOPP defined benefit pension plan, extended health and dental benefits, paid vacation starting at 4 weeks, flexible work arrangements, and ongoing professional development support.

This role allows professionals to apply their expertise in a mission-driven environment dedicated to public health outcomes

CAMH is a fully affiliated teaching hospital and research institute of the University of Toronto. As a CAMH employee, you will contribute to our mission by supporting teaching, research, and clinical care across the hospital.

CAMH is dedicated to equity, diversity, and inclusion. Our commitment is to foster a workplace, teaching, and learning environment that is inclusive, respectful, and free from discrimination or harassment.

CAMH strongly encourages applications from candidates who reflect the diversity of the communities we serve, including First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Peoples; Black and other racialized communities; LGBTQ2S+ communities; women; and people with disabilities, including those with lived experience of mental health and substance use challenges.

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds. Thank you to all who apply; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. If you require accommodations during the application or recruitment process, please let us know.