Indigenous Health Equity Lead - Ontario Health, Sudbury

The Opportunity

Ontario Health is actively seeking an Indigenous Health Equity Lead to drive significant, sustainable improvements in health outcomes for First Nations, Inuit, Métis, and Urban Indigenous communities (FNIMUI) across the North Region. This pivotal role acts as a crucial connector, bridging Indigenous governance and community priorities with regional planning and provincial health system transformation efforts within Ontario.

Working collaboratively with Indigenous communities, health service providers, and cross-divisional teams, the Lead will integrate community intelligence, cultural safety, and distinctions-based approaches into various critical areas. These include planning, service design, funding, performance management, emergency management, and broader system improvement activities. This is a unique opportunity for a relationship-centred leader to translate Indigenous Health Equity priorities into tangible action, fostering stronger partner confidence and supporting a unified Ontario Health approach that respects regional FNIMUI and geographic distinctions across Northern Ontario.

What You'll Bring

To be successful in this vital role, you will need a strong foundation in education, experience, and a deep understanding of Indigenous health contexts.

• Post-Secondary Degree or Diploma in a Health-related field, Public Administration, Business, or Social Work, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• 5 years of related experience working within a First Nations, Inuit, Métis, and Urban Indigenous (FNIMUI) community.
• Extensive understanding of the First Nations, Inuit, Métis, and Urban Indigenous (FNIMUI) population landscape, including urban communities, health service providers, First Nation communities, and Provincial Territorial Organizations.
• Preference will be given to individuals with lived experience in a First Nations, Inuit, Métis, and Urban Indigenous (FNIMUI) community.
• Preference for candidates with an understanding of Indigenous languages.
• Good working knowledge of First Nations, Inuit, Métis, and Urban Indigenous (FNIMUI) health planning processes and the jurisdictional issues associated with the delivery of Indigenous health care services.
• Understanding of the Ontario health-care system, its partners, programs, and issues.
• Good understanding and sensitivity to federal and provincial First Nations, Inuit, Métis, and Urban Indigenous (FNIMUI) health planning processes.
• Sensitivity and awareness of traditional healing and wellness practices.
• Knowledge of health equity as an approach to strengthening the health care system.
• Demonstrated experience in successful community outreach and engagement with FNIMUI people.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship management skills, supported by excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Demonstrated experience with facilitation techniques and processes, comfortable with developing and delivering presentations, including engagement with FNIMUI people, and facilitating EIDA-R learning options.
• Demonstrated experience working effectively in partnership with FNIMUI people and organizations with diverse backgrounds.
• Well-developed decision-making, problem-solving, and judgement skills.
• Excellent project management and presentation skills, including planning and communications.
• Proven track record in achieving successful outcomes.
• In-depth development knowledge of local health issues, priorities, and needs, while recognizing broader trends in health care policy and system development.

Responsibilities

As the Indigenous Health Equity Lead, you will be instrumental in shaping and implementing strategies that foster equitable health outcomes across Northern Ontario. Your responsibilities will include:

• Co-develop and implement the North Region Indigenous Health Equity Operational Plan, aligning regional priorities with provincial Indigenous Health, Equity, and French language health services objectives.
• Bring Indigenous community intelligence, governance direction, cultural safety, and distinctions-based approaches into regional planning, service design, funding, performance, emergency management, communications, and clinical work.
• Facilitate collaboration across Ontario Health teams, Indigenous Health Service Providers, and community partners to identify needs, gaps, risks, and practical solutions.
• Support culturally safe engagement with FNIMUI communities and partners, including planning approaches, community engagement events, issue resolution, and follow-up actions.
• Provide technical planning expertise, data analysis, and advice to support evidence-informed health system planning and address Indigenous health inequities.
• Strengthen organizational capacity through guidance, education, resource development, presentations, and practical support related to Indigenous health equity and cultural safety.
• Develop executive updates, reports, and presentations to communicate progress, emerging issues, risks, and opportunities.
• Maintain awareness of FNIMUI community profiles, health services, leaders, priorities, best practices, and emerging research to inform regional and provincial planning.
• Participate in provincial and regional planning activities and perform other duties as assigned.

Why You'll Love It Here

At Ontario Health, your professional growth and personal well-being are deeply valued and actively supported. We are committed to fostering a strong organizational culture that connects and inspires all team members across the province, striving to be a leader in health and wellness for all. Our mission is to connect the health system to drive improved and equitable health outcomes, experiences, and value, guided by our core values of integrity, inspiration, tenacity, humility, and care. Joining our team means making a meaningful impact while building a fulfilling and sustainable career.

• Comprehensive health coverage from day one, with fully paid medical, dental, and vision benefits to support you and your family’s health.
• Flexible health care or wellness spending accounts, plus an inclusive program to support your overall well-being.
• A premium defined benefit pension plan, ensuring long-term financial security.
• Competitive vacation entitlement that encourages time to rest and recharge.
• Three personal days and two float days annually, providing added flexibility to support work-life balance, in addition to vacation days.
• Ongoing learning and career development opportunities designed to help you grow, advance, and thrive in your profession.
• A collaborative, values-driven workplace where integrity, care, humility, inspiration, and tenacity shape everything we do.
• Opportunities to participate in Communities of Inclusion, fostering belonging, equity, and the sharing of diverse perspectives across our team.

Ontario Health is an accessible employer and actively encourages applications from candidates who are First Nations, Métis, Inuit, and urban Indigenous; Francophone; members of Black and racialized groups; 2SLGBTQIA+ communities; trans and nonbinary individuals; and people living with disabilities. We offer accommodation in all aspects of employment, including the recruitment process. If you require a disability-related accommodation, please email careers@ontariohealth.ca.