Posted: June 24, 2026
Lead, Indigenous Health Unit - Ontario Health, Ontario is listed at Ontario Health on The Beaver Board. Apply using the link below to reach the employer's official application page. Browse more jobs at Ontario Health.
This Lead, Indigenous Health Unit role at Ontario Health in Ontario focuses on advancing culturally relevant, equitable health programs. The successful candidate will build trusted relationships with FNIMUI partners and lead cross-functional initiatives to support Indigenous health priorities. A master's degree in a health-related field and 3-5 years of demonstrated experience leading healthcare projects are required. This position is a full-time, 12-month temporary contract.
Ontario Health is dedicated to connecting the health system to drive improved and equitable health outcomes, experiences, and value across the province. Our vision is to be a leader in health and wellness for all, guided by values of integrity, inspiration, tenacity, humility, and care. This commitment extends to fostering a strong organizational culture where growth and well-being are celebrated, offering comprehensive health coverage from day one, flexible health care accounts, a premium defined benefit pension plan, and competitive vacation entitlement to support work-life balance.
The Indigenous Health Unit (IHU) at Ontario Health is crucial for building strong, respectful relationships with First Nations, Inuit, Métis, and urban Indigenous (FNIMUI) leadership, organizations, and communities. The team works diligently to help ensure Ontario’s health system genuinely reflects the priorities and needs of FNIMUI peoples through partnership, coordinated engagement, and system-wide collaboration. This Lead role presents a unique opportunity to influence Indigenous health priorities across Ontario Health and the broader system, advancing culturally relevant and equitable health programs and services. You will support Ontario Health teams in building internal capacity to lead Indigenous initiatives and embed commitments from the FNIMUI Health Plan into departmental and business unit priorities, making a tangible difference in health outcomes across Ontario.
As the Lead, Indigenous Health Unit, you will be instrumental in building and sustaining trusted relationships with FNIMUI partners, Ontario Health portfolios, regional teams, governments, health service providers, and other system partners to advance shared priorities. Your role will involve leading and supporting cross-functional initiatives related to Indigenous health equity, encompassing policy development, program design, system planning, and coordinated engagement activities. You will provide strategic advice, leadership, and subject matter expertise to internal and external partners, ensuring programs, services, and initiatives are culturally relevant, aligned, and responsive to FNIMUI priorities.
A significant part of this role is to lead complex projects and portfolios from planning through implementation and evaluation, including requirements gathering, workflow redesign, issue resolution, and partner coordination. This includes leading work related to funding arrangements, implementation activities, and reporting with FNIMUI partners and communities, ensuring deliverables are completed with quality and on time. You will apply knowledge of Indigenous cultural values, perspectives, and data governance principles to support thoughtful program implementation, communication, and reporting, while also identifying and managing risks to strengthen relationships and protect Ontario Health’s reputation. Your demonstrated ability to lead and support these critical functions will directly contribute to improved health outcomes for FNIMUI peoples across Ontario.
To be successful in this Lead role, you will need a master’s degree in a health-related field or an acceptable combination of education, training, and experience. You should possess at least 3-5 years of experience successfully leading and managing health care projects and/or programs, with specific experience working with Indigenous communities and people being essential. Experience in addressing Indigenous chronic disease issues would be a valuable asset. Candidates must demonstrate a strong understanding of the social determinants of health and health equity, alongside extensive knowledge of federal and provincial government departments responsible for Indigenous issues and Ontario’s provincial health care system.
Furthermore, extensive knowledge and understanding of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis history, culture, and health/socio-economic issues/needs in Ontario, including governance structures, are critical. You will need demonstrated leadership, excellent communication, decision-making, and problem-solving skills, with a proven ability to think strategically and implement programs and initiatives. The role requires a highly productive and motivated individual capable of quality output, multitasking, and prioritizing assignments to meet timelines. Demonstrated strategic leadership, collaboration, and influencing skills in a complex, high-volume, fast-paced environment are essential, along with the ability to work independently in a self-directed, goal-oriented manner with minimal supervision. All applicants must be a resident of Ontario to be considered for roles at Ontario Health, and this position follows an in-office work model at a designated Ontario Health location.
