Director, Health Research Data Platform

Please note that a strong internal candidate has been identified.

The Saskatchewan Centre for Patient-Oriented Research (SCPOR) vision is working together for a healthier Saskatchewan through patient-oriented research (POR).  POR brings patients and those around them (family, friends, and community) together as partners in research, along with health professionals, administrators and researchers.  SCPOR is a group of partners that includes patients, academic institutions, government agencies and health organizations.  Together, SCPOR will work on the Learning Health System (LHS), with the goal of improving the health and wellbeing of patients and families and ensuring healthcare services are helping people.   SCPOR's most significant impact will be to support the health system in its approaches to collecting and learning from health-related information to achieve system improvement.   
 
Funded by SCPOR and Health Data Research Network (HDRN) Canada, the Health Research Data Platform-Saskatchewan (HRDP-SK) is the first platform in Saskatchewan to integrate health data from multiple agencies. The platform provides researchers timely access to health data and supports them to conduct research which informs health and health care. The HRDP-SK is enabled by the Master Health Data Sharing Agreement (MHDSA) and its staff are situated in multiple organizations including eHealth Saskatchewan, the Saskatchewan Health Authority, the University of Saskatchewan, the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency and the Health Quality Council. 

Primary Purpose:
The Director oversees the HRDP-SK data platform's strategy and operations and provides leadership to the entire HRDP-SK team. This position serves as a strategic and operational conduit between the University and the external health system partners to ensure relationships are fostered and strengthened to ensure researchers have timely access to data.  They will collaborate with the academic, research, health and government partners to continuously improve data access in alignment with provincial and national visions and directions. The Director will play a pivotal role in proposing and executing strategies to grow and expand capacity for data access, analytic capacity and health research and ensure the sustainability of the platform.

The Director will serve as the Saskatchewan Lead for the Health Data Research Network. As such, they will be responsible for identifying and implementing opportunities for Saskatchewan to participate in national research studies and technological and research advancements such as federated data analysis.

The Director will serve as the non-voting Chair of the MHDSA Governance Committee. As such, they are responsible for providing secretariat support to the committee in their role providing oversight of the administration and implementation of the MHDSA and the HRDP-SK.  

Nature of Work: Reporting to the Executive Director, SCPOR this position is a key member of the SCPOR Leadership Team. This position requires strong relationship building skills, and knowledge of data access, privacy legislation, research processes and the Saskatchewan health system.

This role serves as a bridge across multiple partner organizations, each contributing significant value, revenue and human resources to the HRDP-SK. The Director navigates tensions and synergies between these organizations leveraging their unique strengths and fostering a collaborative environment to develop and implement a cohesive vision and implementation plan for the HRDP-SK. This includes exercising budgetary oversight over internal and external revenue of approximately $3M and directly supervising 4 staff at the University and co-managing 20 additional staff who work for the HRDP-SK in partner organizations.  Experience with strategic planning, budgeting, proposal development and staff management are required.

The environment is fast paced and dynamic, therefore the Director must be able to balance competing priorities and projects, and adapt to change.

Accountabilities

Operational Oversight:

• Responsibility for the operational oversight of the HRDP-SK. Co-manage staff with partner organization leadership.
• Responsible for maintaining the ongoing partnerships which are essential for the sustainability and successful service delivery of the HRDP-SK.
• Oversee and manage the budget and financial operations of HRDP-SK.

Leadership:

• Develop, implement and provide ongoing evaluation of HRDP-SK.
• Achieve the outcomes of the HRDP-SK by collaborating with, encouraging, supporting, coaching, developing and mentoring others who may or may not have formal reporting responsibilities to the position;
• Model a high standard of performance and professionalism. Demonstrate the ability to work effectively in formal and informal teams with people across the University and partner organizations.
• Collaborate with SCPOR Leadership, SCPOR Partners, College of Medicine Research leadership and Saskatchewan health research community.
• Participate and collaborate with the Provincial Data Governance leaders including but not limited to the MHDSA Committees.
• Participate and collaborate with the pan-Canadian HDRN Leadership, Leads and working groups.

Strategy:

• With SCPOR, College of Medicine and external partners, support the development and implementation of the Provincial Digital Health strategy.
• Create and implement the HRDP-SK strategic and annual plan in alignment with College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, SCPOR and Provincial Data strategies, and cascade these plans into operational plans inclusive of budget and human resources.
• Collaborate as a member of the SCPOR leadership team; the director assists with SCPOR's budgetary planning for strategic direction, optimizing the operational plan.
• Partner with provincial and national leaders and organizations to enhance data sharing agreements to increase and improve the data available in HRDP-SK.
• Partner with provincial leaders and organization to improve the quality, efficiency, effectiveness and security of data.
• Collaborate with College of Medicine teams, departments and researchers to increase awareness about data access and encourage research grant applications that leverage data.
• Monitor HRDP-SK user satisfaction and evaluation outcomes.
• Represent the HRDP-SK and SCPOR on committees and strategy teams for high-level programs and projects.
• Lead the development of HRDP-SK funding proposals, and provide support with research proposals including SCPOR CIHR future funding.

People Resources:

• Lead recruitment, orientation, training, coaching, disciplinary action, and development activities with HRDP-SK staff, including those in partner organizations, to build and maintain a productive and effective team;
• Advise stakeholders including staff and external collaborators, on policy, new initiatives and emerging challenges;
• In partnership with other senior leaders at the University and from partner organizations, lead annual strategic planning and people planning;
• Promote and nurture a culture of diversity, acceptance, collegiality, and accountability within the HRDP-SK, SCPOR and university.

Administration:

• Work with partners, to ensure staffing and operations budget is on target;
• Develop, implement, evaluate and amend procedures and policies related to the efficient and effective operation of the HRDP-SK in alignment with provincial legislative requirements.
• Manage the HRDP-SK budget, which includes setting and adjusting staffing requirements to meet the demand for data from researchers.
• Responsible for overseeing the completion of HRDP- SK external reporting requirements, both operational and financial.
• Minimize exposure to risk by ensuring policies, procedures are followed; ensures compliance with USask and Tri-Agency guidelines, where applicable.

Qualifications

Education: A relevant Master's university degree; as well as project management and/or change management certification is desirable.

An equivalent combination of education and related experience may be considered.

Experience: A minimum of ten years related experience in health and/or academic research is required. Experience in project management, change management, or quality improvement would be a definite asset. Experience with strategic planning and people leadership is required. Experience working in diverse and inclusive environments is required.

Competencies

Leadership / Vision

The demonstrated ability to build a shared, compelling and credible vision of the future, influencing people to ensure outcomes that support achieving the vision; a culture of leadership.

Management of People and Processes

Demonstrated ability to build trust, manage performance, develop people and delegate work appropriately.  Ability to work with staff, users and stakeholders to develop and define process.

Support for Progress

The demonstrated ability to initiate, implement, and support innovation and institutional change and enhance programs and services.

Results Orientation

Focuses on results and completing objectives within the framework defined by the University's plans and policies.

Personal Effectiveness

Demonstrates an ability to reflect, clarify and commit to what is important, take responsibility for growth and development, and contribute to positive and productive work and learning environments.

Communication

The demonstrated ability to convey information and ideas to individuals in a manner that engages the audience and helps them understand, retain, and respond to the message.

Relationship Building

The demonstrated ability to develop the rapport necessary to build, maintain and/or strengthen partnerships and relationships inside and outside of the University.

Review of applications will begin immediately; however, applications will be accepted and evaluated until the position is filled. We thank all applicants for their interest; only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

Department: Saskatoon Centrefor Patient Oriented Research
Status: Term to March 31, 2027 with the possibility of extension

Employment Group: Exempt
Full Time Equivalent (FTE): 1

Salary: The salary range, based on 1.0 FTE, is $93, ,808.00 per annum. The starting salary will be commensurate with education and experience.

Salary Family (if applicable):

Salary Phase/Band: Salary Band 4

Posted Date: 11/12/2025

Closing Date: 11/18/2025 at 6:00 pm CST
Number of Openings: 1
Work Location: May be eligible for hybrid work under the terms of USask's Alternative Workspace Guidelines

The University of Saskatchewan aspires to be what the world needs and embraces equity, diversity and inclusion as foundational to excellence and innovation. We actively seek to create a welcoming environment where all individuals feel empowered to thrive, contribute, and grow. Applications from equity-deserving groups are encouraged as part of our ongoing efforts to reflect the diversity of the communities we serve: EDI Framework for Action.
We continue to grow our partnerships with Indigenous communities across the province, nationally, and internationally and value the unique perspective that Indigenous employees provide to strengthen these relationships. Verification of Indigenous Membership/Citizenship at the University of Saskatchewan is led and determined by the deybwewin | taapwaywin | tapwewin: Indigenous Truth policy and the Standing Committee in accordance with the processes developed to enact the policy. Successful candidates that assert Indigenous membership/citizenship will be asked to complete the verification process of Indigenous membership/citizenship with documentation.
The University of Saskatchewan provides an accessible and inclusive workplace. Should you require support through any stage of the recruitment process, please contact Human Resources for assistance.