deputy medical officer of health

• Job ID: 61308 
• Job Category: Health Services
• Division & Section: Public Health, Decision Support, Surv & Immunization
• Work Location: Hybrid, Union Station, 61 Front Street West, Toronto, ON M5J 1E5 
• Job Type & Duration: Full-time, Temporary Vacancy (2 years)  
  

  Salary Range: $223,231.00-$296,400.00

  Ideal Hiring Zone: $246,824-$267,609

• Shift Information: Monday to Friday, 35 hours per week
• Affiliation: Non-Union
• Number of Positions Open: 1 
• Posting Period: 30-DEC-2025 to 31-JAN-2026 
  

Since 1883, Toronto Public Health (TPH) has been protecting and promoting the health and well-being of all residents across the City of Toronto. With this goal in mind, the TPH Division works to prevent the spread of disease, promote healthy living and advocate for conditions that improve health for our diverse and growing population of 2.9 million.

Reporting to the Board of Health, it also monitors the health status of Torontonians to better respond to ongoing and emerging health needs, and develops and implements public policy and practices that enhance the health of individuals, communities and the entire city.

As Deputy Medical Officer of Health, you will play a vital leadership role within Toronto Public Health by advocating for the health of Toronto's population, providing substantial input into TPH's response to health issues, and providing medical advice to the public, physicians and other health care professionals, and divisional program staff on all aspects of community health.

Reporting to the Medical Officer of Health, and as a member of the Executive Management Team, you will work collaboratively to set the team's development and collective attainment of the Division's strategic directions and performance objectives, including the overall planning, development, monitoring and evaluation of Public Health services. Ensuring the coherence and communication of business strategies across the Division and the coordination of activities across all programs, and assisting in responding to emerging health issues will be an integral part of this senior mandate.

This is an exceptional opportunity for a future-looking professional whose recognized medical expertise and commitment to public health are complemented by proven managerial savvy and political acumen, as well as a demonstrated interest in preparing to take the next logical step in a successful public health career.

Strategic orientation and customer focus

A champion of best practices, you will direct Division activities related to accreditation standards, quality assurance risk management and serious occurrence response, and establish mechanisms (including information management and data collection systems) to monitor and support professional practice standards for several different health disciplines. We will also rely on you to monitor community health epidemiological indicators, identify emerging issues and priorities in the external environment that could impact on community health needs and/or service delivery, and use this information to direct the establishment of public health interventions that improve the health of the City's residents.

Continuous improvement and change

Your strategic and lateral thinking skills and planning abilities will be evident as you develop, design and implement functional policies and programs that make major changes in overall business performance based on long-term needs. You will also contribute to the continuous improvement of divisional performance through analysis and the development and implementation of sound management practices and procedures, and by providing program management staff with the direction, guidance, processes and tools they need to increase efficiencies and improve the effectiveness of Section services.

Modelling a commitment to innovation

Creating a culture that supports new practices and welcomes new ideas, you will monitor, interpret and adapt scientific literature, and findings from jurisdictional scans and other sources, and use this insight to oversee and guide the creation of effective public health interventions to improve the health of Toronto's residents, reduce health inequities, as well as identify, and respond to, the health needs of vulnerable populations. This will see you providing accessible services, advocating for, and developing, policies that address the social determinants of health, and participating in the review, planning and conduct of applied research - from preparing research proposals, to submitting abstracts and delivering presentations.

Accountability and engaging leadership

Adept at creating innovative solutions to operational and administrative challenges, and at developing and implementing recommendations for improvements to existing policies, programs and processes, you will capably build effective management teams and support the development of collaborative working relationships and the coordination of activities across all programs. You will also direct, through a dedicated management team, and lead a diverse workforce, resolving labour relations issues, ensuring effective teamwork, high standards of work quality and organizational performance, and promoting continuous learning and innovation.

Relationship building and political acuity

A savvy, persuasive communicator, you are well equipped to act in the capacity of Medical Officer of Health in their absence, speak on their behalf in local, provincial, national and international media, as well as represent the Division and support the Medical Officer of Health at meetings of the Board of Health, City Council and related Standing Committees. These strengths are enhanced by effective skills in managing relationships across various divisions with key and high-profile internal and external stakeholders at all levels, including political representatives and the media.

Among the other strengths you bring to the role of Deputy Medical Officer of Health will be the following key qualifications:

1. Graduation from an approved medical school, registration with the College of Physicians & Surgeons of Ontario, and a licence to practise medicine in the Province of Ontario.
2. Fellowship in Public Health and Preventive Medicine with the Royal College of Physicians & Surgeons of Canada.
3. Extensive experience as a senior leader, leading a large, diverse team, preferably in a unionized environment.
4. Extensive experience setting strategic direction, and managing the delivery of programs and initiatives that create service improvement and efficiencies.
5. Experience in risk management and in designing and implementing effective public health interventions.
6. Extensive experience in facilitating, influencing and engaging diverse stakeholders, and in the coordination and execution of projects that span multiple sectors or disciplines.
7. A track record demonstrating extensive financial management and operational budget experience.

This highly visible role also calls for the ability to manage competing priorities and demands in a rapidly changing environment, and excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the capacity to effectively plan, develop, implement and evaluate complex administrative and operating systems. A proven ability to act in an ethical, transparent manner, in compliance with the corporate code of conduct, is essential for success in this executive position.

Equally important, you have what it takes to support the Toronto Public Service values to ensure a culture that champions equity, diversity and respectful workplaces.

Given the complex nature of this mandate and the environment in which we operate, you will also be prepared to provide 24/7 on-call medical direction for urgent public health issues that arise in the city.

The City is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to creating a workplace culture of inclusiveness that reflects the diverse residents that we serve. Learn more about the City's commitment to employment equity.

The City of Toronto is committed to creating an accessible and inclusive organization. We are committed to providing barrier-free and accessible employment practices in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Should you require Code-protected accommodation through any stage of the recruitment process, please make them known when contacted and we will work with you to meet your needs. Disability-related accommodation during the application process is available upon request. Learn more about the City's Hiring Policies and Accommodation Process.