Director, Strategic Relations (maternity leave)

The Institute for Work & Health (IWH) is currently seeking a qualified person to fill the position of Director, Strategic Relations for a 13-month maternity leave beginning mid-September 2023.

About the position

The successful candidate will work with the President of IWH, other members of the IWH Executive Team, and the Knowledge Transfer and Exchange and Communication Teams to diversify and expand IWH’s research and stakeholder networks and impact.

Core duties and responsibilities

• Manage and strengthen key organizational relationships including with partners in the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety System, fellow research organizations, and key collaborators. The Director, Strategic Relations identifies and coordinates key interactions and partnership discussions to advance strategic directions set out in the IWH Strategic Plan, 2023-2027: Building on the past. Looking to the Future.
• Identify and execute strategies to showcase the impact of IWH research to stakeholder communities including within Ontario’s occupational health and safety system. In collaboration with the Manager, Communications, ensure that relevant IWH research is communicated to key stakeholder groups, in the right format, at the right time.
• Identify opportunities for IWH research and expertise to contribute to the development of legislation, policies, programs and resources at the provincial and federal levels and within workplaces. Identify and pursue emerging trends and initiatives that could impact IWH or create research or outreach opportunities relevant to the mandate of IWH.
• Provide strategic leadership and coordination for multi-stakeholder events on key work and health issues. The Director, Strategic Relations will work with the President and Knowledge Translation and Exchange team to convene stakeholders in order to amplify IWH’s national and international presence, broaden IWH research audiences, and develop diversity among research and stakeholder groups.
• In collaboration with the Board of Directors and President, lead the renewal of IWH governance frameworks and processes.
• Work with the Executive Team to develop, measure and report on progress towards goals set out in the IWH Strategic Plan, 2023-2027.
• In collaboration with the Scientific Director, monitor high-quality funding opportunities relevant to IWH, identify strategic relationships with other research organizations that are relevant to the IWH Research Plan, and identify opportunities to diversify funding of IWH research beyond traditional granting agencies.
• Carry out other duties needed to help drive our vision, fulfill our mission and uphold the organization’s values.

Education and experience

• Post-graduate training in a discipline relevant to the work of IWH
• Previous experience with stakeholder and/or government relationships in a not-for-profit and/or research setting
• Sound knowledge of, and experience with, board of directors governance activities in a not-for-profit setting
• Experience and familiarity with the Ontario occupational health and safety system and key work and health issues
• Experience in policy generation and implementation
• Strong interpersonal and communications skills to work with external stakeholders and IWH staff
• Strong presentation/speaking skills, as well as strong writing and editing skills
• Excellent multi-tasking and time-management skills, with the ability to set priorities and meet deadlines
• Well-developed ability to work in a team environment and independently

Compensation package

This is a 13-month maternity leave replacement starting in September 2023. Annual base salary will depend on qualifications and experience and will be in the range of $105,000 - $130,000. Enrollment in the group benefit plan and four weeks of annual vacation is included in the overall compensation package. Suitability for the position will be assessed at three months.

IWH has adopted a hybrid work environment. The successful candidate will be required to be in the IWH office a minimum of 2 days per week.

Application details

If you are interested in this position, applicants must submit a cover letter and résumé in a single PDF or Word file, to: 

Derek Wills
Director, Human Resources & Corporate Services
400 University Avenue, Suite 1800
Toronto, Ontario M5G 1S5
Email: careers@iwh.on.ca

Applications will be accepted until Friday September 1, 2023.

IWH is committed to creating an inclusive workplace that values and promotes diversity. IWH encourages applications from racialized persons/persons of colour, Indigenous people, women, LGBTQ2S+ persons, persons with disabilities, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas.

Job applicants requiring accommodation to participate in the hiring process should contact Derek Wills, Director, Human Resources & Corporate Services, via email at dwills@iwh.on.ca or by phone at 416-927-2027 ext. 2115 to communicate their accommodation needs.

We thank all applicants, but only those considered for the position will be contacted. 

About IWH

IWH, guided by a Board of Directors and an international Scientific Advisory Committee, conducts and shares relevant, applicable and high-quality research to protect and improve the health, safety and wellbeing of working people, and to promote their full and inclusive work participation. IWH's research examines the inter-relationships between work and health from worker, workplace and system perspectives.

IWH supports an active knowledge transfer and exchange program, which implements interactive strategies to transfer research findings to key decision-makers. IWH also trains and mentors the next generation of work and health researchers.

IWH is committed to excellent working conditions, a cooperative team environment for its employees, and transparent, diverse and fair recruiting practices of staff and trainees.

IWH operates with the support of the Government of Ontario. For more information about our organization, visit our web site at www.iwh.on.ca.