President

The Institute for Work & Health (IWH) is an independent, bi-partite, not-for-profit organization whose mission is to research and promote new ways to prevent workplace disability. Established by the Ontario Workplace Safety & Insurance Board (WSIB) more than 25 years ago, the Institute has become a mature and unique interdisciplinary research and knowledge transfer organization with over 50 employees. Today, the Toronto-based Institute is a respected global leader, recognized for its contribution to the prevention and management of work-related illness and injury, through multi-disciplinary research and knowledge transfer. Its researchers are recognized as innovative for the issues they study, the methodologies they use, and for the independence and applications of their research. The Institute’s research relies on strong relationships with stakeholders, drawing on their knowledge and expertise to help ensure that work can be used to inform policy and practice to protect the safety and health of working people. The Institute is guided by the following mission: “To promote, protect and improve the safety and health of working people by conducting actionable research that is valued by employers, bargaining agents, workers and policy-makers".

The President of the Institute for Work & Health will provide overall leadership and support to staff, ensuring that their research continues to focus on issues of concern within the field of occupational health and that, through communication and knowledge transfer, their research is applied in ways that positively impact worker health and well being. Accountable to the Board, the President serves as advocate/ambassador for the Institute, to maintain its reputation, nationally and internationally, as the gold standard in the world of occupational health.  Key to success in the role will be the ability to build and maintain relationships with the many stakeholders on whom the Institute depends for its continued financial viability.  The President is responsible for the effective stewardship of the Institute’s resources – ensuring that sound financial management systems and processes contribute to the long-term success of the Institute.

As the ideal candidate, you bring research credentials along with substantive senior leadership experience to take on the role of a visionary leader, in order to generate understanding, foster employee engagement and commitment to the organization’s vision. A forward thinking problem-solver with a passion for work and health, you exercise outstanding analytical skills and are able to weigh options and manage risk by identifying ideas, emerging trends, and opportunities important for shaping both the world of work and the work of the Institute. You must facilitate an environment of bi-partite collaboration and rigorous scientific methods and innovative knowledge exchange. A commitment to research and to leading, the ideal individual will support a culture of high performance and engagement. A leader with a participative/democratic style that champions diversity and inclusion and can support the development and productivity of a highly talented and skilled workforce will be most successful in this role.

For more information on this outstanding leadership opportunity, please contact Joanne McMullin of Odgers Berndtson. If you wish to submit your application, please visit https://www.odgersberndtson.com/en/careers/17288. The Institute for Work & Health is an equal opportunity employer. In accordance with the Accessible Canada Act, 2019 and all applicable provincial accessibility standards, upon request, accommodation will be provided by both Odgers Berndtson and IWH throughout the recruitment, selection and/or assessment process to applicants with disabilities.