Quality Lead, Surgical Oncology Program

Role title: Quality Lead, Surgical Oncology Program

Reports to: Provincial Head, Surgical Oncology Program Ontario Health-Cancer Care Ontario

Location: Ontario (Currently virtual)

Anticipated time commitment: 0.1 FTE

Term: Two (2) year + one (1) year renewable

Number of opportunities: One (1)

Posting date: March 31, 2026

Closing date: May 12, 2026

Position summary

Ontario Health is seeking expressions of interest from surgeons for the position of Lead, Quality & Knowledge Transfer (KT) to shape the future of surgical oncology quality in Ontario.

This role is a senior clinical leadership position for a respected cancer surgeon with the credibility, influence, and analytical expertise preferably with expertise in working with large administrative databases to advance surgical quality at a provincial level. The successful candidate will engage and align diverse surgical specialties across Ontario to drive meaningful quality improvement, translate clinical epidemiology and administrative data into actionable quality indicators, and lead the development and implementation of evidence based standards that improve outcomes, equity, and system performance in cancer surgery.

Questions about the role may be submitted by email no later than April. 30, 2026.

A consolidated list of all questions and answers will be available to any party, by request, by May. 6, 2026.

Interested parties should forward their expression of interest and curriculum vitae, electronically, with the subject line as “Application for Quality Lead, Surgical Oncology Program - [Your Name]” no later than 5:00 P.M. on May. 12, 2026.

To send a question, receive a copy of the consolidated list of questions and answers, or to submit your expression of interest, please contact Sourcing@ontariohealth.ca.

Accountabilities

The key responsibilities of this position are:

• Work with the Provinical Surgical Oncology Lead, manager and team to provide provincial leadership for the Surgical Oncology Program’s (SOP) quality improvement agenda, including the development, implementation and maintenance of clinical and organizational guidelines, surgical quality indicators, performance reporting and related educations strategies (reports, webinars).
• Establish and sustain strong relationships with surgical leaders and clinical communities across Ontario (eg. Regional Surgical Leads) to drive engagement, adoption of standards and participation in quality initiaives.
• Lead Surgical Quality Indicator (SQI) working groups for each disease site, to consult on indicators for the annual report including methodology development, data reviews and interpretation, and timely reviews of meeting materials and various communications.
• Promotion of the SQI report to relevant administrateive and clinical stakeholders to influence the development of a quality improvement culture across all regional cancer programs.
• Develop and lead knowledge transfer and implementation strategies including the integration of community of practice (CoP) activities, chairing guideline or recommendation report expert panels, or planning, promoting and executing provincial education webinars.
• Play a key role in setting annual priorities for surgical quality projects with measurable outcomes, and system impact.
• Act as provincial quality advocate providing expert advice on the integration of quality improvement with Quality Based Procedure (QBP) funding for cancer surgery in the province
• Collaborate with OH-CCO programs (i.e. regional programs, Program in Evidence Based Care, Cancer Leads and Disease Site Groups etc., as appropriate) to support guideline development and regional implementation.
• Provide clinical leadership and expert advice, to support the guidance and leadership and provides clinical expertise to relevant staff preparing papers, reports, presentations, including SOP staff and other CCO staff as required
• Mentor SOP staff and consultants, fostering capacity in quality improvement and performance measurement
• Serve as a spokesperson for SOP quality initiatives as appropriate and reporesent the program with internal and external partners
• Liaise with relevant external organizations/entities to promote learning from and sharing of our work
• Participate in Surgical Oncology Program and OH-CCO related committees, panels and working groups as needed
• Provide leadership coverage and representation in absence of the Provincial Head including Clinical Counicl, Quarterly Performance Reviews, etc.

Qualifications

• Practicing cancer surgeon in Ontario, in good standing with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) with a minimum of 10 years of clinical experience
• Significant experience in a formal clinical leadership role focused on quality improvement, preferably on a provincial or regional level.
• Proven track record of impactful clinical leadership at the hospital, regional, and/or academic level.Demonstrated system level thinker with experience leading or influencing quality improvement initiatives across complex health systems (highly preferable)
• Recognized opinion leader within the oncology and surgical community, with the credibility to engage and influence diverse clinical audiences.
• In-depth knowledge of clinical, administrative and system-wide issues with respect to quality of cancer services and quality improvement and knowledge transfer methodology
• Strong background in clinical epidemiology; experience working with administrative and population level data (DAD, NACRS) to develop, analyze, and apply quality indicators is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated analytical skills and sound judgment, with the ability to synthesize complex information to support strategic and operational decision making.
• Excellent interpersonal and collaboration skills, with a proven ability to build consensus and work effectively across disciplines and regions.
• Excellent interpersonal and collaboration skills, with a proven ability to build consensus and work effectively across disciplines and regions.
• Demonstrated commitment to patient-centred care, transparency and public accountability
• Enthusiasm for, and commitment to, advancing quality improvement in cancer surgery at the system level
• Evidence of scholarly or innovative contributions to cancer care through research, publications, or the design and implementation of novel programs or systems

How to apply

Interested parties should forward their expression of interest and curriculum vitae, electronically, with the subject line as “Application for Quality Lead, Surgical Oncology Program - [Your Name]” no later than 5:00 P.M. on May. 12, 2026, to Sourcing@ontariohealth.ca.

We will evaluate all applications against the skills and experience requirements for the position. Those candidates selected for interview will be contacted directly by a representative from the Business Unit. Ontario Health may consider applications from incumbents currently in the position. If you have not been contacted within 3 weeks after the close of the posting, you can assume you are not under consideration for this position.

More About Ontario Health

An agency of the Ministry of Health, we are the Ontario government’s principal advisor on cancer and chronic kidney disease care, as well as access to care for key health services. It is guided by a mission that together we will improve the performance of our health systems in Ontario by driving quality, accountability, innovation and value.

We manage infrastructure, assets and models to improve the province’s health systems for cancer and chronic kidney disease (through its division the Ontario Renal Network). We also direct and oversee healthcare funds for hospitals and other cancer and chronic kidney disease care providers, enabling them to deliver high-quality, timely services and improved access to care.

As an operational service agency of the Government of Ontario, we are accountable for conducting a fair and transparent process, providing equal treatment to all qualified parties, in selecting a candidate for the above mentioned role.

Our website is at:
http://www.ontariohealth.ca