Project Lead

Competition 2092

This position is part of the Association of the Academic Staff of the University of Alberta (AASUA).

In accordance with the Trust/Research Academic Staff Agreement, this position has a comprehensive benefits package and an annual salary range of $76,135 to $85,660. This position has an initial appointment of 1 year.

Location - This role is in-person at North Campus Edmonton.

Working at the University of Alberta

The University of Alberta acknowledges that we are located on Treaty 6 territory, and respects the histories, languages and cultures of First Nations, Métis, Inuit and all FirstPeoples of Canada, whose presence continues to enrich our vibrant community.

The University of Alberta is a community of knowledge seekers, change makers and world shapers who lead with purpose each and every day. We are home to over 14,000 faculty and staff, more than 40,000 students and a growing community of 300,000 alumni worldwide.

Your work will have a meaningful influence on a fascinating cross-section of people — from our students and community members, to our renowned researchers and innovators, making discoveries and generating solutions that make the world healthier, safer, stronger and more just. Learn more.

Working for the Alberta Diabetes Institute 

The Alberta Diabetes Institute (ADI) is a leading research institute based at the University of Alberta dedicated to advancing the understanding, prevention, treatment, and management of diabetes. The ADI brings together a multidisciplinary team of researchers, clinicians, and educators to address the complex challenges associated with diabetes through innovative research and comprehensive clinical care.

Connect1d Canada is a project under Diabetes Action Canada (DAC) and was created through patient-oriented research activities within our CIHR-funded Strategy for Patient-Oriented Research Network in Diabetes. It is a collaborative, patient-led, online community that brings together researchers, healthcare professionals, and individuals living with T1D. Its mission is to foster innovation, promote knowledge sharing, and facilitate the recruitment of participants for research studies related to T1D. DAC is a pan-Canadian research network dedicated to improving the health and wellness of those living with diabetes through equitable care and prevention. DAC focuses on fostering patient-oriented research, which involves patients as active partners in the research process rather than simply as passive participants.

Connect1d Canada leadership is transitioning from the University Health Network (UHN) in Toronto to the Alberta Diabetes Institute (ADI) and in need of a Project Lead to drive this transition and grow the platform within the ADI research ecosystem.  

Position Summary

Reporting to the Director of the ADI and the Executive Director of DAC, the Project Lead will oversee and manage Connect1d Canada.

The role involves directing Connect1d Canada’s operations and developing a comprehensive type 1 diabetes (T1D) clinical network focused on screening and early detection.

The incumbent will possess a strong background in healthcare management, expertise in network development, and a passion for improving outcomes for individuals living with T1D.

Duties 

Strategic Leadership (20%):

• Lead and oversee the strategic plan implementation for Connect1d Canada for Diabetes Action Canada, to sustain a culture of high performance for strategic and technological digital transformation initiatives across the network.
• Implement strategies and solutions to grow Connect1d Canada to meet the needs of health service providers and the overall health system.
• Working directly with the Director of ADI and Executive Director of DAC on new initiatives, demonstration, and feasibility projects.
• Develop and execute strategies to grow and manage Connect1d Canada’s network of both researchers and those living with T1D interested in participating in clinical research opportunities.
• Lead the planning and implementation of initiatives to enhance the organization’s presence and impact in the T1D community. 

Network Development (15%):

• Champion for the Network to develop and leverage supporting internal and external networks and relationships within academia, the public sector, and industry.
• Collaborator relations with funding partners, Patient Partners, and members of the Network. This includes chairing meetings with the Network’s research teams to plan Connect1d Canada research projects and working with government policy and decision-makers, NGOs, and other SPOR-funded entities.
• Assembles multi-disciplinary teams to achieve the strategic goals of Diabetes Action Canada and to improve care in diabetes by connecting the right people, developing working groups, and engaging researchers in patient-oriented research.
• Build and maintain partnerships with healthcare providers, clinics, research institutions, and other partners to establish a robust T1D clinical network.
• Identify and pursue opportunities for collaboration and funding to support network expansion and sustainability. 

Program Management (20%):

• Lead activities that include technical and non-technical scope definition, requirements gathering, and identification of milestones, among other activities.
• Risk management and mitigation strategies identified, with escalation when appropriate for challenging issues or problems to management.
• Manage the activities for the Connect1d Canada Advisory Committee and implements and oversees directives from the DAC steering council regarding communications, reporting, stewardship, sustainability planning, strategic partnerships, and establishing ad hoc committees for evaluation and strategic planning.
• Oversee the development and implementation of Connect1d Canada programs including the T1D screening program and initiatives.
• Ensure programs are aligned with organizational goals and regulatory requirements through semi-annual reporting to the Directors. 

Community Engagement (10%):

• Develop a plan to access the data provided by users through activities within Connect1d Canada to report back to the community on demographics and other aggregate information that brings value to the users.
• Present findings, initiatives, and relevant DAC activities at local, regional, national, and international forums as appropriate.
• Foster strong relationships with individuals, families, and support groups within the T1D community.
• Organize and participate in community events, webinars, and outreach activities to raise awareness and support for T1D screening and care.

Operational Oversight (15%):

• HR management for external staff members and Administrative Personnel.  This will include recruitment, goal-setting, and performance evaluation
• Serve as the main point of contact for all Connect1d Canada inquiries with respect to user profiles, website information, technical requirements to support this initiative, and privacy of data collected by the platform.
• Collaborates with data providers, Health Information Custodians, Health Information Network Providers, and Prescribed Entities to align work with provincial and national initiatives.
• Manage day-to-day operations, including budgeting, resource allocation, set timelines for deliverables and milestones for support staff, organize regular meetings with advisors and stakeholders 

Research and Innovation (10%):

• Work with research teams to support the upload of their research projects to Connect1d Canada and support preparing all materials (with the exception of REB applications) to ensure information on the site is written for a general audience.
• Liaise with industry experts both inside and outside Canada to obtain a broad context for understanding various trends and developments of significance to digital health, diabetes informatics, and patient-oriented research.
• Collaborate with research teams to integrate the latest scientific advancements into Connect1d Canada and to facilitate research by communicating new screening and care programs.
• Promote and support research initiatives aimed at improving T1D outcomes.

Advocacy and Representation (10%):

• Work directly with: other health authorities under Alberta Health (e.g., Alberta Health Services), privacy commissioners, government officials, Assistant Deputy Minister of Health, and others to move agenda items forward in a timely and collaborative manner.
• Represent Connect1d Canada at conferences, meetings, and public forums.
• Advocate for policies and practices that support Connect1d Canada initiatives such as T1D screening, care, and research.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: PhD or MSc with complementary experience in healthcare management, public health, business administration, or a related field

Experience: Minimum of 5 years of experience in healthcare management, network development, or a related area. Experience in diabetes care or chronic disease management is highly desirable.

Skills:

• Proven leadership and project management skills with the ability to plan and lead concurrent projects, cross-functional teams, and work groups.
• Demonstrated ability to build strong partnerships and working relationships with internal and external stakeholders using strong consultation, consensus-building and negotiation skills.
• Exceptional public speaking skills (Media Interview (Film and Print), Conference Presentations, Panels and as invited speakers representing Diabetes Action Canada
• Strong understanding of Alberta healthcare systems and digital health landscape, including the broad socio-economic issues impacting provincial healthcare, models of healthcare and digital health delivery, funding, governance, and related critical issues.
• Advanced knowledge of health data assets, administrative data, primary care data, PREMs and PROMs and social determinants of health data
• Excellent people management skills with strong political acuity and an understanding of critical issues and concerns faced by a variety of healthcare and digital health stakeholders
• Demonstrated experience in supporting transformation of care using technology as an enabler
• Ability to analyze and interpret complex information to deliver tailored solutions
• Exceptional experience in effective strategic planning, budgeting, research, resource allocation, analytics and policy processes.
• Proven track record of successful planning and execution of large, complex change initiatives at the local, regional, and provincial levels.

Preferred Qualifications

• General understanding of other provincial healthcare systems and digital health landscapes
• Work experience with a post-secondary institution