Strategic Initiatives and Innovations Lead

 

PHSA Corporate

Burnaby, BC

 

Pursuant to section 42 of the British Columbia Human Rights Code, preference will be given to applicants of Indigenous Ancestry. We invite applicants to self-identify within their cover letter and/or resume.

 

In accordance with the Purpose, Vision, Values and Coast Salish Teachings, and strategic directions of PHSA, safety, including both patient and employee safety, is a priority and a responsibility shared by everyone at PHSA. As such, the requirement to continuously improve quality and safety is inherent in all aspects of this position.

 

The Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA) plans, manages and evaluates selected specialty and province-wide health care services across BC, working with the five geographic health authorities to deliver province-wide solutions that improve the health of people who live in BC. PHSA embodies values that reflect a commitment to excellence.

 

Reporting to the Director, Provincial Language Service, the Indigenous Strategic Initiatives and Innovations Lead works to plan, implement, liaise, and work collaboratively with key partners internally and within the province to lead strategic initiatives and innovations tied directly to PLS’s strategic priorities. The Lead assists with identified projects, proposes new initiatives and contributes to all aspects of strategic priorities, including the development, integration, implementation, and evaluation of initiatives that support language access and equity. They research, propose, and implement innovative tools and technologies to assist with language access and delivery for language communities. The role provides leadership and expertise on a range of projects of varying size and scope related to strategic priorities, the development of key resources and papers, participation on provincial working groups, and providing advice to health system partners. The position will initially focus on the development of an Indigenous Language Access service delivery model that includes community engagement and relationship building with Indigenous communities across the province.

What you’ll do

• Act as an expert advisor and liaison for Health Authority partners across the province. Plan and support implementation of best practices, supporting quality of language access delivery, prioritizing provincial activities and serving as a resource for best practice.
• Participate and when applicable, is the lead for the implementation of PLS strategic priorities. Collaborate with members of the leadership team by sharing information and proposing recommendations and monitoring timelines that enable the attainment of goals and objectives, consistent with the PLS strategic priorities.
• Develop networks to build engagement and participation with key partners for strategic initiative work.
• Collaborate across boundaries and finds common ground with a wide range of key partners, including government agencies, professional associations, regulatory bodies, health authorities and various BC language communities, such as Indigenous communities.
• Identify key components and underlying issues and systematically analyzes problems and determines solutions.
• Synthesize evidence and aligns multiples ideas and strategies to develop tools and resources to support strategic initiatives (including, but not limited to reports, topic materials, web-based tools, position, policy and white papers, and other documents).
• Work on all phases of project management (including but not limited to coordinating meetings, project planning, privacy impact assessments, CME/ethics applications, evaluation and monitoring of deliverables, presenting to internal and external audiences, preparing reports).
• Utilize and model effective change management strategies to achieve systems level transformation. Provide leadership and management in the communication and availability initiatives that support language equity and access.
• Participate in the development and monitoring of project budgets within the context of operational demands and environmental and resource constraints and uses best practice methods to thoroughly monitor and adhere to allocated budgets.
• Provide leadership by giving advice or guidance in situations that require interpretation and judgment, supporting change management and increased communications.
• Some travel in the province is required.

What you bring

 

Qualifications

• A level of education, training and experience equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree in Health Administration, or an applicable health discipline and a minimum of five (5) years of recent related experience in strategic systems and large-scale change work in equity and access related fields. Experience working with networks, coalitions and multi-partnered projects in a healthcare environment including a minimum of three (3) years’ experience in a progressively responsible leadership role.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the historic and ongoing impacts of settler colonialism on Indigenous Peoples in social and health contexts, including supported by significant knowledge of Indigenous-specific mandates, including clear understanding of and commitment to eradicate Indigenous-specific racism and discrimination and embed Indigenous Cultural Safety and Humility.
• Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of the historic and ongoing impacts of settler colonialism and systemic racism on Indigenous Peoples within social and health contexts. This includes understanding how these factors contribute to current health disparities and barriers to care. Show a clear commitment to identifying, challenging, and eradicating Indigenous-specific racism and all forms of discrimination impacting equity-deserving groups within health care settings. This involves familiarity and understanding Indigenous Cultural Safety and Humility recognizing personal biases, institutional barriers, engaging in anti-racism education and training and advocating for systemic change.
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of legislative obligations and provincial commitments within PHSA Corporate - Strategic Initiatives and Innovations contexts found in the foundational documents including Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight (2020), BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Reclaiming Power and Place Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls Calls for Justice (2019), the Declaration Act Action Plan and Remembering Keegan: A First Nations Case Study - BC Human Rights Code, BC Anti-racism Act and how they intersect across the health care system.

Core Competencies

• Brings an understanding of the Indigenous specific racism and the broader systemic racism that exists in the colonial health care structure, and has demonstrated leadership in breaking down barriers and ensuring an environment of belonging and Indigenous Cultural Safety.
• Knowledge of social, economic, political and historical realities of settler colonialism on Indigenous Peoples and familiarity with addressing Indigenous-specific anti-racism, anti-racism and Indigenous Cultural Safety and foundational documents and legislative commitments (the Declaration Act, the Declaration Action Plan, TRC, IPS, Remembering Keegan, etc.).

Skills & Knowledge

• Comprehensive knowledge of Indigenous cultural safety and humility within health services contexts and have completed training in Indigenous cultural safety and trauma informed practice.
• Demonstrated extensive knowledge of Canadian colonial impacts on Indigenous people in social and health contexts, supported by significant knowledge of Indigenous ways of knowing and being.
• Demonstrated extensive knowledge of social, economic, political, and historical realities impacting Indigenous communities and advanced knowledge of Indigenous Cultural Safety and anti-racism and accompanying reports (BC DRIPA, TRC, In Plain Sight etc.).
• Knowledge of relevant legislation (e.g., FIPPA, PCQRB Act, BC DRIPA).
• Knowledge and appreciation of the unique history, cultures, and rights of Indigenous Peoples in Canada; well-developed understanding of Indigenous Cultural Safety, white supremacy, and anti-Indigenous racism.
• Lived experience with Indigenous populations and demonstrated extensive knowledge of Indigenous health care needs, services, and issues as well as knowledge of culture, protocols, traditions, and ideology of Indigenous people and organizations in British Columbia.
• Awareness of and commitment to learning and understanding the Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight Report (2020), BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019) and Reclaiming Power and Place Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls calls for justice, and how they intersect across the health care system.
• Demonstrated ability to lead change, inspiring and engaging others in promoting change behaviors.
• Ability to lead, to build and maintain effective relationships.
• Demonstrated ability to develop, implement and/or evaluate health promotion, prevention, and primary care initiatives and/or programs with a focus on early years.
• Demonstrated analytic and critical thinking skills including the ability to provide information in a concise and meaningful manner.
• Demonstrated ability to establish courses of action for self and others that are result oriented.
• Demonstrated excellence in oral and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively and tactfully with individuals at all levels including the public.
• Demonstrated ability to create resources and/or knowledge translation initiatives and materials.
• Demonstrated deep understanding of their personal learning journey related to Indigenous-specific racism and dismantling systems of oppression, as well as addressing racism more broadly. Able to articulate and share this journey to motivate and inspire others.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the social, economic, political realities of settler-colonialism and impacts on Indigenous peoples in social and health contexts as well as knowledge and understanding of, and commitment to upholding legislative obligations and provincial commitments in the foundational documents: Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight (2020), BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Reclaiming Power and Place Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls Calls for Justice (2019), the Declaration Act Action Plan, Remembering Keegan: A First Nations Case Study, and the Distinctions Based Approach.

What we bring

 

Every PHSA employee enables the best possible patient care for our patients and their families. Whether you are providing direct care, conducting research, or making it possible for others to do their work, you impact the lives of British Columbians today and in the future. That’s why we’re focused on your care too – offering health, wellness, development programs to support you – at work and at home.

• Join one of BC’s largest employers with province-wide programs, services and operations – offering vast opportunities for growth, development, and recognition programs that honour the commitment and contribution of all employees.
• Access to professional development opportunities through our in-house training programs, including +2,000 courses, such as our San’yas Indigenous Cultural Safety Training course, or Core Linx for Leadership roles.
• Enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including municipal pension plan, and psychological health & safety programs and holistic wellness resources.
• Annual statutory holidays (13) with generous vacation entitlement and accruement.
• PHSA is a remote work friendly employer, welcoming flexible work options to support our people (eligibility may vary, depending on position).
• Access to WorkPerks, a premium discount program offering a wide range of local and national discounts on electronics, entertainment, dining, travel, wellness, apparel, and more.

 

Job Type: Regular, Full-Time

Salary Range: $88,990 - $127,923 /year. The starting salary for this position would be determined with consideration of the successful candidate’s relevant education and experience, and would be in alignment with the provincial compensation reference plan. Salary will be prorated accordingly for part time roles.
Location: 1795 Willingdon Ave, Burnaby, BC V5C 6E3
Closing date: Applications accepted until position is filled
Hours of Work: 0800-1600 (Monday to Friday)
Requisition #: 195693E

 

What we do

 

The Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA) plans, manages and evaluates specialized health services with the BC health authorities to provide equitable and cost-effective health care for people throughout the province. Our values reflect our commitment to excellence and include: Respect people – Be compassionate – Dare to innovate – Cultivate partnerships – Serve with purpose.

 

Learn more about PHSA and our programs: jobs.phsa.ca/programs-and-services

 

PHSA is committed to equity in our hiring and employment practices. With learning and compassion, we are addressing existing inequities and barriers throughout our systems. PHSA is seeking to create a diverse workforce and to establish an inclusive and culturally safe environment. We invite applications and enquiries from all people, particularly those belonging to the historically, systemically, and/or persistently marginalized groups identified under the B.C. Human Rights Code.

 

One of PHSA’s North Star priorities is to eradicate Indigenous-specific racism, which includes dismantling barriers to health care employment at every level. We welcome Indigenous individuals to apply and/or contact the Sanya'kula Team (Indigenous Recruitment & Employee Experience) for support at indigenous.employment@phsa.ca.

 

Indigenous-specific anti-racism initiatives are rooted in addressing the unique forms of discrimination, historical and ongoing injustices, and marginalization faced by Indigenous peoples. These initiatives align with an Indigenous rights-based approach, recognizing the inherent rights and self-determination of Indigenous communities. PHSA must uphold legislative obligations and provincial commitments found in the foundational documents such as including Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight (2020), BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Reclaiming Power and Place Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls Calls for Justice (2019), the Declaration Act Action Plan and Remembering Keegan: A First Nations Case Study.

 

Attention current employees of PHSA:

 

You must apply via your internal profile at http://internaljobs.phsa.ca.

 

The internal job posting expires on March 16, 2026 and will no longer be accessible. If the internal job posting has expired, please e-mail internaljobshelpu@phsa.ca with the six-digit job requisition number and your PHSA employee ID number to be considered as a late internal applicant. Please do not apply for the external job posting.

 

If you have not yet set up an internal profile, please e-mail internaljobshelpu@phsa.ca with your PHSA employee ID number to obtain your temporary password. Our business hours are Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:30pm, excluding Statutory Holidays and a Help Desk Representative will respond to you with 1-2 business days.

 

If you are not a current employee of PHSA and require assistance with your application, please contact the External Careers team at careers@phsa.ca.