Academic Development Lead

Job Description:

The Academic Development Lead will be responsible for guiding and supporting RVH’s transition into an academic health sciences centre. This role will encompass developing and cultivating partnerships with academic institutions, including medical schools and other clinical training bodies, to enhance RVH’s educational and research capacities. Key responsibilities include connecting internal RVH education programs (Medical Education and Professional Practice) to develop a joint academic vision, facilitating the expansion of medical and interdisciplinary clinical training programs, developing strategic frameworks for academic growth, and coordinating educational initiatives that align with RVH’s long-term vision.

The Academic Development Lead will serve as the primary liaison between RVH and its academic partners, ensuring alignment on educational and research objectives. This includes supporting the development of core rotations, residency programs, and training opportunities that meet accreditation standards and enhance RVH’s reputation as a teaching and research institution.

The Academic Development Lead will work closely with the Director, Academic and Medical Affairs, the Operations Director, Professional Practice, IPAC Allied Health Services, Northern Central Region IPAC Hub Lead and the Manager, Medical Education, the Medical Director, Education, as well as the Senior Leadership Team, to integrate academic strategies into RVH’s broader organizational goals. This role will also contribute to policy development, program evaluation, and strategic planning to foster a culture of academic excellence at RVH.

In addition, the Academic Development Lead will stay informed about academic trends, legislative requirements, and best practices to provide strategic leadership in planning, implementing, and sustaining academic initiatives that drive RVH’s growth as a leading academic health sciences centre.

Responsibilities:

Academic Program Development and Coordination:

Enhance the collaboration, engagement, and coordination between the various education programs at RVH, including Medical Education, Professional Practice, Simulation, Organizational Development, and other non-clinical teaching programs, in order to align academic strategies with RVH’s strategic plan and objectives.
Develop strategic frameworks and actionable plans to expand educational programs and integrate academic initiatives within the RVH ecosystem.
Create capacity reports and detailed clinical operations analyses to assess the impact of expanding educational rotations and placements, ensuring minimal disruption to clinical operations and capacity.
Serve as a key advisor in the design and execution of academic curricula, ensuring compliance with accreditation standards and alignment with partner institutions.
Partnership Development and Engagement:

Cultivate and maintain strong partnerships with academic institutions, including medical schools, post-secondary institutions, and clinical training bodies, to facilitate collaboration on educational initiatives.
Act as a liaison for academic partnerships, helping to coordinate RVH stakeholders in negotiations and collaborations to expand academic opportunities and enhance research capacities.
Work closely with academic partners to identify opportunities for joint programs, research projects, and knowledge-sharing initiatives.
Foster relationships with external stakeholders to strengthen RVH’s academic profile and integrate new educational strategies into clinical practice.
Build and strengthen partnerships with community organizations and other regional hospitals to develop new collaborative educational efforts and strengthen existing partnerships
Program Implementation and Oversight:

Oversee the implementation of academic programs, ensuring that resources, timelines, and objectives are effectively managed, that support RVH’s strategic mission.
Monitor program outcomes and provide regular reports to the Senior Leadership team, identifying areas for enhancement and aligning efforts with RVH’s broader goals.
Develop and execute engagement and performance management frameworks for academic faculty and trainees.
Monitor and coordinate external accreditation efforts, ensuring that RVH’s education programs adhere to external accreditation standards
Collaborate with internal departments to integrate academic activities seamlessly into RVH operations.
Interdepartmental Collaboration and Leadership:

Work in close collaboration with the Director, Academic and Medical Affairs, the Operations Director, Professional Practice, IPAC Allied Health Services, the Medical Director, Education, and other leaders to synchronize academic initiatives with clinical workflows and staff development.
Support the Manager, Medical Education, in aligning academic initiatives with the Simulation Program to ensure that clinical excellence and patient care quality remain an organizational priority.
Qualifications:

Education:

Undergraduate degree: Law, Business Administration, Health Administration or relevant Health Sciences field.
Experience:

Minimum 5 years’ experience working in a hospital or academic setting, including legal, human resources, legislation compliance and/or partnership management, mandatory;
Minimum 3 years of experience in strategic planning and implementation, specifically within educational or healthcare settings, mandatory
Minimum 3 years of project management experience, or equivalent experience developing and implementing initiatives;
Proven expertise in fostering and developing collaborative partnerships with internal and external stakeholders, including engagement and relationship management, essential; and
Demonstrated ability to navigate and integrate academic frameworks, policies, and compliance requirements, particularly those related to medical education and training, preferred.
Competencies:

Strong strategic thinking and analytical skills, with the ability to assess complex academic and healthcare integration needs;
Exceptional written communication skills, with a focus on preparing reports, proposals, and documentation for diverse audiences;
Advanced presentation and facilitation skills, including the ability to deliver compelling presentations to executive and academic stakeholders;
Expertise in relationship management, with proven ability to build and maintain partnerships across academic, clinical, and administrative sectors;
Strong understanding of academic program structures, accreditation standards, and compliance requirements within a healthcare setting;
Proficiency in project management, including the ability to prioritize, plan, and execute multiple initiatives simultaneously;
Demonstrated adaptability and resilience in navigating change and driving transformation in evolving academic or healthcare environments;
Strong negotiation and conflict resolution skills, particularly in balancing organizational and academic objectives;
High degree of organizational acumen, with forward-thinking skills in aligning academic goals with institutional strategies; and/or
Capacity for independent initiative, with a proactive approach to identifying opportunities and addressing challenges in the transition to an academic health sciences model. Read more