Director, Strategic Relations (12-Month Maternity Leave)

The Institute for Work & Health is an independent, not-for-profit research organization. Our mission is to conduct and mobilize research that supports policymakers, employers and workers in creating healthy, safe and inclusive work environments. The Institute provides practical and relevant findings and evidence-based products on the inter-relationships between work and health from worker, workplace and systems perspectives.

The Institute is currently seeking a qualified person to fill the position of Director, Strategic Relations for a 12-month maternity leave beginning January 2026.

About the position

The successful candidate will lead efforts to diversify and expand IWHs stakeholder networks and impact, in collaboration with the President of IWH and the Knowledge Transfer and Exchange and Communication teams. As part of the Executive Team, the Director, Strategic Relations contributes to organizational and strategic planning related to the Institute’s core functions. The Director, Strategic Relations reports to the President of IWH.

Core duties and responsibilities

• Identify and coordinate key interactions and partnership outreach and discussions to advance strategic directions set out in the IWH Strategic Plan, 2023-2027: Building on the past. Looking to the Future. Oversee measurement and reporting on progress towards goals set out in the plan.
• Manage and strengthen key organizational relationships including with partners in the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety System, fellow research organizations, and key collaborators.
• Oversee and provide leadership to the IWH knowledge transfer and exchange (KTE) team.
• Develop and execute strategies to showcase the impact of IWH research to stakeholder communities including within Ontario’s occupational health and safety system.
• In collaboration with the Manager, Communications, ensure that relevant IWH research is communicated to key stakeholder groups, in the right format, at the right time.
• Identify opportunities for IWH research and expertise to contribute to the development of legislation, policies, programs and resources at the provincial and federal levels and within workplaces.
• Identify and pursue emerging trends and initiatives that could impact IWH or create research or outreach opportunities relevant to the mandate of IWH.
• Provide strategic leadership and coordination for multi-stakeholder events on key work and health issues to amplify IWH’s national and international presence, broaden IWH research audiences, and develop diversity among research and stakeholder groups.
• In collaboration with the President of IWH, ensure that IWH’s Board of Directors is supported in its governance responsibilities for the organization.
• In collaboration with the Scientific Director, monitor high-quality funding opportunities relevant to IWH, identify strategic relationships with other research organizations that are relevant to the IWH Research Plan, and identify opportunities to diversify funding of IWH research beyond traditional granting agencies.
• Carry out other duties needed to help drive our vision, fulfill our mission and uphold the organization’s values.

Education and experience

• Post-graduate training in a discipline relevant to the work of IWH, and/or previous experience with stakeholder and/or government relationships in a not-for-profit and/or research setting.
• Experience and familiarity with the Ontario occupational health and safety system and key work and health issues.
• Effective leadership and project management skills to provide guidance and coaching to the KTE team in the development of partnership and knowledge transfer and exchange activities and events.
• Sound knowledge of, and experience with, board of directors’ governance activities in a not-for-profit setting.
• Strong interpersonal and communications skills to work with external stakeholders and IWH staff.
• Strong presentation/speaking skills, as well as strong writing and editing skills.
• Excellent multi-tasking and time-management skills, with the ability to set priorities and meet deadlines.

Compensation package

This is a 12-month maternity leave replacement starting in January 2026. Starting salary will depend on qualifications and experience and will be in the range of $110,000 - $135,000, plus group benefits, pension eligibility, and at least four weeks' annual vacation. Suitability for the position will be assessed at three months.

Application details

• Applicants must be able to work a minimum of 2 days per week at the IWH Office in Toronto.
• Applicants must be legally entitled to work on full-time basis for any employer in Canada.

If you are interested in this position, please submit an application that must include a cover letter and resumé in a single MS Word or PDF file and forward to:

Derek Wills

Director, Human Resources & Corporate Services

400 University Avenue, Suite 1800

Toronto, Ontario M5G 1S5

Email: careers@iwh.on.ca

Applications will be accepted until November 3, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. (EST) or until the position is filled.

IWH is committed to creating an inclusive workplace that values and promotes diversity. IWH encourages applications from racialized persons/persons of colour, Indigenous people, women, LGBTQ2S+ persons, persons with disabilities, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas.

Job applicants requiring accommodation to participate in the hiring process should contact Derek Wills at dwills@iwh.on.ca or (416) 927-2027, ext. 2115 to discuss their needs.

We thank all applicants, but only those considered for the position will be contacted.

About IWH

IWH, guided by a Board of Directors and an international Scientific Advisory Committee, conducts research that examines primary prevention and interventions in the workplace; effective and efficient rehabilitation and safe, timely return to work for people with work-related injury and illness; labour market experiences and their health consequences; and disability compensation systems and their behavioural consequences. IWH supports an active knowledge transfer and exchange program, which implements interactive strategies to transfer research findings to key decision-makers. IWH also trains and mentors the next generation of work and health researchers.

IWH is committed to excellent working conditions, a cooperative team environment for its employees, and transparent, diverse and fair recruiting practices of staff and trainees.

IWH operates with the support of the Government of Ontario.