Executive Director, Toronto Dementia Research Alliance

at  University of Toronto

Date Posted: 09/12/2024
Closing Date: 10/16/2024, 11:59PM ET
Req ID: 39685
Job Category: Faculty - Clinical
Faculty/Division: Faculty of Medicine
Department: MED: Ofc of the Dean
Hospital Affiliation: to be confirmed
Campus: St. George (Downtown Toronto)

DESCRIPTION:

The Temerty Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto invites applications for an Executive Director in the Toronto Dementia Research Alliance (TDRA). The appointment will be at the rank of Associate Professor or Professor, for a five-year term effective January 1, 2025, or shortly thereafter. This position is renewable for a second term following a favourable review. The Executive Director is accountable to the TDRA Executive Committee chaired by the Dean of the Temerty Faculty Medicine and the President/CEO of the Executive Director home institution.
Established in 2012, the Toronto Dementia Research Alliance (TDRA) (https://tdra.utoronto.ca) is a collaboration among the University of Toronto, Baycrest, the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences (Ontario Shores), Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Unity Health Toronto, and the University Health Network.
TDRA is working together to better understand, prevent, and treat dementia by creating a stronger link between basic science and clinical research, embedding research into care, improving outreach and education to the community, and increasing the efficiency of collaborative research processes across the city.

The Executive Director will lead cutting-edge research, foster collaboration across disciplines and networks, and mobilize research discoveries to transform health. The successful candidate will have the following attributes and experiences:

• World class scientist and academic in the field of cognitive impairment/dementia
• Established leadership and management track record in clinical research
• Respected opinion leader
• Strong managerial executive leadership capability, especially with respect to scientists and clinicians
• Practical knowledge and understanding of human resource management, financial planning and management including budget preparation,
• Experience and practical skills in communication, problem solving, organizational program dynamics, project management, consensus building
• Knowledge and experience in fundraising
• Values collaboration and integration among researchers and sites, has proven mentorship skills, and the capacity/credibility to lead collaborations in a multi-institutional, interdisciplinary network
• Detailed understanding of the TDRA stakeholders within and outside the Toronto Academic Health Science Network (TAHSN)

The Executive Director, assisted by the Director of Strategy and Operations, and in consultation with TDRA Executive Committee, Research Operations Committee, Clinical Table, Scientific Advisory Committee, and Lived Experience Advisory Panel, has the following accountabilities:

A. Strategic Initiatives

• Develop long-term plans and strategies that facilitate the TDRA vision, mission, research and clinical goals and objectives, establishing TDRA as a world-class academic dementia network, and ensuring its sustainability.
• Make TDRA an attractive target for the private sector and philanthropy.
• Maximize the clinical synergies and research capability of TDRA by ensuring high levels of cross institution clinical and scientific collaboration, project coordination and communications.
• Establish strong ties with the basic neuroscience programs in Toronto and abroad towards developing translational research opportunities.

B. Strategic Relationships, Fundraising and Advocacy

• Build and maintain relationships and credibility with prospective donors.
• Communicate and promote the TDRA objectives and activities to the clinical and research community, relevant government bodies, private and public sector organizations.
• Liaise with governmental and non-governmental funding agencies to advocate for dementia care and research.

C. Program Planning and Management

• Develop, implement and maintain the research goals and objectives, to ensure continual innovation, pushing the research frontiers forward.
• Provide managerial leadership, with the assistance of the executive coordinator, and help integrate the activities of clinicians and research teams in the participating hospital sites.
• Facilitate a culture of mentorship for young faculty and trainees and develop an attractive fellowship and graduate student training program that includes cross-site clinical and research activities.
• Establish communication processes and performance management to ensure goals are achieved.
• Develop a multi-year business plan that supports the vision and strategy and ensures that appropriate financial management and reporting systems are established, effective and efficient.
• Oversee the administration of revenues according to the approved budget and manage the on going cash flow of the organization.

The Executive Director will be deeply committed to implementing the principles of equity, diversity, inclusion, Indigeneity and accessibility (EDIIA) in research and access to resources and support.
Applicants must have a MD degree with certification from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada or its equivalent in any area of medicine and has expertise in dementia, Alzheimer or related field. Alternatively, applicants must have a PhD in brain health, cognitive impairment in aging or related discipline will be considered. The successful candidate currently holds a faculty position at an accredited university at the rank of Associate Professor or Professor with a demonstrated exceptional record of excellence in research and teaching.
Temerty Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto is at the centre of North America’s largest biomedical research, education and clinical care networks; spanning the basic, clinical and rehabilitation sciences the Toronto Academic Health Science Network is one of the top five clusters of academic medicine. The University of Toronto is ranked among the top five research universities in the world and first among public universities in North America (National Taiwan University); the third-most prolific institution, and second among universities, for health sciences research (NatureResearch Leaders); and ninth in the world for clinical and health (Times Higher Education).
The preferred hospital site for the Executive Director academic activities will be negotiated with the successful candidate and be at one of TDRA’s fully-affiliated sites— Baycrest, the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences (Ontario Shores), Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Unity Health Toronto, and the University Health Network.
Compensation and rank will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. This role is 2 days per week.
Interested individuals should send (1) a letter of interest briefly outlining their relevant experience and vision for the future of the TDRA, (2) a statement of contributions to EDIIA and (3) CV to
Myfanwy Marshall
Vice President, People & Experience
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
email: Myfanwy.Marshall@camh.ca
All application materials must be received by Wednesday, October 16, 2024.
Submissions will be received in confidence and made known only to the Advisory Committee for the Appointment of the Executive Director of Toronto Dementia Research Alliance, co-chaired by Dr. Lisa Robinson, Dean, Temerty Medicine and Sarah Downey, CEO, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.
All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. Any candidates outside of the Toronto area who are interested and are seeking further information around the opportunity and/or additional potential opportunities within Temerty Medicine or any of the affiliate sites, please reach out to Myfanwy Marshall at Myfanwy.Marshall@camh.ca noting TDRA in the subject line.

Please refer the Job description for details