Data Policy & Enablement Director

Contract (12 months), Hybrid

OntarioMD (OMD) is seeking a senior leader to provide strategic leadership at the intersection of primary care data, responsible artificial intelligence (AI), privacy, policy, and innovation. This role will advance OMD’s system leadership in the responsible use of AI enabled technologies and primary care data, ensuring alignment with legislative requirements, privacy best practices, physician liability considerations.

The Director will support both policy development, data use planning and OMD’s innovation program, working closely with senior executives and external system partners to develop frameworks, principles, and practical guidance that enable innovation while maintaining trust, compliance, and professional accountability. This role is a strategic, system-level role as well as internal operations role with no direct reports.  With the General Counsel & CPO, leads governance and responsible adoption of primary care data and AI.

Reporting to the General Counsel & Chief Privacy Officer, the primary focus of this role is policy development with respect to data stewardship & AI governance, with supporting responsibilities in data strategy and organizational enablement. This role will focus on the following key responsibilities:

1. Responsible AI Leadership, Policy, and System Engagement

• Provide leadership in advancing the responsible use of AI enabled technologies in healthcare, with a focus on legislative compliance, privacy best practices, ethical considerations, and physician liability.
• Work on development and management of OMD’s program for the responsible use of AI, including: 
  • Establishing organizational principles, frameworks, and guardrails to guide OMD’s internal work and external system leadership.
  • Ensuring alignment between policy, innovation, and operational practice as AI enabled solutions are explored or adopted.
• Serve as a senior liaison and trusted partner with key system stakeholders, including the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario, the Ministry of Health, Ontario Health, and the Ontario Medical Association.
• Monitor, interpret, and advise on emerging legislation, policy, and regulatory developments related to AI, data governance, and digital health, translating implications into actionable organizational guidance.

2. Guidance for AI Enabled Technology and Vendor Engagement

• Develop organizational guidance and frameworks for constructively working with AI enabled technology vendors, including expectations related to data governance, privacy, transparency, risk management, and accountability.
• Support OMD’s innovation program by ensuring responsible data and AI practices are embedded in innovation initiatives from early design through implementation.
• Provide expert advice to senior leaders on assessing risks and opportunities associated with AI enabled technologies.

3. Physician Focused Education and Enablement

• Collaborate with other OMD staff on the development of guidance, tools, and educational materials to inform and support physicians in the responsible use of data with AI enabled technologies.
• Ensure materials are practical, clear, and aligned with regulatory expectations, privacy obligations, and professional standards.

4. Data Planning

• Support data-related initiatives that respond to physician and practice‑level uses that inform care delivery, quality improvement, and operational insight.
• Contribute to organizational thinking on the use and management of data in support of OntarioMD priorities and system partnerships.
• Assist in identifying and documenting considerations related to governance, roles, and responsibilities for the appropriate use of primary care data across different stakeholders.

5. Internal AI Frameworks and Organizational Capacity

• Support the development and application of internal AI frameworks and use cases in collaboration with senior executives.
• Advise on responsible AI adoption across OMD’s internal operations, ensuring consistency with organizational principles, privacy obligations, and system leadership expectations.
• Work closely with senior executives to build organizational capacity through frameworks, guidance, and stakeholder alignment in data strategy, AI governance, and responsible innovation. 

Requirements that are important to us:

• Postsecondary education in a healthcare related field.
• At least ten (10) years in health data stewardship, and/or digital health experience working in complex policy and regulatory environments involving multiple stakeholders.
• At least five (5) years professional experience providing leadership at a provincial or system level in data, AI, privacy, or digital health initiatives.
• Demonstrated experience with privacy legislation, data governance, and governmental practices within the Ontario health system.
• Strong knowledge of AI and data use in healthcare, including governance, risk, ethical considerations, and system implications.
• Ability to translate complex policy, legal, and technical issues into clear, practical guidance for physicians, executives, and system partners.
• Experience working with healthcare regulators, ministries, or professional associations is preferred.
• Background in digital health innovation, health information management, and/or health system transformation is preferred.
• Deep understanding of healthcare privacy frameworks (e.g, PHIPA) and data governance principles is preferred. 

What we offer:

Base salary range of $120,000 - $150,000 annually; final compensation offered will be determined based on experience, skill set, education, training, and internal equity.

• Fun, friendly, and dynamic work environment with a passion for digital health.
• Hybrid working model.
• Fantastic opportunity to grow within the team and throughout the organization.
• An organization recognized as one of the Best Places to Work in Canada for 2025 by HRD Canada.