Manager, Health System Data and Research - Association of Family Health Teams of Ontario (Toronto)

Job Description

At AFHTO, we offer a flexible hybrid work environment, allowing you to work from anywhere across Ontario. While there’s freedom in how many days you spend in the office each month, we do have an expectation that team members will be in-person at various times throughout the month. This includes attending collaborative team meetings, external events, and quarterly board or committee sessions. Our office is located in downtown Toronto, so you’ll have the opportunity to connect with the team and engage in key in-person activities, all while enjoying the flexibility to work remotely.

Join the AFHTO Team:

Are you passionate about making a meaningful impact in healthcare? Join our dynamic team at AFHTO, a forward-thinking, not-for-profit, member-based organization dedicated to improving primary care across Ontario.

We’re looking for driven, innovative individuals who are eager to contribute to a cause that truly matters—ensuring that all Ontarians have access to high-quality, equitable and team-base primary care. At AFHTO you’ll collaborate with a diverse group of passionate professionals, expand your skills, and play a key role in shaping the future of healthcare in the province. If you're ready to be part of a mission that makes a real difference, we want to hear from you!

About Us

The Association of Family Health Teams of Ontario (AFHTO) works to support the implementation and growth of primary care teams by promoting best practices, sharing lessons learned, and advocating on behalf of all primary care teams. Evidence and experience show that team-based comprehensive primary care is delivering better health and better value to patients.

AFHTO is a not-for-profit association representing over 190 of Ontario’s primary health care teams that serve 3.5 million Ontarians, which include Family Health Teams (FHTs), Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinics (NPLCs) and other teams that provide interprofessional comprehensive primary care.

Position Overview

The Manager of Health System Data and Research will be responsible for leading the collection, analysis, and interpretation of healthcare data to support the organization’s research, advocacy, strategic planning, and programmatic initiatives. This role will focus on enhancing the organization’s data-driven insights, providing actionable recommendations, and helping to shape evidence-based approaches to improve primary care delivery with a strong emphasis on reporting to Ontario Health and Ministry of Health on behalf of AFHTO members. The Manager will work closely with internal teams, member organizations, and external partners to ensure that the data and research efforts align with the organization's mission and strategic objectives.

Key Responsibilities

Member Empowerment and Program Execution

• Work closely with member organizations to understand their available data, data needs, providing them with customized insights and support for data-driven decision-making including framing proposals, reports and policy asks to inform government priorities and actions.
• Develop training and support materials to help members effectively use data tools, interpret research findings, and integrate evidence-based practices into their operations.
• Serve as a resource to members on data-related questions, including data interpretation, quality improvement initiatives, and best practices for utilizing healthcare data.
• Support the development of member-driven initiatives that leverage data to improve primary care outcomes and efficiency.

Data Collection, Analysis and Quality Improvement

• Lead the collection, management, and analysis of health system data to support the organization’s programs, research activities, and continuous quality improvement (CQI) initiatives with member organizations.
• Work closely with internal and member organizations to identify opportunities for improving the quality of care through data-driven insights, establishing quality benchmarks and performance metrics for primary care providers.
• Design and implement data collection methodologies, including surveys, databases, and other tools, to ensure high-quality and reliable data.
• Analyze healthcare utilization, patient outcomes, quality metrics, and other relevant data to identify trends, gaps, and opportunities for improvement in primary care delivery.
• Develop and maintain dashboards, reports, and other data visualization tools to present findings clearly and effectively to stakeholders.
• Ensure data integrity and compliance with privacy regulations (e.g., HIPAA) when handling sensitive health information.

Research, Evaluation and Change Management

• Ensure research and evaluation AFHTO leads or participates in is centered in the primary care context and perspective as well as aligns to the values of AFHTO members.
• Lead or support applied research projects to evaluate the impact of primary care programs and initiatives, including both internal and external research collaborations.
• Contribute to and/or develop research methodologies, including study design, data analysis plans, and literature reviews, to guide evidence-based decisions in primary care practice.
• Collaborate with external academic, clinical, and research organizations to identify new research opportunities and ensure that research findings are disseminated effectively.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to design and implement interventions that promote system-wide changes in how care is delivered, improving clinical outcomes, efficiency, and patient-centeredness.
• Support organizational/member change initiatives by leveraging data and research to inform decision-making, address resistance to change, and measure the impact of changes on health system performance.
• Produce written reports, research briefs, and presentations summarizing research findings, data insights, and program evaluations for internal and external stakeholders.
• Use research findings to inform policy development, program improvement, and strategic initiatives.

Reporting and Communication

• Prepare and deliver regular reports to the Director of Strategy and Programs and other senior leadership, detailing key data findings, trends, and opportunities for program development.
• Present research findings and data insights at meetings, conferences, and member forums, ensuring that data-driven recommendations are communicated clearly and effectively.
• Collaborate with communications and advocacy teams to translate complex data and research findings into accessible formats for a wider audience, including policymakers, funders, and the public.

Program Support and Continuous Improvement

• Assist in the development and execution of program evaluations, focusing on identifying opportunities to integrate quality improvement principles into day-to-day operations and ensuring that changes lead to meaningful and measurable results.
• Utilize data to drive continuous improvement in member engagement, program delivery, and healthcare outcomes.
• Assist in the development and monitoring of key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the success of programs and guide decision-making.

Business Development and Grant Support

• Assist in the development of data-driven proposals for funding, grants, and partnerships, including identifying key metrics and research outcomes that align with potential funding opportunities.
• Contribute to grant writing and reporting processes by providing data and research insights to strengthen applications and demonstrate impact.

Qualifications

Diverse Educational and Training Backgrounds Welcome

• Given the technical nature of this role, a Master’s degree in health services research, psychology, public health, health informatics, healthcare administration, quality improvement or a related field is preferred.
• We do value a wide range of educational and professional experiences, and are open to candidates with varied academic backgrounds, certifications, or training. What matters most is your passion, skills, and ability to contribute to our mission.

Experience

• Minimum of 3 years of experience in health data analysis, research, or related roles within the healthcare sector.
• Strong background in healthcare data management, statistical analysis, and research methodologies.
• Familiarity with healthcare data systems (e.g., Electronic Health Records (EHR), claims data) and data analysis tools (e.g., Excel, R, SAS, Tableau, SQL).
• Experience working in primary care or a nonprofit healthcare environment is a plus.
• Knowledge of healthcare policy, quality improvement frameworks, and population health is preferred.

Skills

• Proficient in building and maintaining positive working relationships with internal teams, external partners, and community groups, utilizing data insights to promote consensus, shared goals, and collective action for impactful outcomes.
• Strong quantitative and qualitative data analysis skills, with the ability to translate complex data into actionable insights.
• Proficient in statistical analysis software and data visualization tools (e.g., Excel, SPSS, R, Tableau).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present complex data and research findings to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Strong project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines.
• Attention to detail, with a commitment to data accuracy and integrity.

Compensation

Competitive salary based on experience. We offer a comprehensive benefits package to keep you well-supported both inside and outside of work. You’ll have access to the HOOP Pension Plan, a solid medical and dental benefits plan, and three weeks of vacation to recharge. Plus, we close the office for the winter holidays so you can truly unwind. Enjoy a flexible hybrid work arrangement that lets you balance your professional and personal life. Join us, and you’ll be doing important work that benefits all Ontarians, while collaborating with an amazing team that’s driving real change and making a lasting impact!