Director of Care

An exciting and novel opportunity to lead the opening and manage the clinical operations of a new long-term care home - built on the principles of person-centered emotion focused living - awaits you in the residential community of Cardinal Creek in Orleans, just outside Ottawa, ON. 

Slated to open its doors in March 2026, Cardinal Creek LTC will welcome and become home to 224 residents from the neighbouring communities and the daily destination and inspiration for more than four hundred team and community members.

 

About the Role:

As the Director of Care you will role model and support a workplace where each other’s strengths are celebrated, individual aspirations are recognized and supported, and meaningful connections are made. 

We do this through meaningful interactions with Residents and Team Members - and with all those who frequent our community. The Director of Care champions this approach and leads by example while being responsible for the daily clinical operations of the home, governance of resident care, and quality of life for all. 

This role will be the one of the first to join the Cardinal Creek team and will work hand in hand with the team of LTC experts employed by Responsive Health Management, the company opening and managing the home. The Director of Care will report to the Executive Director of the home, and will be instrumental to many of the key opening initiatives and the ongoing success of the home.

 

What you will be doing:

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

 

Pre-opening

• Successfully execute the Ministry-approved occupancy plan and guide the clinical team through the pre-occupancy inspection requirements.
• Collaborate closely with the Responsive Support Office redevelopment team, and various stakeholders to coordinate the setup of the clinical programs and execute on the pre-opening plan.
• Initiate and facilitate development of strong relationships with a broad range of community and health system partners, to create a supportive eco-system for the new home.
• Lead the hire and formation of the clinical management team for the home - and instill our desired culture from the start.

 

Leadership & Strategic Planning

• Foster a supportive and responsive team environment ensuring a healthy, person-centered, emotion focused culture with a highly effective and cohesive team and  ensuring organizational goals and work requirements are consistently met.
• Collaborate with all stakeholders, the management team and Support Office team to execute the strategic priorities aligned with the home’s Vision, Mission and Values and set annual goals and objectives to achieve them.
• Communicate strategic directions clearly and concisely, driving organizational success and prioritizing resident-centered care.
• Participate in various external committees and task forces (e.g. Ontario Health/OLTCA/MLTC) influencing decision-making and policy direction related to clinical standards, new clinical programs and initiatives.

 

People Focus 

• Endorse the Butterfly Approach for persons living with dementia and an emotion based person centered culture across the entire community - championing meaningful interactions.
• Manage the care team resources , risk management, resident care, regulatory and clinical issues.

• Act as a key strategic partner to the Home, creating and maintaining internal and external community relationships, engaging stakeholders, representing and advocating in the best interest of the home, residents, staff and sector.

 

Clinical Operations 

• Maintain compliance with all applicable statutes, regulations, and government requirements through the consistent application and monitoring of policy and procedures, quality monitoring and facilitating improvement initiatives.
• Sustain high quality of care experience and outcomes through the consistent delivery of best practiced based, resident-focused programs and policies.

• Manage the home’s clinical budget, provide insights, collaborate with the leadership team to ensure accuracy and alignment with organizational goals.

 

What You Will Need to Have

• Registered Nurse in good standing with the College of Nurses of Ontario, or

Registered Nurse registered with a regulatory authority in a Canadian jurisdiction, other than Ontario, and holds in that jurisdiction the equivalent of a certificate of registration authorizing independent practice in Ontario as of right exemption Bill 60

• A minimum of 3 years experience as a LTC Director of Care
• Demonstrated experience with person centered care or emotion based care models

 

What You Will Also Have

• A minimum of 3 years experience managing in long term care experience
• Proven and excellent communication, relational and engagement skills with a broad range of internal and external stakeholders 
• Demonstrated outcomes in team building, conflict resolution and problem solving
• Competency in managing complex projects.
• Experience opening a new build/LTC home is an asset.
• French speaking is an asset.

 

What We Offer

• Competitive compensation package 
• Pre-opening milestones bonus opportunities 
• 24-hour access to our Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP)
• Wellness Program 
• Individualized professional development planning

 

What You Need to Know

If you are interested in being the first to join the Cardinal Creek team, please send your cover letter and resume through our applicant tracking system to the attention of Shannon Holden, Vice President, Health Human Resources by May 6,2025.

We look forward to speaking with you and although we appreciate all applicants' interest, only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.

We strive to be diverse, inclusive, fair, equitable and accessible by addressing barriers and promoting dignity and respect for all. If you require accommodation at any time during the recruitment process, please contact the hiring manager.