The opportunity

They are building out its Canadian health division and is seeking a Head of Health to lead the growth and delivery of its acute healthcare portfolio. The role is based in Toronto, at the centre of the most significant hospital construction pipeline in Canadian history.

Ontario is delivering a generational programme of hospital renewal through Infrastructure Ontario, using Progressive P3 and Progressive Design-Build models. Landmark schemes such as the Peter Gilgan Mississauga Hospital, the new Ottawa Hospital campus, and SickKids Project Horizon are reshaping the market. This role carries responsibility for positioning Graham to win, mobilise and deliver work of this scale, and for building the team and client relationships that underpin a market-leading health business

Purpose of the role

To lead the strategy, growth and operational delivery of the health division in Canada. The Head of Health owns the pursuit of major acute hospital projects, leads progressive and P3 bids through to financial close, builds the delivery capability, and holds accountability for the division's performance, safety and client outcomes.

Key responsibilities

Strategy and growth

• Shape and own the health division strategy and growth plan for Canada.
• Identify and prioritise the acute hospital pipeline, and position for Progressive P3, Progressive Design-Build, DBFM and Alliance opportunities.

Business development and pursuits

• Lead major hospital pursuits end to end, from early positioning through to award.
• Build and hold senior relationships with hospital owners, provincial health authorities, Infrastructure Ontario, consortium partners, financiers and design teams.
• Direct bid strategy, win themes, pricing and negotiation through development phases to financial close.

Delivery leadership

• Hold overall accountability for safe, on-time and on-budget delivery of the health portfolio.
• Lead project directors and delivery teams, and govern risk, commercial performance and quality across all projects.

Client and stakeholder management

• Act as the senior point of contact for hospital clients and public sector owners.
• Sustain trusted relationships across the full project lifecycle, including facilities and long-term maintenance obligations under P3 agreements.

Commercial and P&L

• Own the division's financial performance, margin and growth targets.
• Govern estimating, tendering and contract negotiation on major hospital work.

People and capability

• Recruit, build and lead a high-performing health team, and mentor project leadership.
• Develop healthcare-specific expertise across clinical planning coordination, infection prevention, and the phasing of works in live hospital environments.

Governance and safety

• Champion visible health and safety leadership across the division.
• Ensure compliance with Canadian codes, CSA standards and provincial regulatory requirements.

Candidate profile

Essential

• A demonstrable track record of delivering major acute-care hospital projects at scale, individually or cumulatively in the CAD$1bn or above range.
• Senior leadership experience with a tier-one contractor, construction manager or developer, at vice president, senior vice president or divisional director level.
• Deep understanding of collaborative and progressive delivery models, including Progressive P3, Progressive Design-Build, DBFM, DBFOM and Alliance or IPD.
• Proven business development and pursuit leadership on complex, high-value healthcare projects.
• Strong existing client relationships within the healthcare or public infrastructure sector.
• Commercial and P&L leadership of a portfolio, region or division.
• A working grasp of the technical demands of hospital construction, including clinical adjacencies, services-heavy environments, infection prevention, phased delivery on live campuses, and BIM-led delivery.

Desirable

• Existing relationships with Ontario health authorities, Infrastructure Ontario or established Canadian P3 consortia.
• Experience mobilising and standing up a new regional health capability.
• Familiarity with Net Zero Carbon and electrified hospital delivery, and with modern methods of construction.

Eligibility and source markets

Candidates will be assessed on the strength of their delivery track record. Applications are welcomed from senior healthcare construction leaders in Canada and internationally, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and professionals with major hospital delivery experience in other markets. Relocation support and work authorisation will be addressed as part of the process.

6. Leadership attributes

• Market-facing and credible, able to open doors at owner and executive level.
• Comfortable leading through influence across joint ventures and consortia.
• A builder of teams and culture, not solely a technical delivery lead.
• Commercially sharp, with sound judgement on risk in a challenging bidding market.

7. Package and terms

• A total compensation package in the region of CAD$400,000, comprising base salary, performance bonus and long-term incentive, commensurate with a divisional leadership appointment.
• Relocation support available for the right candidate.

8. The search process

This search is managed exclusively by Lechley Associates on behalf of Graham Construction. All approaches, expressions of interest and applications are handled in the strictest confidence.

Scott Lechley Lechley Associates

scott@lechley.com

Prepared by Lechley Associates. Private and confidential.