Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre is a nationally leading and internationally-recognized academic health care centre based at several sites in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). Our team delivers expert, compassionate care to patients from across Ontario; wide ranging and sometimes unique education to thousands of learners each year; and research and implementation of innovations that invent the future of health care. Since our first patient in 1946, Sunnybrook has evolved and expanded to become a network of integrated sites and campuses representing the full continuum of care including pre-hospital, acute, and post-acute and key specialty services for Ontario.
Sunnybrook is embarking on a multi-year digital, clinical transformation project to implement a new health information system (HIS) across all campuses and satellite sites, through Project REACH. The project is a pillar of enabling exemplary patient experience and quality of care and therefore this is not solely an information technology initiative, but one founded in clinical transformation and care redesign. Led by the Clinical Informatics Team, Project REACH will strive to enhance patient care, streamline clinical workflows and support our clinicians.
Reporting to the Project Director of Training, Conversion & Go-Live, the Manager, HIS Conversion & Go-Live is a senior operational leadership role responsible for developing and executing the cutover and go-live plan for the transition to the new Health Information System.
This role owns the cutover and go-live strategy from end to end — encompassing cutover planning and sequencing, site readiness, and go-live command center operations — working across clinical, operational, technical, and vendor teams to ensure every site activates safely and with confidence. In collaboration with the HIS vendor, project leadership, and change management, this manager will also oversee the development of the go-live schedule, logistics, and support assignments for End Users, Super Users, and At-The-Elbow (ATE) resources.
The ideal candidate brings deep, hands-on experience in HIS implementations and multi-site healthcare transitions, paired with the leadership presence to guide diverse teams under pressure, resolve issues decisively, and sustain the trust of clinical and operational stakeholders at every phase of one of healthcare's most complex transitions.
- Develop, maintain and execute a comprehensive cutover checklist and plan across all Sunnybrook campuses.
- Align cutover and technical schedules with clinical operational business objectives.
- Define cutover sequencing, downtime windows, data migration checkpoints, and go/no-go decision frameworks in collaboration with technical and clinical leads.
- Build and maintain comprehensive cutover runbooks that define task-level sequencing, accountabilities, timing tolerances, and contingency protocols for every phase of the conversion — from pre-cutover freeze through system stabilization.
- Develop contingency plans and ensure escalation pathways are clearly defined and communicated across all teams.
- Identify and manage cutover risks – including cross-application dependencies and downstream impacts and develop timely mitigation plans.
- Maintain a master cutover issues and risks register; lead weekly cutover readiness reviews with workstream leads in the lead-up to Go-Live.
- Resolve discrepancies and process issues as they arise throughout the cutover period.
- Lead and facilitate cutover dress rehearsal exercises, including scenario design, participant preparation, real-time coordination, and structured debrief.
- Capture lessons learned from each rehearsal cycle and translate findings directly into runbook revisions, staffing adjustments, and updated contingency protocols.
- Use rehearsal data to validate task timing estimates, stress-test escalation pathways, and confirm Command Center coordination effectiveness.
- Partner with the Training team to align dress rehearsal scheduling with Super User readiness and at-the-elbow (ATE) support deployment plans.
- Coordinate physician participation in dress rehearsals and simulation exercises, working with department leads to maximize engagement while respecting clinical scheduling realities.
- Plan and allocate human and physical resources for cutover and go-live activities in collaboration with project leadership.
- Design and implement a multi-audience clinical cutover readiness framework that tracks preparedness across staffing groups – at the department and site level.
- Serve as a dedicated point of coordination for physician readiness during the cutover period, working in close partnership with Physician Informatic Leads and Subject Matter Experts, to ensure physician-facing workflows are validated, communicated, and supported through transition.
- Liaise directly with unit managers, charge nurses, department leads, and clinical informatics to resolve conversion-related barriers as they emerge during the live window.
Go-Live Operations
- Develop and execute a go-live schedule in collaboration with the HIS vendor, project leadership and change management
- Direct the go-live team toward project goals, evaluating performance, providing feedback, and supporting team morale throughout activation.
- Lead command centre orientation sessions.
- Manage command centre workflows – assigning tasks, triaging and escalating issues, and reporting risks and status updates to program leadership.
- Manage at-the-elbow (ATE) support deployment in coordination with the Training and Super User teams.
- Identify and resolve end-user issues in real time.
- Partner with the vendor’s Adoption Coach to coordinate go-live assignments and align support strategies.
- Lead structured end-of-day debriefs during the Go-Live window and prepare daily stabilization reports for project leadership and executive sponsors
- Work with Corporate Communications to develop and distribute go-live requirements and schedules to staff, in accordance with the HIS Communications Strategy.
- Working knowledge of HIS cutover and go-live methodologies, clinical workflows across care settings, and hospital downtime and contingency procedures.
- Ability to build and manage complex cutover plans, identify and mitigate risks, resolve cross-application dependencies, and make sound decisions in real time.
- Proven ability to direct, motivate, and sustain high-performing multi-disciplinary teams through extended, high-pressure activation periods.
- Experience coordinating go-live support and assignments while maintaining accountability and alignment with organizational goals.
- Bachelors Degree in Health Informatics, Computer Science, Business Administration, or a related field; an equivalent of education and experience will be considered.
- Project Management Professional (PMP) designation is an asset.
- Minimum 5-7 years of progressive project management experience leading complex, large-scale clinical and non-clinical projects in a healthcare environment.
- Demonstrated experience leading cutover and go-live activities for a multi-site HIS or clinical system implementation.
- Direct experience authoring or managing clinical cutover runbooks, downtime protocols, or go/no-go decision frameworks.
- Oracle Health (Cerner Millennium) implementation experience in a multi-site setting is strongly preferred.
- In-depth understanding of clinical and operational workflows, with the ability to develop and execute practical cutover documentation and plans.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Proven ability to lead and influence across clinical, operational, IT, and vendor teams without direct authority.
- Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage effectively with diverse audiences from frontline staff to senior leadership.
- Demonstrated ability to build confidence, credibility, and cooperation with internal and external stakeholders.
- Willingness and ability to work on-site across all Project REACH locations as operationally required.
