26-058 Director, EMS Operations

Job summary

The Director of EMS Operations provides strategic and operational leadership for ground ambulance services, overseeing frontline operations and deployment effectiveness. They are responsible for workforce performance, system integration with provincial health authorities, and managing operational budgets to ensure service sustainability.

Job details

Position Title: Director, EMS Operations Location: Acheson, Alberta Position Type: Full-Time, Permanent (Salary) Position Logistics: In Office/Hybrid Department: Operations Reports Directly To: Chief Operating Officer (COO) Salary: $135,000 - $155,000 Start Date: November 2026, or sooner if available With close to 50 years of experience in Emergency Medical Services, Associated Ambulance is proud to be the largest contracted EMS operator in Alberta. We deliver Advanced Life Support (ALS), Basic Life Support (BLS) and Inter Facility Transfer Services to 22 rural and 2 metro locations across Alberta. The Director, EMS Operations, is responsible for the strategic and operational leadership of ground ambulance services across Associated Ambulance’s service areas. Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer (COO), the Director provides oversight of frontline operations, deployment effectiveness, workforce performance, and system integration with Emergency Health Services - Alberta (EHS-AB). The role is central to advancing operational excellence, supporting workforce stability, and positioning the organization for long-term sustainability within a dynamic provincial landscape. Key Responsibilities Provide strategic leadership and oversight for daily Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and Inter-Facility Transfer (IFT) operations across multiple regions. Ensure consistent, high-quality service delivery aligned with provincial deployment models, contractual obligations, and organizational standards. Monitor operational performance through key performance indicators (KPIs) and implement continuous improvement initiatives. Lead, mentor, and support managers, supervisors, and frontline teams while fostering a culture of accountability, professionalism, and psychological safety. Address workforce planning needs, including recruitment, retention, employee engagement, and performance management. Build and maintain collaborative relationships with healthcare partners, municipalities, community stakeholders, and provincial health authorities. Represent the organization in operational committees, working groups, and stakeholder forums. Ensure compliance with all regulatory, accreditation, safety, and contractual requirements while promoting quality improvement and patient safety initiatives. Manage operational budgets, resource allocation, forecasting, and financial performance to support sustainable service delivery. Lead strategic projects, operational transformation initiatives, and the adoption of innovative technologies and data-driven decision-making practices. Qualifications & Experience Advanced Care Paramedic (ACP) or equivalent clinical background preferred. Post-secondary education in healthcare, business, leadership, or a related field. Minimum 7–10 years of progressive leadership experience in EMS or healthcare operations. Demonstrated experience managing multi-site operations in a complex, unionized environment. Strong understanding of Alberta’s EMS system, including EHS-AB structure and contractual frameworks Core Competencies Strategic Leadership: Ability to align operational execution with long-term organizational goals. Operational Excellence: Strong understanding of EHS deployment, performance metrics, and system flow. People Leadership: Proven ability to lead, engage, and develop high-performing teams. Change Management: Skilled in leading transformation in dynamic and evolving environments. Stakeholder Influence: Effective communicator with the ability to build trust across diverse partners. Financial Acumen: Experience in managing budgets and optimizing resource utilization. Decision-Making: Data-driven, decisive, and able to operate effectively under pressure. Working Conditions Regular travel between service locations. Participation in an on-call rotation to support operational needs. Ability to respond to critical incidents and system pressures as required. Why Join Associated Ambulance? Be part of a respected and growing organization serving communities across Alberta. Additional Perks Comprehensive Extended Health & Dental benefit package. Bountiful flex spending account. Employer-matched RRSP-DPSP retirement savings program Flexible working schedule Application Deadline Applications must be received by September 30, 2026 and review of initial applications will occur starting September 21, 2026. This role will remain open until a suitable candidate is found. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Resumes may be retained for future opportunities. At Associated Ambulance, we value diversity and are committed to providing equal opportunities to all qualified applicants. Join us in supporting Alberta’s rural communities by ensuring the safety and reliability of our facilities and accommodations! We are here for LIFE.

What you’ll do

The Director of EMS Operations provides strategic and operational leadership for ground ambulance services, overseeing frontline operations and deployment effectiveness. They are responsible for workforce performance, system integration with provincial health authorities, and managing operational budgets to ensure service sustainability.

Requirements

Candidates should possess 7–10 years of progressive leadership experience in EMS or healthcare operations, with a preference for an Advanced Care Paramedic (ACP) background. A post-secondary degree in healthcare, business, or leadership is required, along with experience managing multi-site operations in a unionized environment.

Benefits

• Extended Health and Dental benefit package • Flex spending account • Employer-matched RRSP-DPSP retirement savings program

Listed skills

• Clinical Operations · Preferred
• Change Management · Preferred
• Operational Excellence · Preferred
• Regulatory Compliance · Preferred
• Quality Improvement · Preferred
• People leadership · Preferred
• Decision Making · Preferred

Other relevant skills

Identified from the job description. Confirm important requirements above.

• Strategic leadership
• Operational excellence
• People leadership
• Change management
• Stakeholder influence
• Financial acumen
• Decision-making
• Emergency medical services
• Performance management
• Workforce planning
• Budget management
• Regulatory compliance
• Quality improvement
• Data-driven decision-making
• Clinical operations
• Business Metrics
• Influencing Skills
• Financial Acumen
• Operational Performance Management
• Decisiveness
• Influencing Without Authority
• Professionalism
• Accountability
• Quality Improvement
• Data-Driven Decision Making
• Advanced Life Support
• Ambulances
• Emergency Medical Services
• Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification
• Change Management
• Decision Making
• Continuous Improvement Process
• Employee Engagement
• Performance Management
• Forecasting
• Leadership
• Patient Safety
• Psychology
• Innovation
• Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
• Operational Excellence
• Operations
• Performance Metric
• Relationship Building
• Resource Allocation
• Strategic Leadership
• Workforce Planning
• Systems Integration
• Collaboration
• Environment Health And Safety

Job areas

• Management & Leadership
• Healthcare
• Logistics
• Security & Safety
• Emergency Department Medical Director
• Director of Operations
• Manufacturing Managers
• General and Operations Managers