Public Affairs Officer

Canada's Drug Agency; Ottawa; Hybrid; CAD 71,000 - 87,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

HOOPP pension plan

Health, dental, life insurance

Comprehensive benefits

Paid time off including 4 weeks

Hybrid work model

Job summary

Canada’s Drug Agency (CDA-AMC) in Ottawa/Toronto is seeking a Public Affairs Officer for the Executive Office. You will monitor government activities, draft briefing materials, coordinate media requests, and support public affairs plans.

The role requires data-driven monitoring and content development for media relations and policy communications. The position offers hybrid work (minimum 2 days onsite) with a focus on health policy in Canada, excellent writing skills, and experience with

Qualifications

• Bachelor-level education in communications, journalism, public/m media relations or related field required
• Minimum 3 years in communications, public affairs, media relations or related field
• Outstanding written, oral, and presentation skills with experience in media materials and briefing documents
• Experience supporting media relations and familiarity with the Canadian media environment
• Comfort using AI-enabled tools to support research, monitoring, planning, and content development
• Knowledge of Canadian government, public policy and political environments
• Ability to synthesize complex issues into concise communications products
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities
• High degree of discretion, professionalism and judgment

Responsibilities

• Monitor government activities and policy developments across Canada
• Conduct environmental scans and analyses to identify issues and risks
• Monitor health policy and health technology trends relevant to CDA-AMC
• Draft briefing notes, profiles and background materials
• Support media and public affairs plans with coordinating activities and maintaining workplans
• Prepare media releases, key messages, Q&A and background materials
• Develop social media content aligned with communications strategy
• Coordinate media inquiries and spokesperson preparation

Skills

Public affairs

Media relations

Written and oral communication

Story-driven content

Synthesize complex issues

Multitask / manage priorities

Discretion and professionalism

AI-enabled tools awareness

Canadian government awareness

CP Styleguide knowledge

Education

Postsecondary education in communications/journalism/public or media relations

Tools

The Canadian Press Stylebook

Job description

Closing date: November 4, 2026

Salary range: $70,890 to $86,650 per year

Canada’s Drug Agency (CDA-AMC) is a pan-Canadian health organization. We are an independent, not-for-profit organization with offices in Ottawa and Toronto. Created and funded by Canada’s federal, provincial, and territorial governments, we drive better coordination, alignment, and public value within Canada’s drug, health technology, and health systems landscape. We provide health system leaders in Canada with independent evidence and advice, empowering them to make informed decisions about drugs, health technologies, and broader health system strategies and investments, and we collaborate with national and international partners to enhance our collective impact.

Status: Full time, indefinite

Location: Ottawa, Ontario, or Toronto, Ontario (hybrid)

CDA-AMC was named 1 of the National Capital Region’s top employers for the third year in a row. This recognition celebrates our dedication to fostering a positive and inclusive work environment that nurtures growth and innovation. It reaffirms our ongoing efforts to create an outstanding workplace where our employees thrive and feel valued.

Hybrid Work Arrangement

At CDA-AMC, employees participate in a hybrid workspace arrangement that allows for flexibility and enhanced work-life balance. We believe in the positive impact of in-person collaboration and the importance of team building. This position follows a hybrid work schedule with a minimum of 2 days onsite, though this requirement may vary based on business and operational needs.

Primary Focus

We are seeking to fill a current opening on our Executive Office team. The Public Affairs Officer provides research, monitoring, coordination and content-development support for media relations and public affairs activities. Working under the direction of the Manager, the Officer monitors relevant developments, prepares draft materials using established approaches, coordinates routine media requests and supports the implementation of approved communications plans.

What do the daily responsibilities look like?

On any given day, the Public Affairs Officer will be responsible for:

Public Affairs

• monitor federal, provincial, and territorial government activities; legislative developments; policy initiatives; and other discussions relevant to Canada’s Drug Agency
• conduct environmental scans and analyses of interested parties to identify emerging issues, trends, risks, and opportunities
• monitor developments related to health technology assessment, pharmaceutical policy, drug reimbursement, health system transformation, and related policy issues
• compile research and prepare initial drafts of briefing notes, profiles and background materials for review and approval by the Manager
• support the implementation of approved media and public affairs plans by coordinating activities, maintaining workplans and preparing draft materials
• maintain awareness of priority health, political, and policy developments in jurisdictions across Canada

Media Relations

• receive and coordinate media inquiries, gather relevant information and route requests to the Manager or designated spokesperson for direction and response
• draft media releases, key messages, holding statements, Question and Answer documents, and background materials
• monitor traditional, digital and social media coverage, prepare routine summaries and flag potentially significant items for management review
• maintain media tracking systems and support reporting on media trends, opportunities, and outcomes
• research potential media opportunities and prepare supporting information for the Manager’s consideration
• coordinate spokesperson preparation and compile approved key messages, questions and answers, and background materials
• support the development of speaking materials for the executive team
• develop social media content to support the corporate communications strategy, aligned with public affairs and media relations efforts.

Is this the right role for you?

• completion of postsecondary education from a recognized academic institution in communications, journalism, public or media relations, or a related field is required; equivalent education and experience may be considered
• minimum of 3 years of experience in communications, public affairs, media relations, journalism or a related field
• outstanding written, oral, and presentation skills, with demonstrated experience developing media materials, executive briefing documents, and story-driven content
• experience supporting media relations activities and familiarity with the Canadian media environment
• comfort working with artificial intelligence (AI)–enabled tools and emerging technologies to support research, monitoring, planning, and content development
• knowledge of Canadian government, public policy, and political environments
• working knowledge of The Canadian Press Stylebook
• ability to synthesize complex issues into clear and concise communications products
• strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously
• high degree of discretion, professionalism, and judgment.

What will set you apart?

• experience in health care, health policy, public affairs, government relations, or related sectors
• familiarity with Canada’s pharmaceutical, reimbursement, health technology assessment, or broader health system environments
• fluency in French.

What’s in it for you?

• a team-focused, supportive, and inclusive work environment
• a competitive compensation package, including participation in a defined benefit pension plan with the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP)
• a comprehensive benefits package for employees and dependents, including health, dental, life, and travel insurance; spending accounts to meet your health care and individual wellness needs; and an employee assistance program
• generous paid time off (including a minimum of 4 weeks of vacation, paid sick leave and life leave, a December holiday closure, your birthday as a paid day off, and other leave options)
• flexible hours and a hybrid work model that promotes work-life balance
• opportunities to work with and learn from highly specialized professionals
• personal growth through professional development opportunities, corporate training, and support for continuing education
• a friendly culture in which community engagement is supported and people’s efforts and important milestones are recognized
• the opportunity to make a difference for people living in Canada and effect positive change.

Hiring Process

Our hiring process is designed to help us get to know you, and for you to get to know us. It includes introductory calls, a panel interview, and opportunities to showcase your skills. You’ll also have time to ask questions and explore how you can contribute to the team and organization.

All applications are reviewed by our talent acquisition professionals at CDA-AMC, with hiring decisions made collaboratively with hiring managers. We use an HR system to receive and process applications, along with automated screening questions and sorting tools to support the initial review. Artificial intelligence (AI) features may also be used to assist with interview preparation and candidate assessment. These tools are designed to support our team and do not replace human judgment. If you have any questions about how your data are used, please reach out to us at [e-mail].

At CDA-AMC, our employees share a passion for building the future of the health systems in Canada. We recognize that our employees bring diverse strengths, experiences, and backgrounds. One of our collective strengths is our culture and our commitment to creating a positive and inclusive workplace culture.

CDA-AMC is committed to inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility. We highly encourage all qualified applicants to apply, including Indigenous people, people of all places of origin and religions, people with disabilities, people who are neurodivergent, people who are racialized, women, and people from 2SLGBTQ+ communities.

If you require any accommodations, please let the Talent Acquisition team know when they contact you. We will work with you to meet your needs.

Please note that, as a condition of employment, successful candidates will be required to complete a confidential pre-employment background check, including criminal, employment, and education verifications.

Candidates must be legally eligible to work in Canada.