Special Advisor, Government Relations (Health Affairs)

McGill University; Montreal (administrative region); Hybrid; CAD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading academic institution in Quebec is seeking a Special Advisor for Government Relations in Health Affairs. This role involves providing strategic counsel on health sector policies, collaboration with senior leadership, and interpreting complex health regulations to support institutional decision-making. The ideal candidate should have extensive experience in health policy, excellent communication skills in both English and French, as well as a strong analytical capacity. This position offers competitive benefits and the potential for remote work.

Benefits

Competitive benefits package

Defined contribution pension plan

Tuition waiver for employees and dependents

Up to two remote work days per week

Qualifications

• Minimum of seven years in health policy or government relations.
• Deep understanding of Quebec’s health system and governance.
• Proven ability to interpret complex policy issues.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic counsel on government relations in health.
• Advise on policies affecting medical education and public health.
• Monitor legislation and health system reforms.

Skills

Strong analytical capacity

Excellent communication skills in French

Excellent communication skills in English

Strong political judgment

Collaborative approach

Education

Graduate degree in any health-related field or Public Policy (MPP)

PhD in a relevant field

Job description

As one of Montreal's Top Employers, here is what we offer:

• Competitive benefits package (Health, Dental, Life Insurance)
• Defined contribution pension plan (with employer contribution up to 10%)
• Group Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) and Tax Free Savings Account (TFSA)
• Competitive vacation policy
• Two (2) personal days
• Two (2) floating holidays
• Nine (9) "Summer Fridays" - paid days off between the St-Jean Baptiste holiday and Labour Day
• Paid time off over the December holiday period
• Tuition waiver for regular employees and their dependents
• Up to two (2) days of remote work per week where the position permits

Position Summary:

McGill University’s academic health mission depends on strong, informed, and strategic engagement with Quebec’s health system. The Special Advisor, Government Relations (Health Affairs), plays a central role in making that possible. Reporting to the Senior Director, Government and Institutional Relations (GIR), with a dotted-line reporting relationship to the Vice-President (Health Affairs) and Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FMHS), the Special Advisor serves as the connective tissue between McGill’s government relations function and its academic health leadership. This role exists to ensure that the University advances in a unified, evidence-based, and proactive approach to the rapidly evolving health policy environment in Quebec and Canada.

This is a highly specialized advisory position that requires advanced understanding of Quebec’s health system, the policy levers that govern medical education, clinical training capacity, clinical-translational research and innovation, public health and healthcare planning, and the regulatory ecosystem surrounding the delivery of care. The successful candidate will help shape institutional strategy at the intersection of health policy and academic medicine, working closely with senior leadership across GIR, FMHS, and, when relevant, the Faculty of Dental Medicine and Oral Health Sciences. The FMHS is made up of six Schools, including Medicine, Nursing, Physical and Occupational Therapy, Communications Sciences and Disorders, Population and Global Health, and Biomedical Sciences.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Provide strategic counsel on McGill's health-sector government relations portfolio to the Senior Director, GIR and the VP-Dean of FMHS, ensuring a unified and strategic approach to health policy engagement.
• Advise senior leadership on policies affecting medical education, clinical training capacity, public health, workforce planning, and regulatory frameworks governing Quebec’s health system.
• Translate complex health policy developments into clear, actionable recommendations that support institutional decision-making at the highest levels.
• Ensure strong coordination between GIR and FMHS by facilitating consistent information flow, aligned messaging, and integrated strategy development.
• Coordinate closely with the Bureau de coopération interuniversitaire (BCI), Conférence des doyennes et doyens des facultés de médecine des universités du Québec (CDFM) and the three other Quebec universities with faculties of medicine to support unified advocacy and sector-wide alignment on provincial health policy issues.
• Monitor and interpret legislation, regulations, MSSS directives, and health system reforms, assessing their implications for McGill’s academic health mission.
• Conduct rigorous analyses and prepare concise policy briefings, impact assessments, risk evaluations, and scenario planning materials for senior leaders.
• Build and maintain constructive relationships with MSSS officials, CISSS/CIUSSS leadership, professional federations, regulatory bodies, and stakeholders shaping Quebec’s health ecosystem.
• Support the preparation of advocacy materials, policy submissions, coordinated messages, and written communications for government audiences.
• Work in close collaboration with central and faculty communications teams to ensure coherent messaging and alignment across all health-related government engagement.
• Plan, prepare, and support high-level institutional engagements, including meetings, consultations, and events involving senior government and health-sector representatives.
• Represent McGill at policy discussions, consultations, roundtables, and forums as required.
• Provide strategic guidance to the Faculty of Dental Medicine and Oral Health Sciences when legislative or regulatory developments affect dental education, clinical oral health training, or related priorities.
• Identify emerging opportunities, risks, and system pressures, ensuring McGill remains proactive, informed, and well positioned across Quebec’s health sector.

Education, Experience and Other Qualifying Skills required:

• Graduate degree in any health-related field or Public Policy (MPP) strongly preferred.
• PhD in a relevant field is considered a significant asset.
• Minimum of seven years of relevant experience in health policy, public health administration, government relations, or a comparable role within Quebec’s health ecosystem.
• Deep understanding of how Quebec’s health system is governed, including MSSS structures, CISSS/CIUSSS operations, clinical education frameworks, and regulatory requirements.
• Strong analytical capacity, with proven ability to interpret complex policy issues and translate them into clear, actionable recommendations.
• Demonstrated experience engaging with senior officials, clinicians, academic leaders, and health-system stakeholders.
• Excellent communication skills in French and English.
• Strong political judgment, discretion, and a collaborative approach suited to a role that spans multiple senior leadership teams