Vice-President, Communications

Canadian Medical Association; Ottawa, Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Canadian Medical Association in Ottawa, Ontario, seeks a strategic, senior communications leader to set the direction for CMA’s communications and marketing. Reporting to the Executive Vice-President, Public Affairs, the Vice-President, Communications will craft integrated campaigns that advance advocacy, policy, membership goals and public trust.

You will lead brand stewardship, audience engagement, media relations and digital storytelling across channels, building a high-performing team and

Job description

Unit | Department: Public Affairs | Communications
Reports to: Executive Vice-President, Public Affairs
Type: Full-Time | Permanent | 1 Vacancy (with multiple location options)

As one of the country’s most influential national health organizations, the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) plays a central role in shaping the future of healthcare in Canada. The CMA unites physicians across the country, advocates for system transformation and champions the public interest. As the CMA advances its enterprise priorities, we are strengthening our communications and marketing capabilities to deepen engagement, demonstrate member value and reinforce trust in us a national healthcare leader.

Reporting to the Executive Vice-President, Public Affairs, the Vice-President, Communications establishes the strategic direction, priorities and long-term vision for the CMA’s communications function. A senior leader within the organization, this role will develop and steward integrated communications and marketing strategies that advance enterprise priorities, advocacy and public policy objectives, membership goals, organizational reputation and public trust.

This Vice-President will lead the evolution and stewardship of the CMA enterprise brand, organizational narrative and value proposition. They provide strategic leadership for creative, audience-focused campaigns that bring together communications, marketing, storytelling, content, digital, social, media, events and other channels to strengthen physician engagement, membership acquisition and retention, and organizational impact.

The Vice-President, Communications will provide counsel on communications strategy, executive communications, public positioning, reputation and emerging issues. They will establish frameworks for issues management, crisis communications and reputational risk, and guide executive messaging, thought leadership, speeches, presentations and coordinated responses to complex or high-profile matters.

Working closely with Public Affairs and enterprise leaders, this Vice-President will ensure communications strategies amplify the organization’s advocacy, policy, membership and thought leadership priorities. They will provide strategic oversight of media relations, digital and internal communications, social media, content strategy and audience engagement, while cultivating strong relationships with physician leaders, healthcare organizations, partners, creative agencies, media organizations and other influential audiences.

The Vice-President, Communications will lead and develop a high-performing, inclusive and collaborative communications team. They will establish priorities, performance expectations and resource plans, and oversee major communications and marketing investments, external agencies, creative partners and service providers. Through directors and specialized teams, they will foster excellence in storytelling, creative development, integrated planning, audience engagement and continuous improvement.

The ideal candidate is a seasoned communications executive with at least a decade or more of senior leadership experience in communications, corporate or public affairs, media relations, reputation management, and/or public relations. This is a compelling opportunity to shape the voice, reputation and audience experience of the CMA, and strengthen our relevance and impact with physicians, partners and the public.

The CMA and the CMA Group of Companies (CMA Foundation and CMA Impact) are committed to accommodating employees with disabilities, accessibility needs, and other protected human rights characteristics, to the point of undue hardship. Any candidate requiring accommodation is encouraged to make their needs known.

Reconciliation, equity, diversity, and inclusion are key priorities, and the CMA enterprise actively strives to build a culture where all employees can be their authentic selves and are valued for their diverse personal experiences and perspectives. We welcome and encourage candidates from diverse backgrounds and a variety of lived experiences to apply.