Vice-President, Public Policy

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

Job summary

The Canadian Medical Association seeks a seasoned senior leader to establish the strategic direction and long‑term vision for CMA’s public policy portfolio. Reporting to the Executive Vice‑President, Public Affairs, this role steers the enterprise health policy agenda to reflect strategy, emerging needs, physician and member perspectives, and opportunities to improve Canada's healthcare system.

The Vice‑President will translate research, evidence and system knowledge into credible policy

Job description

Description

Unit | Department: Public Affairs | Public Policy
Reports to: Executive Vice-President, Public Affairs
Type: Full-Time | Permanent | 1 Vacancy

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 we advance our enterprise priorities, we are strengthening our public policy leadership to develop practical, evidence-informed solutions that improve health outcomes, support physician leadership and contribute to a stronger healthcare system.

Reporting to the Executive Vice-President, Public Affairs, the Vice‑President, Public Policy will establish the strategic direction and long‑term vision for the CMA’s public policy portfolio. A senior leader within the organization, this role will steward the enterprise health policy agenda, ensure priorities reflect organizational strategy, emerging system needs, physician and member perspectives, and opportunities to improve healthcare in Canada.

The Vice‑President, Public Policy will position the policy function as a source of forward‑looking, actionable solutions to complex healthcare challenges. They will identify emerging opportunities, translate research, evidence, physician insight and system knowledge into credible policy options, and build the relationships and support needed to move ideas from consultation and organizational positioning toward influence and adoption. This role will help shape the CMA’s long‑term policy perspective on healthcare delivery, workforce sustainability, health equity, innovation, access to care, system performance and the evolving needs of physicians and patients.

Working closely with senior leaders across Public Affairs and the enterprise, the Vice‑President will connect policy development with advocacy, communications, media, engagement, research and partnership strategies. They will ensure the CMA’s policy priorities are informed by meaningful consultation and translated into clear organizational positions, compelling narratives and coordinated approaches that strengthen the CMA’s relevance, influence, member value and impact.

This Vice‑President will represent the CMA’s policy perspectives and healthcare expertise in strategic forums, policy discussions and national dialogue. They will build and sustain influential relationships with physicians, patients, governments, medical and professional organizations, health system leaders, researchers and other partners across Canada’s healthcare and public policy ecosystems - creating opportunities to convene expertise, build consensus and advance practical solutions.

This role will also provide leadership and oversight to the broader policy function, establishing priorities, performance expectations and measures of success. The Vice‑President, Public Policy will foster a high‑performing, inclusive and collaborative culture, support leadership development and succession, and ensure strong governance, responsible resource stewardship, risk management and operational performance.

The ideal candidate is a seasoned senior leader with at least a decade or more of progressive experience in health policy, healthcare strategy, health system leadership, and public policy within a healthcare environment. This is a compelling opportunity to shape the national health policy agenda of the CMA and strengthen our contribution to physicians, patients and the future of healthcare in Canada.

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.

Vice-président ou vice-présidente, Politiques publiques *cliquez sur le lien pour une description complète en français.