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Vice-President, Public & Professional Affairs

Department: Public & Professional Affairs

Reports to: Chief Executive Officer

The Canadian Pharmacists Association (CPhA) is Canada’s national voice and advocate for Pharmacists and we’re actively recruiting for our next Vice-President, Public & Professional Affairs (VP, P&PA).

We are a fully remote workforce and are looking for someone who is able to be fully productive, efficient and effective in a remote environment.

Job Summary

The VP, P&PA is responsible for how CPhA is seen, heard, and understood across Canada’s pharmacy community and beyond. This role leads CPhA’s work in external communications, government relations, public policy and professional affairs — including continuing professional development (CPD) and practice tools.

Working closely with a small, highly engaged team, the VP, P&PA collaborates with Organizational Members, the Pharmacy Network, and the National Pharmacy Business Council (NPBC) to build alignment and momentum on shared priorities. The VP, P&PA is a strong communicator and advisor who can navigate complex issues, set clear priorities, and move initiatives forward in a practical, results-focused way.

Duties and Tasks

The Vice-President, Public & Professional Affairs is responsible for, but not limited to the following duties and tasks:

1) Reputation & External Communications

  • Oversee a communications strategy that builds public trust in pharmacists and raise the profession’s profile across earned, owned, and social media.
  • Act as a spokesperson and provide hands-on leadership in media relations, issues management, and crisis response.
  • Ensure a clear, consistent voice across public statements, campaigns, and digital content, aligned with CPhA’s advocacy goals.
  • Work closely with marketing and digital product teams to improve reach and engagement.

2) Government Relations & Public Policy

  • Lead CPhA’s federal government relations strategy advancing priorities such as primary care integration, workforce and drug access.
  • Oversee policy development and consultations, ensuring submissions and testimony are clear, credible, and timely.
  • Plan and deliver advocacy campaigns and stakeholder outreach to influence policy and regulatory decisions.
  • Provide practical advice to the CEO and Board on political risks, opportunities, and emerging issues.

3) Professional Affairs, CPD & Practice Tools

  • Provide leadership and direction to the Professional Affairs team responsible for CPD programs, national webinars, and practice resources.
  • Ensure tools and resources are current, evidence-based, and responsive to provincial and territorial regulatory changes.
  • Connect practice development work with advocacy and policy efforts to present a clear, unified value proposition for the profession.

4) Stakeholder Engagement

  • Build strong, trusted relationships across the pharmacy ecosystem, including Organizational Members, NPBC, regulators, and industry partners.
  • Convene leaders through forums and working groups and translate diverse perspectives into clear priorities and action plans.
  • Support Organizational Member and NPBC governance by ensuring agendas, discussions, and outcomes are aligned with CPhA’s strategic direction.

5) Team Leadership

  • Lead a small, high-performing team; set clear goals, coach leaders, manage budgets, and foster collaboration and inclusion.
  • Track performance across communications, policy, and professional affairs, using data and judgment to prioritize limited resources.
  • Oversee reputational and policy risk management and ensure readiness for high-profile or sensitive issues.

Qualifications

Education

Graduate degree or equivalent professional qualification in a relevant field (e.g., public policy, communications, health administration, pharmacy).

Experience

  • 10+ years in senior roles spanning government relations or public policy, strategic communications, and professional or association-based work in healthcare.
  • Experience leading small teams and managing multiple priorities in resource-constrained environments.
  • Media relations and spokesperson experience.

Skills

  • Advocacy campaign design and delivery
  • Policy development and consultation
  • Oversight of CPD programs and professional practice tools
  • Working with Boards and multi-stakeholder committees
  • Strong understanding of Canada’s health system, pharmacy regulation, and federal–provincial dynamics; comfort managing budgets and external vendors in a not-for-profit setting.
  • Fluently bilingual in English/French speaking would be an asset.
  • Ability to display a commitment to and advocate for diversity and inclusion

Core Competencies

  • Clear Communication: Writes and speaks with clarity; comfortable in media and professional environments.
  • Policy & Government Relations: Strong analytical skills; effective coalition-builder and advocate.
  • Practice Leadership: Understanding of pharmacists’ scope of practice, CPD needs, and on-the-ground realities.
  • Stakeholder Management: Builds trust, manages competing interests, and delivers shared outcomes.
  • Judgment & Prioritization: Quickly synthesizes complex information and focuses effort where it matters most.
  • People Leadership: Develops leaders, sets clear expectations, and fosters a collaborative, high-performing culture.

Salary Range

$160,000 - $200,000

Why CPhA

  • The work we do makes a difference in people’s lives.
  • We’re a group of people who are passionate about the health and well-being of all. We take our work seriously, but we still take time to share a good laugh.
  • We care about your health and well-being. CPhA pays for your medical/dental benefits, Employee Assistance Plan and provides regular wellness sessions and resources.
  • We care about your financial health. CPhA provides a pension plan with matching contributions and access to a financial advisor.
  • We care about your work-life balance. CPhA offers generous paid time off and our office is closed between Christmas and New Years.

How to Apply

  • If you would like to be considered for this opportunity, we invite you to present your resume along with cover letter, in confidence, to careers@pharmacists.ca. Only those selected for interviews will be contacted.
  • If you require an accommodation at any stage of the recruitment process, please inform Human Resources.
  • While we appreciate all interested applicants, only those individuals who are legally permitted to work in Canada will be considered.
  • At the Canadian Pharmacists Association, we recognize, value and celebrate diversity, inclusion and equity. Our Diversity & Inclusion Framework is embedded in all our processes, policies and employee initiatives.
  • The Canadian Pharmacists Association does not utilize Artificial Intelligence at any stage of the recruitment process.