HealthCareCAN is the national voice of healthcare organizations and hospitals across Canada, delivering high-quality products and services to members in support of health system innovation and transformation.

Job title	External Relations Specialist
Reports to	Vice-President, Research and Policy

Job Purpose

A member of HealthCareCAN’s Research and Policy team, the External Relations Specialist promotes the organization’s vision, mission, values and goals and contributes to the operations of HealthCareCAN in accordance with the organization’s strategic directions. Reporting to the Vice-President, Research and Policy, the External Relations Specialist works in partnership with HealthCareCAN staff, members, government representatives and key stakeholders by:

1. Supporting the engagement with the federal government on key member priorities including health research, health innovation, health infrastructure and health workforce;
2. Advancing knowledge and member value by convening and coordinating with key health stakeholders and partners; and,
3. Working with colleagues to advance our organizational objectives.

Responsibilities include analyzing and evaluating government policy and reports; monitoring trends and issues; preparing, reviewing and revising HealthCareCAN policy positions; liaising with members of parliament, government officials, key stakeholders and HealthCareCAN members, managing projects; and providing advice and information to the Vice-President, Research and Policy and the President and CEO.

Duties and Responsibilities

Based in Ottawa, the External Relations Specialist supports HealthCareCAN’s efforts to engage the federal government  and promotes HealthCareCAN’s positions at the national level in the following ways:

• Prepares reports and presentations to Government, the House of Commons and Senate committees in consultation with the Vice-President, Research and Policy. Position HealthCareCAN as the “go to” voice of Canada’s hospitals and healthcare facilities.
• Establishes and maintains relationships with members of parliament, federal government officials, political staff, key influencers, and opinion leaders.
• Establishes and maintains effective relationships with counterparts and other staff in partner organizations, coalitions, and with other national stakeholder associations.
• Represents the organization and presents HealthCareCAN’s positions at external meetings and functions.
• Provides information and consults with members and stakeholders, making presentations as required.
• Analyzes and provides advice on national and provincial/territorial health policy issues.
• Monitors and reports developments on issues by maintaining contacts, including with parliamentarians and government officials to share information.
• Conducts research and analysis on priority issues, including in health research, health innovation, health infrastructure and health workforce.
• Prepares briefs, position papers, briefing notes, pre-budget submissions, and presentation materials on key and emerging issues.
• Develops policy positions in consultation with HealthCareCAN members and key health system stakeholders.
• Identifies and recommends effective HealthCareCAN responses to opportunities in the health and health research field.
• Develops and manages specific projects in support of HealthCareCAN’s strategic research and policy priorities including the development of project plans, timelines and budgets.
• Monitors trends and analyzes developments in the Canadian health system.
• Positions and advances HealthCareCAN’s mandate and strategic priorities with key internal and external stakeholders.
• Contributes to inter-association working groups for projects on key issues in support of HealthCareCAN strategic priorities.
• External representation, presents, and supports HealthCareCAN stakeholder forums and coalitions.
• Prepares reports, background papers, correspondence and memoranda in preparation for HealthCareCAN stakeholder forums, government events or meetings.
• Supports decision-making by identifying, analyzing and reporting on trends through contact with members, health organizations, governments, and national groups.

Qualifications

Essential Skills, Knowledge and Experience

• 3-5 years of directly-related experience in government relations at the federal level. Experience with not-for-profit advocacy organizations, particularly within a health environment is considered an asset.
• Demonstrated understanding of political and government processes and cycle, national parties’ priorities and their relationship to academic health sciences centres and health organizations across Canada.
• Successful past track record of engagement of members of parliament, senators, and staff in political offices.
• Superior writing skills in English.
• Excellent verbal communication skills, including presentation skills, and the ability to communicate effectively with individuals holding different viewpoints.
• Excellent research, analytical and synthesis skills.
• Flexibility and willingness to take initiative.
• Tact and a high-level of interpersonal judgement in complex political environments.
• Proven project and time management skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills and values which facilitate successful performance in a small team-based environment, including but not limited to cultural sensitivity, an ability to resolve conflicts and build consensus, and respect for all.
• Very high level of attention to detail.
• Proven ability in leadership for high-visibility projects.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and work independently.
• Ability to synthesize a broad range of concepts including complex information.
• The ability to travel in support of HealthCareCAN
• Bilingualism (English/French) is an asset.

Location:  Ottawa
Work Model:  Remote-first working mostly remotely from home with requirement to attend in-person meetings in the Ottawa/Gatineau area as needed.
Employment Type:  Full-Time.
Salary Range: $70,000  to $90,000 annually, commensurate with relevant experience and skills plus benefits package.

Application Process

Please submit your resume and cover letter and salary expectations as one document to  careers@healthcarecan.ca by June 11, 2025.

If at any stage in the selection process you require special accommodation, please let us know the nature of the required accommodation. HealthCareCAN is an equal opportunity employer who values the diversity of individuals in our programs and services.

Due to the high volume of applicants, we can neither confirm receipt of nor respond to inquiries regarding your application. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.