Lead, Pharmaceutical Policy

Status: Full time, indefinite

Location: Ottawa, Ontario, or Toronto, Ontario (hybrid)

Closing date: January 16, 2026

Salary range: $98,940 to $123,420 per year

Canada's Drug Agency is a pan-Canadian health organization. We are an independent, not-for-profit organization headquartered in Ottawa, with a satellite office in Toronto. Created and funded by Canada's federal, provincial, and territorial governments, we drive better coordination, alignment, and public value within Canada's drug and health technology landscape. We provide health care system leaders in Canada with independent evidence and advice so they can make informed drug, health technology, and health system decisions, and we collaborate with national and international partners to enhance our collective impact.

We are proud to be 1 of the National Capital Region's Top Employers for 2025. Canada's Drug Agency was named 1 of the National Capital Region's Top Employers for the second year in a row. This recognition celebrates our dedication to fostering a work environment that nurtures growth; innovation; and inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility (IDEA). It reaffirms our ongoing efforts to create an outstanding workplace where our employees thrive and feel valued.

Hybrid Work Arrangement

Most of our employees participate in a hybrid workspace arrangement that allows for flexibility and enhanced work-life balance. We believe in the positive impact of in-person collaboration and the importance of team building. This role follows a hybrid work schedule with a minimum of 2 days on site, though this requirement may vary based on business needs and operational requirements.

Primary Focus

We are seeking to fill a current opening on our Pharmaceutical Policy and HTA team. The Lead, Pharmaceutical Policy (internally known as Lead, Life Cycle Management), will work closely with organizational leaders and jurisdictional representatives to proactively identify gaps in the formulary management of drugs across their life cycle, with a focus on those at, or beyond, exclusivity. This is achieved by providing insights and technical oversight for the development of new types of review products and services that promote improved decision-making, optimal use, maximized health outcomes, and health system sustainability for drugs later in their life cycle.

What do the daily responsibilities look like?

On any given day, the Lead, Pharmaceutical Policy, will:

• lead the development of products and services that address gaps in formulary management, with a core focus on later stages in the drug life cycle
• provide oversight on strategical program initiatives and critically develop formulary management strategies to unleash the value of pharmaceuticals across their lifespan
• identify and address implementation considerations associated with health technology assessment (HTA) recommendations and advice
• lead and provide technical oversight for the delivery of implementation products (e.g., provisional funding algorithms, implementation advice panels)
• lead the development and execution of reimbursement reviews when new evidence supports a change in the place of therapy of a drug or drug class to maximize health outcomes and system sustainability (i.e., therapeutic reviews, revisiting previous reimbursement recommendations), when appropriate
• collaborate internally within the business unit and across the organization
• build and maintain a network of key partners (e.g., clinical experts, advocates, and disease specialty groups) to identify trends that will impact jurisdictional formularies and reimbursement
• lead the collection, synthesis, and analysis of drug utilization data (i.e., claims data) and collaborate within the organization to identify trends and opportunities to optimize the use of drug benefits.

Is this the right role for you?

The Lead, Pharmaceutical Policy will likely have:

• a graduate degree in a health-related discipline, plus a minimum of 4 to 5 years of relevant experience
• strong and demonstrated leadership skills
• an understanding of the health care systems in Canada and knowledge of decision-making processes federally, provincially, and territorially, with additional knowledge of jurisdictional drug formularies
• a minimum of 2 years of experience in drug reimbursement in Canada
• excellent communication skills (verbal, written, and presentation) and the ability to work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams, advisory committees, and external key partners
• a demonstrated ability to build collaborative and productive relationships with a variety of key partners
• conceptual thinking skills and an ability to promote systems thinking to identify trends and process improvements.

What will set you apart?

The following qualifications may help you stand out:

• fluency in French.

What's in it for you?

At Canada's Drug Agency, you will find:

• a team-focused, supportive, and inclusive work environment
• a competitive compensation package, including participation in a defined benefit pension plan with the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP)
• a comprehensive benefits package for employees and dependents, including health, dental, life, and travel insurance; spending accounts to meet your health care and individual wellness needs; and an employee assistance program
• generous paid time off (including a minimum of 4 weeks of vacation, paid sick leave and life leave, a December holiday closure, your birthday as a paid day off, and other leave options)
• flexible hours and a hybrid work model that promotes work-life balance
• opportunities to work with and learn from highly specialized professionals
• personal growth through professional development opportunities, corporate training, and support for continuing education
• a friendly culture in which community engagement is supported and people's efforts and important milestones are recognized
• the opportunity to make a difference for people living in Canada and effect positive change.

To apply for this position, visit the Careers section of our website. Your application must clearly identify how your skills and experience relate to the requirements of this role. You can also share a portfolio or work samples to showcase your skills and experience to give us a clearer understanding of what you can do. Applications for this opportunity may be used for future staffing vacancies. We thank you for your interest; however, only those candidates selected for further consideration will be contacted.

Hiring Process

We believe hiring is an open, reciprocal conversation. Our process is designed to help us get to know you, and for you to get to know us. It includes introductory calls, a panel interview, and opportunities to showcase your skills. You'll also have time to ask questions and explore how you can contribute to the team and organization.

Our applicant tracking system includes artificial intelligence features; however, these are not used in our selection or recruitment processes. All hiring decisions, including application screening, are made by our hiring team members, who carefully review each application to ensure a fair and equitable process.

At Canada's Drug Agency, we actively celebrate, support, and flourish through our differences. Our employees are people with different strengths, experiences, and backgrounds who share a passion for building the future of health care. We demonstrate a commitment to IDEA by encouraging continuous training, modelling inclusive behaviours, and proactively managing biases. We highly encourage all qualified applicants to apply, including Indigenous people, people of all places of origin and religions, people with disabilities, people who are neurodivergent, people who are racialized, women, and people from 2SLGBTQ+ communities. We also provide accommodations during all phases of the recruitment process. If you require any accommodations, please let the Talent Acquisition team know when they contact you. We will work with you to meet your needs.

Please note that, as a condition of employment, successful candidates will be required to complete a confidential pre-employment background check, including criminal, employment, and education verifications.

Candidates must be legally eligible to work in Canada. We regret that we are unable to sponsor employment visas at this time.