Senior Public Affairs Advisor

The pan-Canadian Pharmaceutical Alliance (pCPA) brings together provincial, territorial, and federal governments for the purpose of increasing and managing access to clinically relevant and cost-effective medicines. Through collective negotiations, thepCPAhas realized overall savings (as of April 1, 2025) for governments of $3.94 billion annually for brand name drugs and $935 million annually for generic drugs totaling $4.87 billion annually. ThepCPAoffers a 100% remote (within Canada) work environment .

About therole

The senior public affairs advisor provides public policy analysis,researchand strategic advice to support the pan-Canadian Pharmaceutical Alliance (pCPA). The role monitors and interprets legislative, economic, public policy, and partner developments in Canada to informpCPApriorities,anticipatepotential impacts onpCPAoperations, and support evidence-based responses.

Reporting to the director, Partner Relations, the senior public affairs advisor leads and contributes to evidence-based public policy analysis and recommendations that inform organizational priorities, strengthen decision-making and advance thepCPA’sgoals in a complex and evolving pharmaceutical environment.

Key responsibilities

Public policy development and analysis

• Conduct in-depth research and analysis on complex pharmaceutical and public policy issues.
• Review and interpret legislation, regulations, and health economic assessments to assess implications for thepCPAand its partners.
• Analyse public policy and positioning across the pharmaceutical ecosystem (health organizations, governments, associations, etc.) toidentifystrategic implications.
• Monitor activity across key federal, provincial, and territorial departments to assess potential impacts on thepCPAand its partners.
• Review and interpret economic reports, landscape analysis, and budget documents toidentifypotential impacts on thepCPAoperations.
• Identifyemerging issues and trends with potential implications for the organization and leverage policy strategies and communications approaches to mitigate risk and manage outcomes.
• Track domestic and international political, economic, and public policy developments with implications for the pharmaceutical landscape.
• Monitor sector initiatives, awareness efforts, and public narratives that may have implications for thepCPA.
• Track and assess federal, provincial, and territorial legislative developments and related health system reforms that couldimpactthepCPAoperations.
• Identifyemerging issues and trends with potential implications for the organization and leverage policy strategies to mitigate risk and manage outcomes.
• Provide early intelligence and risk assessment to inform proactive planning and strategic positioning.

Strategic advice and organizational support

• Provideexpert advice to the director, Partner Relations and senior leadership on issues related to public policy, partner initiatives, and legislation.
• Facilitate collaboration and knowledge exchange across the organization and with key external partners to ensure consistent and coordinated public policy approaches.
• Translate complex public policy, technical information, and partner initiatives into clear, concise materials for internal decision-making.
• Contribute to internal briefings and support the integration of public policy analysis into planning and reporting.
• Develop evidence-based public policy response options, briefing materials, reports, presentations, and other documents for thepCPA’ssenior leadership.
• Support the development and maintenance of policy tools, templates, and knowledge products that promote high-quality analysis and consistent advice.
• Prepare materials for consultation, working groups, and committees.

Accountability

• Accountableto the director, Partner Relations.

Qualifications

Education and experience

• A degree in public policy, political science, public administration, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• A minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in public policy research and analysis within the health or public sector.

Skills and abilities

• As English is the primary working language at thepCPA, exceptional written and verbal communication skills in English arerequired.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills in French (asset).
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills, with the ability to interpret complex data andidentifystrategic implications.
• Solid understanding of government processes.
• Solid understanding of the Canadian pharmaceutical landscape (a