As a Director - Psychology within the Department of National Defence, you will lead a team of psychology professionals providing clinical and organizational psychology services to support the health, wellbeing, and operational effectiveness of Canadian Armed Forces personnel and their families. You will be responsible for developing psychology programs, overseeing clinical operations, and ensuring evidence-based practices are implemented across your service area. This role bridges clinical expertise with strategic health care management, requiring you to make decisions that impact both individual patient care and broader defence health outcomes.
In this position, you will manage budgets, staff, and resources while maintaining professional psychology standards and meeting regulatory requirements. Your responsibilities include supervising licensed psychologists and support staff, establishing clinical protocols, coordinating with other health care disciplines, and contributing to military health policy development. You will work in diverse settings including Defence Team clinics, operational environments, and headquarters locations across Canada and potentially internationally.
The Director - Psychology role demands strong leadership capabilities, clinical judgment, and the ability to balance evidence-based practice with military operational requirements. You will collaborate with military commanders, health care administrators, and external partners to address the psychological health needs of a unique population.
Key Responsibilities
Plan and manage the delivery of psychology services and programs, Supervise and develop staff within the psychology team, Monitor performance metrics and report on results, Develop and implement operational plans and procedures, Manage stakeholder relationships and ensure service quality
Required Skills
Clinical skills, Patient/client assessment, Empathy and communication, Record-keeping, Interdisciplinary collaboration, Team leadership, Operational planning, Stakeholder engagement, Results management
Typical Education
Bachelor's degree or equivalent; significant experience in the relevant discipline with demonstrated leadership
Training
To qualify for a Director - Psychology position, you must hold a doctoral degree in psychology (Ph.D. or Psy.D.) from a recognized institution and be licensed or eligible for licensure as a psychologist in Canada. Provincial or territorial registration with a college of psychologists is typically required. You should have a minimum of 5-7 years of professional psychology experience, with demonstrated progression into supervisory or leadership roles.
Certifications in specialized areas such as clinical psychology, occupational health psychology, or trauma-informed care are valuable. Many successful candidates complete additional training in health care management, organizational leadership, or military psychology to enhance their readiness for the director role. The Department of National Defence supports ongoing professional development through access to continuing education, advanced training programs, and leadership development initiatives. You will be expected to maintain your professional credentials and remain current with evolving psychology practices and military health care standards throughout your career.
Entry Plans
Entry to the Director - Psychology position in the Public Service typically occurs through advertised competitions posted on the Public Service Commission (PSC) website and Government of Canada careers portals. These competitions are open to Canadian citizens and permanent residents who meet the specified qualifications.
Candidates may enter through several pathways: direct application to Director-level competitions if you have relevant management experience; lateral movement from a Senior Psychologist or equivalent psychology position within DND or other federal departments; or advancement through the internal promotion process if you are already employed as a psychologist within Defence Team. The Department also participates in federal talent management initiatives and strategic staffing for health professions.
If you are early in your psychology career, you can apply for positions at the Psychologist level and progress to supervisory roles such as Senior Psychologist or Psychology Team Lead before advancing to Director. Some candidates enter through specific recruitment initiatives targeting health care professionals. All candidates undergo a competitive selection process that evaluates clinical expertise, leadership capability, and alignment with Defence Team values.
Part-Time Options
The Director - Psychology position is typically a full-time, permanent role due to the leadership and operational responsibilities involved. However, the Government of Canada is committed to workplace flexibility and accommodations.
Depending on operational requirements and individual circumstances, flexible work arrangements may be negotiable, such as modified work schedules or compressed work weeks. Remote work options may be available for administrative and planning duties, though clinical leadership functions and team supervision generally require on-site presence at Defence Team locations.
Part-time or job-sharing arrangements at the director level are uncommon but may be considered on a case-by-case basis through formal requests and departmental approval. The Department prioritizes supporting work-life balance and accommodations for employees with accessibility needs or caregiving responsibilities. Interested candidates should discuss flexibility options during the recruitment and onboarding process with the hiring manager and Human Resources advisor.
Related Careers
No related military careers on file for this position.
