As a Manager - Clinical Psychology within the Department of National Defence, you will provide strategic leadership and oversight to clinical psychology services that support the health and wellbeing of Canadian Armed Forces members and their families. You will direct the operations of psychology clinics or units, manage professional staff, and ensure the delivery of evidence-based mental health care aligned with defence health service standards. Your role bridges clinical expertise with administrative responsibility, requiring you to balance clinical quality assurance with budget management, human resource development, and organizational planning.
In this position, you will supervise clinical psychologists and support staff, establish clinical protocols and best practices, and maintain compliance with professional and regulatory standards. You will collaborate with other health care leaders, military commanders, and external partners to address mental health priorities within the defence organization. Your responsibilities include performance management, resource allocation, strategic planning for psychology services, and ensuring culturally competent care for a diverse military population. You may also contribute to research initiatives, training programs, and the advancement of clinical psychology practice within the Canadian Armed Forces.
You will work in a dynamic health care environment that operates across multiple locations, from military bases to medical facilities. This role demands clinical credibility, strong organizational skills, and the ability to lead teams in high-pressure situations where mental health support directly impacts operational readiness and personnel retention.
Key Responsibilities
Plan and manage the delivery of clinical psychology services and programs, Supervise and develop staff within the clinical 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, People management, Operational oversight, Quality assurance, Resource coordination
Typical Education
Post-secondary education in the relevant field; supervisory and operational management experience
Training
To qualify for a Manager - Clinical Psychology position, you must hold a master's degree or doctorate in clinical psychology from a Canadian university or equivalent credential. Licensure as a psychologist in Canada is required, including registration with a provincial or territorial regulatory body. You should have a minimum of five years of clinical practice experience, with preference given to candidates with experience in military, defence, or government health care settings.
Professional certifications relevant to clinical psychology practice, such as those from the Canadian Psychological Association or specialty certifications in trauma, assessment, or evidence-based therapies, are advantageous. You must demonstrate competency in Canadian mental health standards, military culture awareness, and knowledge of defence health service frameworks. Ongoing professional development is expected, including participation in continuing education, advanced training in leadership and management, and engagement with professional psychology associations. Many managers pursue additional qualifications in health administration, organizational leadership, or military psychology to enhance their management capabilities.
Entry Plans
Entry to a Manager - Clinical Psychology role in the federal Public Service typically occurs through a targeted public service competition advertised on the Government of Canada's Job Bank (jobs.gc.ca) and DND recruitment channels. Candidates must apply during open competition periods and meet all essential qualifications. The selection process includes a written examination, interview, and reference checks to assess both clinical expertise and management capability.
Lateral entry is possible for experienced clinical psychologists already employed within the Canadian Armed Forces or other federal departments who wish to transition into management roles. The Department of National Defence may also develop internal talent by promoting clinical psychologists with demonstrated leadership potential through management development programs and acting assignments. Some positions may be filled through the Public Service Commission's Interchange Canada program for interprovincial mobility of public servants. Candidates should monitor DND's recruitment website and subscribe to job alerts to be notified of competition openings. Networking within defence health circles and obtaining experience in supervisory or administrative roles while in clinical positions can strengthen applications for management roles.
Part-Time Options
Manager - Clinical Psychology positions are typically full-time appointments due to the leadership and continuity requirements of the role. However, the Department of National Defence recognizes the importance of work-life balance and may accommodate requests for part-time work arrangements on a case-by-case basis, subject to operational needs and management approval. Some positions may offer compressed work weeks or flexible scheduling options that maintain full-time hour commitments while adjusting daily or weekly distribution of work time.
Remote or hybrid work arrangements may be available depending on the specific unit, location, and duties involved. Administrative and planning tasks may sometimes be performed remotely, though some aspects of clinical leadership—such as staff supervision, case consultations, and team meetings—may require in-person presence. The Department encourages conversations between managers and their supervisors to identify flexible work solutions that support employee wellbeing while ensuring clinical services and team leadership standards are maintained. Eligibility for accommodations is determined through the departmental flexible work policy and should be discussed during the recruitment process or after appointment.
Related Careers
No related military careers on file for this position.
