Managers in Medicine provide strategic leadership and operational oversight to medical and health care teams within the Department of National Defence. They are responsible for planning, organizing, and directing health care services to support the health and readiness of Canadian Armed Forces members and Defence employees. These managers work in diverse settings including military bases, hospitals, clinics, and deployed operations, ensuring that medical services meet the highest standards of quality and safety.
In this role, you will supervise medical professionals, manage budgets and resources, develop policies and procedures, and ensure compliance with federal health care regulations and military health directives. You will collaborate with other departments and agencies to coordinate integrated health care delivery. Your work directly impacts the operational capability of the Canadian Armed Forces by maintaining the physical and mental wellness of personnel.
This is a dynamic role requiring strong leadership skills, clinical knowledge, and the ability to work in a structured military environment. You will be expected to make decisions that balance patient care, organizational priorities, and fiscal responsibility while supporting both military operations and the professional development of your team.
Key Responsibilities
Plan and manage the delivery of medicine services and programs, Supervise and develop staff within the medicine 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 - Medicine position, you must have a recognized medical degree and be licensed to practice medicine in Canada. This typically includes completion of an undergraduate degree followed by medical school and residency training in a relevant specialty. You should hold or be eligible for certification with the Medical Council of Canada and provincial or territorial medical licensing bodies.
Beyond clinical credentials, the Department values formal management training and education. Many successful candidates complete or pursue Master's degrees in Business Administration, Health Services Administration, or Public Administration. Professional development continues throughout your career through leadership programs, project management training, and specialized courses offered by the Canadian Armed Forces and federal Public Service.
You will be expected to maintain your professional medical licenses and certifications, and to engage in continuing medical education as required by your provincial college of physicians. The Department also supports candidates pursuing credentials in military medicine, occupational health, aviation medicine, or other defence-relevant specialties.
Entry Plans
Entry to a Manager - Medicine position in the Public Service typically occurs through federal staffing competitions advertised on the Government of Canada Job Bank and the National Defence careers website. These competitions are open to Canadian citizens and permanent residents who meet the qualifications.
Many candidates transition into management roles after working as physicians within the Canadian Armed Forces or the Department of National Defence civilian health services. This internal pathway allows you to gain experience with military operations, defence priorities, and organizational culture before assuming a management position. Others may apply directly from the private sector or provincial health systems if they meet the required qualifications.
The Department also participates in targeted recruitment programs and may maintain priority pools of qualified candidates to support rapid staffing. Networking with current Defence health professionals and attending recruitment events can provide valuable information about opportunities. Lateral moves from other federal health management positions are also possible for candidates with equivalent experience and credentials.
Part-Time Options
Manager - Medicine positions are typically full-time permanent roles due to the supervisory and operational responsibilities involved. However, the Department of National Defence is committed to supporting work-life balance and may offer flexibility in specific circumstances.
Depending on the posting and organizational needs, some locations may offer flexible work arrangements such as compressed work weeks, flexible hours, or telework options for administrative and planning duties. Remote work may be possible for certain aspects of the role, particularly strategic planning, policy development, and inter-departmental coordination activities.
Part-time managerial positions are rare in this classification, as the role requires consistent on-site presence for leadership, supervision, and operational oversight. However, candidates with specific circumstances are encouraged to discuss accommodation possibilities during the recruitment process. All employees benefit from federal leave entitlements, including vacation, sick leave, and family-related leave provisions.
Related Careers
No related military careers on file for this position.
