POSITION PROFILE: ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, CONVENING COMMUNITIES

Reports to: Chief of Strategy and Community Engagement Officer

Reason for Vacancy: Recent Position

ABOUT THE CANADIAN CENTRE ON SUBSTANCE USE AND ADDICTION

The Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA) changes lives by bringing people and knowledge together to reduce the harms of alcohol and other drugs on society. We partner with organizations and diverse communities to improve the wellness of people living in Canada. A non‑governmental organization with a national focus, CCSA envisions a healthier Canadian society where evidence transforms approaches to substance use.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

CCSA acknowledges that First Nations, Inuit and Métis people are the holders of Traditional Indigenous Knowledge. We respect the power of the Indigenous ways of knowing and of Traditional Indigenous Knowledge, and we commit to learning about and incorporating this knowledge into our work with proper guidance.

ABOUT THE POSITION

Reporting to the Chief Strategy and Community Engagement Officer, the Associate Director, Convening Community provides leadership to national, provincial, and municipal community engagement and partnership initiatives. The position is responsible for bringing together diverse partners to advance cooperative action on substance use, addiction, and related health and social issues.

This is a key leadership role in translating organizational strategy and evidence into actionable initiatives by fostering meaningful relationships with partners across all levels of government, health and policing systems, Indigenous communities, researchers, people with lived and living experience, community organizations and other sectors.

Working collaboratively across the organization, the Associate Director supports the development, implementation and evaluation of strategic initiatives designed to improve policy, practice, and systems responses to substance use and addiction.





The role leads a team responsible for planning and delivering national convening activities, communities of practice, advisory groups and collaborative initiatives that generate shared learning, influence policy and practice, and strengthen Canada’s response to substance use and addiction.

As a member of the leadership team, the Associate Director contributes to organizational planning, continuous improvement, and organizational excellence while representing CCSA as a respected convener and collaborator.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES

STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP

- Support the development, implementation, and evaluation of CCSA’s strategic and operational plans related to convening, engagement and partner collaboration activities.
- Lead initiatives and projects from concept through planning, delivery and evaluation; ensuring alignment with organizational priorities.
- Identify emerging trends, risks, and opportunities affecting the substance use and addiction landscape and recommend responsive engagement strategies.
- Provide informed recommendations to senior leadership on community engagement, system collaboration, tool development and partnership opportunities.
- Contribute to organizational planning, performance measurement and continuous improvement initiatives.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND PARTNERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

- Lead the planning, implementation and evaluation of convening community initiatives that bring together diverse sectors, including governments, Indigenous organizations, healthcare and policing leaders, researchers, community organizations, and people with lived and living experience that address complex challenges.
- Design and facilitate collaborative forums, communities of practice, advisory committees, roundtables, consultations, and knowledge exchange tools and events.
- Create inclusive environments that encourage meaningful dialogue, shared learning and collective problem solving.
- Facilitate consensus‑building among partners representing diverse perspectives and priorities.
- Ensure engagement approaches are culturally safe, accessible, trauma‑informed and equity‑focused.

📌 Associate Director, Convening Communities (Ottawa)
🏢 Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse
📍 Ottawa