Vice-President, Research & Scientific Engagement

For 75 years, MS Canada has been living its mission to connect and empower the MS community to create positive change and a bold vision of a world free of multiple sclerosis (MS).

MS Canada is guided on the journey to end MS through discoveries, innovation and collective action. This strategy connects the MS community through its common goal of a world free of MS. Together, the organization works to advance treatment and care, enhance well-being, understand, and halt disease progression and ultimately prevent MS from happening in the first place. Working with researchers, donors, partners, volunteers, and people living with the disease, MS Canada is striving to improve the lives of Canadians today through supporting high-quality research that aims to end MS tomorrow.  Through generous contributions from donors, corporate sponsors, and fervent fundraisers, MS Canada has invested over $218 million dollars in research since its inception in 1948. To learn more about MS Canada and its impact, please visit www.mscanada.ca.

It is within this context that MS Canada welcomes applications and nominations for the appointment of its Vice-President Research & Scientific Engagement

Reporting to the Senior Vice-President, Mission, Benjamin Davis, the Vice-President Research & Scientific Engagement (“VPR”) oversees a broad national and global portfolio supporting MS Canada’s research enterprise and mission, and knowledge mobilization.  This position would contribute thought leadership to a host of global initiatives, including the International Progressive MS Alliance, Global MS Research strategy group (Pathways to Cures) and a developing MS   prevention initiative.  Working with a dedicated team, across the organization and with external experts, the VPR oversees the research strategies, priorities and goals, the granting process, conferences and knowledge translation, and manages the day-to-day operations and activities of the research team. As a key member of the executive leadership team, the VPR provides leadership to strategies and plans for the organization.   VPR sits on multiple scientific committees, serving as both the spokesperson for the organization's research agenda and as a conveyor of those working to support MS Canada’s goals and vision. As a key member of the executive leadership team, the VPR will set priorities and strategies for MS Canada research decisions and be the voice and advocate for ensuring the inclusion of patient voices in advancing the research agenda.

As MS Canada is a research-intensive health charity, its senior leaders must have exceptional profiles and the capability to earn the credibility and trust of their peers. To that end, as the ideal candidate, you are a respected executive with an exemplary track record of research, scholarship, service, and senior leadership experience to lead this team and its responsibility for promoting research on a national and global scale. Candidates must hold an earned doctorate (PhD) from a recognized university in a relevant field coupled with a leadership tenure from a similarly complex, national and global organization with a disease prevention or health mandate.  Your communications skills are exceptional, and you are at ease communicating complex scientific issues to both scientific researchers and clinicians, and to the broader MS community in lay language. Colleagues refer to you as collaborative, responsive, thoughtful and a team builder and mentor, with a deep commitment to supporting Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility (IDEA). The ability and flexibility to travel nationally and globally is required.

To learn more about this impactful leadership opportunity with MS Canada, please submit a comprehensive resume along with a cover letter in confidence to Jane Griffith (jane@griffithgroup.ca) and/or Robin Noftall (robin@griffithgroup.ca).

All applications must be submitted before Friday, 29th November, 2024 at 5pm ET.

MS Canada welcomes and encourages applications from all qualified individuals, including, but not limited to women, Indigenous persons, racialized persons, persons with disabilities and persons of all sexual orientations and/or gender identities.

MS Canada and Griffith Group are committed to an inclusive, accessible and welcoming hiring process that provides reasonable accommodation to all applicants. Please advise Jane Griffith (jane@griffithgroup.ca) should you require any accommodation to participate in the recruitment and/or assessment processes.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents.