Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Canada | Remote
Headway Search Group is leading a national search for a Chief Executive Officer to guide a respected Canadian medical specialty association through its next phase of strategic execution, stakeholder alignment, and organizational leadership.
This is a consequential leadership mandate within a physician-led, member-based organization operating at the intersection of healthcare, advocacy, education, and research. The CEO will play a central role in advancing the voice and impact of a national clinical community while ensuring strong internal execution and alignment.
The organization has recently emerged from a meaningful period of renewal, with strengthened financial footing, improved member engagement, and modernized governance. The next CEO will build on this foundation, sustaining momentum on a multi-year strategic plan while expanding external influence and deepening relationships across a complex healthcare ecosystem.
The CEO will also support the organization’s broader medical and academic mandate, including engagement with national and international partners, affiliated foundations, and stewardship of a highly regarded peer-reviewed specialty journal that plays a key role in advancing clinical research and practice.
In this role, you will:
- Provide enterprise leadership across strategy, operations, governance support, membership, communications, and core programming
- Strengthen the effectiveness, clarity, and engagement of a distributed national team
- Partner closely with a volunteer Board of physician leaders, ensuring strong reporting, alignment, and disciplined execution
- Build productive relationships with members, committee and section leaders, academic stakeholders, foundation partners, and external collaborators
- Advance the organization’s advocacy priorities within the Canadian healthcare system and broader policy landscape
- Ensure the organization continues to deliver meaningful value to its members and remains a trusted voice within the medical community
The early mandate is clear:
- Build trusted relationships quickly with the Board, staff, and key stakeholders
- Develop a sharp understanding of the organization’s culture, operations, and strategic priorities
- Reinforce communication norms and decision-making discipline
- Sustain a strong, aligned team culture while supporting the next phase of organizational growth and impact
We are interested in speaking with leaders who bring:
- Senior leadership experience in a complex, stakeholder-driven environment
- Experience working closely with a Board and navigating the governance–management interface
- Strength in financial stewardship, planning, and organizational leadership
- A track record of building healthy, accountable, high-performing teams
- The judgment and influence required to lead in a physician-led, volunteer-driven environment
- Experience in healthcare, professional associations, academic institutions, or other mission-driven organizations is strongly preferred
This is a remote leadership role with some travel required for Board meetings, national events, and stakeholder engagement.