Job Description
Term: Full-time Permanent
Reports to: Director, Policy, and Research
Work location: Ottawa- Hybrid
The Canadian Association of Optometrists (CAO) is the professional association representing optometrists across Canada. The Association, founded in 1941 and incorporated in 1948, comprises members from Canada's ten provinces and three territories. Today, the CAO represents more than 8,300 Canadian optometrists, optometry students and Canadian Certified Optometric Assistants. CAO's mission is to be the national voice of optometry and optometrists and to help strengthen the profession across Canada. Our goals include enhancing the quality, availability and accessibility of eye, vision, and related health care, promoting our members' independent and ethical decision-making, and assisting optometrists in practicing successfully in accordance with the highest standards of clinical care.
Reporting to the Director of Policy and Research, the incumbent manages the social marketing and outreach efforts of CAO’s Don’t Lose Sight of Vision Care Benefits initiative. Through this initiative, the CAO aims to modernize group vision benefits plans across Canada to offer working Canadians and their dependents the highest standards of modern vision care. We do this through direct outreach and partnership with stakeholders, including insurers, plan sponsors and insurance advisors, and with employee groups and unions. To help achieve this mission, the Manager works closely with members of the CAO’s policy and communications teams, as well as with technical experts and insurance and marketing consultants as appropriate.
This is an opportunity for a driven individual with knowledge of and networks within the Canadian group health insurance sphere and significant knowledge of the challenges and opportunities inherent in designing and promoting group vision and health benefits plans.
The ideal candidate will demonstrate a strong understanding of and practical experience in the group health insurance industry, including plan design, negotiation and contracting. They will also have a solid understanding of the economic, financial, political and demographic considerations that drive Canada's group health insurance industry. They will use that knowledge and experience to advise the CAO senior leadership and to drive tangible change in the insurance landscape towards modernized vision group benefits as envisioned by the organization.
Skills and Qualifications
· Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English (bilingualism is strongly desired)
· Superior presentation skills
· Strong multitasking skills
· Significant knowledge of the Canadian insurance industry
· Excellent interpersonal skills
· Highly diplomatic
· Holding an insurance license is a plus
To better understand our vision benefits modernization initiative, we encourage interested candidates to visit www.dontlosesight.ca
This posting will remain open until it is filled. Expressions of interest will be evaluated on an ongoing basis. If interested, please submit your resume and a cover letter (as a single PDF or MS Word document) outlining how your skills and experience match the requirements for the position.
While the position is intended to be a full-time equivalent, we are open to considering innovative arrangements for the right candidate. Although our office is in Ottawa, we welcome applications from candidates across Canada due to our hybrid and remote work environment.
We thank all applicants for their interest. Only those under consideration for the role will be contacted. The CAO is an equal-opportunity employer. Please advise if you require any accommodation during the application or selection process. The CAO is committed to employment equity and encourages candidates to self-identify if they are members of a visible minority group. People from culturally diverse backgrounds, people of all gender identities and sexual orientations, Indigenous persons, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to consider applying.