Headquartered in Toronto, the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) is a national, private, not-for-profit organization committed to high-performance sports excellence. We are the largest private supporter of high-performance sport in Canada and we are responsible for all aspects of Canada’s involvement in the Olympic Movement, including the participation in the Olympic and Pan American Games.
Reporting to the National Chief Medical Officer and Head of Health and wellbeing (CMOHW) and working closely with Senior Manager, Game Plan, the Mental Health Clinical Lead is tasked with engaging key stakeholders, coordinating task group and key service providers and overseeing and advising on the implementation of the Mental Health Strategy for High Performance Sport in Canada. This part-time position aims to ensure that the Canadian sport system has world-class mental health programming, support, resources, and education.
This person will be an integral member of the Game Plan National Team. Game Plan is Canada’s total athlete wellness program that strives to support national team athletes to live better and more holistic lives. Game Plan is a collaboration between the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC), Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC), Sport Canada and Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Sport Institute Network (COPSIN) to provide the best resources this country has to offer to our national team athletes – a team that has given so much and inspired so many.
LOCATION
This is a remote position based in Canada, with occasional domestic and international travel.
STATUS
This is an 18-month part-time independent contractor agreement with an anticipated start date of May 2025. The role will require the incumbent to work 2.5 days a week.
CORE RESPONSIBILITIES AND PRIORITIES
- Chair the Mental Health Implementation Committee composed of many interested parties, including but not limited to, representatives from the Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC), Own the Podium (OTP), AthletesCAN, the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Sport Institute Network (COPSIN), National Sport Organizations (NSOs) and the Game Plan team.
- As the Clinical Mental Health Lead on the High-Performance Advisory Council (HPAC), lead the system-wide implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of the Mental Health Strategy for High Performance Sport in Canada to ensure alignment with stakeholders and collaboration across organizations.
- Identify system-wide mental health support needs and preferences of stakeholders.
- Guide the Mental Health Leads within COPSIN to ensure alignment and focus on priorities within the Mental Health Strategy for High Performance Sport
- Lead the development of system-wide mental health policies and procedures, including identifying key focus areas and establishing committees or designating individuals to support the creation of these policies.
- Supervise at least one direct report in leading various projects and coordinating the system-wide development and delivery of educational initiatives to promote mental health and prevent mental illness.
- Ensure the development of minimal Mental Health provision standards for sports at games and in the daily training environment.
- Ensure greater formal collaboration and integration with other National Olympic Committees, National Paralympic Committees and International Mental Health professional bodies.
QUALIFICATIONS AND CRITICAL SKILLS
Education and Experience
- Clinical Psychologist or Clinical Counsellor with current and valid Canadian Registration and professional membership with the Canadian Sport Psychology Association
- Extensive experience working clinically in high performance sport
- Excellent knowledge of the Canadian sport system
- Experience as an athlete on Canada’s Olympic, Paralympic or National Team or working with high performance athletes
Skills
- A proven ability to implement system-wide health strategies in a complex environment
- Strong collaboration skills and ability to adapt to changing environments
- Demonstrates a collaborative leadership approach; counts consensus building as a strength
- Excellent judgement, confidence, and ease to work in a self-directed manner with minimal supervision.
- Strong technical skills: Ability to draft reports, presentation decks, and other mediums of written communication
- Strong written and oral communication skills; bilingualism (EN/FR), is considered a strong asset
- Sound ethics, judgment, and discretion when dealing with confidential information.
- Demonstrates and embodies the Canadian Olympic Committee values of Accountability, Excellence, Fun, Respect and Bravery
COMPENSATION
Competitive salary based on experience.
CONTACT
Please send submit your resume and cover letter by April 1st, 2025.
The COC is committed to ensuring our recruitment and selection processes and work environment are inclusive and barrier-free. At the COC, we celebrate and welcome the diversity of all employees and believe that having a team of individuals with different backgrounds, views, experience and capability working together makes us stronger and better as an organization.
Accommodation is also available upon request for individuals taking part in all stages of our recruitment and selection processes. Please advise the recruiter to ensure your accessibility needs due to a disability are accommodated. Information received relating to accommodation will be addressed confidentially.