Communications Leader, Cst (Vancouver Coastal Health)

Come work as a Communications Leader, for the Clinical & Systems Transformation (CST) Project.

Are you up for a challenge? Health care communications is a dynamic, ever-evolving environment. It’s never boring or without purpose – you’ll always be learning something new and supporting the delivery of the best care possible to our communities.

As part of an award-winning team, the Communications Leader for the Clinical & Systems Transformation (CST) Project is a dynamic self-starter who is resourceful, creative, and client-focused. The ideal candidate is capable of seeing the big picture and yet not shy about rolling up their sleeves to work shoulder-to-shoulder with team members to implement tactics and meet project deadlines.

This role requires everything from big-picture planning to execution of all tactics that make for a successful communication campaign or initiative. The Communications Leader should be able to proactively identify opportunities for internal and external communication, as well as potential communication risks, and serves as a trusted advisor, demonstrating a positive attitude, critical thinking skills, creativity, diplomacy and above-average communication skills.

The ideal candidate should also have an appreciation of measurement and evaluation, and understand how to apply data to improve audience engagement and contribute to larger organizational goals and objectives. The impact of your insightful decision-making abilities will be evident in the successful engagement of our key stakeholders and influence attitude or behaviour changes.

Reporting to the Communications Director for the CST project, the Communications Leader is accountable for developing and implementing strategic communications plans and initiatives for the participating health organizations (Vancouver Coastal Health, Provincial Health Services Authority and Providence Health Care). The Leader provides leadership and consultation in all aspects of communications to advance the project’s strategic priorities while maintaining and strengthening the reputation of the project with both internal and external stakeholders. The Leader, in this complex but rewarding role, is responsible for leading communications planning and decision-making for key initiatives across the project’s various implementation groups, as well as developing and strengthening core communications competencies among associated CST leaders.

As a Communications Leader for the CST Project you will:

• Provide strategic communications consultation, planning and evaluation for senior leaders to proactively achieve strategic priorities, manage reputational risks, support change and transition initiatives, and positively impact corporate operations and employee engagement.
• Identify and respond to incidents and emerging issues with background information and messaging, and develops strategic external communications with various stakeholders including news media, government, industry bodies, key stakeholders groups, and other publics.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.
• Advise senior leaders and physicians on best use of communication tools and practices to achieve operational and strategic priorities.
• Ensure employees and physicians are aware and understand corporate goals and objectives through strategic use of established and emerging communications channels.
• Support the Communications Director and provides advice, guidance and communications direction (both internally and externally) to ensure the successful implementation of communications strategies.
• Conduct research and evaluations, including surveys and focus groups, to benchmark and measure the effectiveness of the organization’s communications strategies.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline (Journalism, Communications, Marketing, or Public Relations) supplemented with industry-recognized accreditation.
• Knowledge of the health care industry, large-scale transformation projects, informatics and/or public sector experience is a significant asset.
• Seven to ten (7-10) years of progressive related experience, or equivalent combination of experience and education.

Knowledge & Abilities

• Demonstrated knowledge and experience with change management, communications planning and project management processes.
• Applies and shares strategic knowledge about organizational culture and operational priorities to build partnerships, understanding and advance quality improvement.
• Applies solid knowledge of best practice business methods to help advance corporate culture, executive communications, executive engagement with frontline staff, corporate business practices and online and in-person communications.
• Uses advanced skills and experience in journalistic and business writing, as well as the skill to develop compelling written and multimedia presentations to target and engage a variety of external and internal stakeholders.
• Maintains a comprehensive knowledge of complex health care operations, and the goals and objectives VCH, PHSA and PHC, to deliver strategic communications.
• Makes independent decisions using analytical and problem solving skills while remaining calm, alert and high-functioning in stressful situations.
• Physical ability to perform the duties of the position.
• Uses broad knowledge of the social, political and economic environment in the provision of strategic advice to stakeholders across VCH, PHSA and PHC relating to government, health informatics, community and media communications.

As per the current Public Health Orders (Long Term Care/Seniors Assisted Living Provincial Health Officer Order and the Health Sector Order), as of October 26, 2021, all employees working for Vancouver Coastal Health must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19. Proof of vaccination status will be required.

WHY JOIN VANCOUVER COASTAL HEALTH?

VCH is a world class innovator in medical care, research and teaching, delivering service to more than one million BC residents. At VCH, we embrace thinking boldly, taking smart risks, and "going first" when we believe it will lead to the best possible outcomes for patients and their families. We invite you to join us in creating healthy lives in healthy communities by showcasing our passion for care, connection to the communities we serve and our culture of teamwork that makes VCH a great place to work.

• Wellness supports, including counselling, critical incident and innovative wellness services are available to employees and their immediate families
• Award-winning recognition programs to honour staff, medical staff and volunteers
• Grow your career with employer-paid training and leadership development opportunities
• Access to exclusive discount offers and deals for VCH staff
• Comprehensive health benefits package, including MSP, extended health and dental and municipal pension plan

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are essential to our goals of creating a great place to work and delivering exceptional care. We acknowledge and accommodate unique differences and ensure special measures are in place so that all prospective and current employees are given an opportunity to succeed.

We are committed to building a representative workforce and encourage applications reflecting diversity of sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization or ancestry, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Metis, Inuit, or Indigenous person.

Vancouver Coastal Health is proud to be recognized as one of Canada's Top 100 Employers in 2023.

Please note that a resume is required to apply to this posting.

Please note: The duration of this temporary position is until approximately September 2024.

Hours of Work may vary due to project requirements.

Only short-listed applicants will be contacted for this posting.

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