Communications Director

Zone: Digital Health
Location: 70 O'Leary Avenue

Communications Director
Digital Health - Epic Project
Temporary Full-time

Hours: 70 (8 hours; Days)
Salary: HL 25 ($86,470 - 112,411 Annual)
Competition Number: VAC0005356
Posted Date: 2024-12-17
Closing Date: Open until filled

Demands, duties, qualifications:
The Communications Director is a member of the senior leadership team within the HIS project team. The director provides strategic communications advice in support of the organization's vision and support to the project and leadership team while working independently within the policies and procedures of NL Health Services.

The Communications Director works collaboratively with a team of communications professionals to ensure that communications are timely, accurate, and effective. Working closely with subject matter experts, the communications director takes the lead on HIS-specific communications plans, a proactive approach to media relations, facilitates media inquiries, and coordinates public events. The HIS Communications Director also leads the management of communications opportunities and issues to ensure effective communications to internal and external audiences.

The Communications Director is a strategist and an expert writer who has the ability to grasp complex medical and technical information and communicate it in an easy-to-understand manner. The role requires the ability to advise on communications approaches for emerging issues, seek opportunities to proactively promote the project's positive stories, and write compelling materials for print and electronic media. The director works collaboratively to manage communications for a range of HIS initiatives; partner on joint communications initiatives; and lead committees to advance communications objectives. The successful candidate must also have the technical aptitude to post content to social media platforms, the corporate website, and Intranet.

This Director reports to the senior director for provincial digital strategy and works closely with other members of the communications department. The incumbent also works closely with colleagues within the project to proactively advance communications within the organization and to advance communications province-wide.

Responsibilities:

• Provide strategic communications advice and lead all aspects of communications for HIS including projects, issues, events, and other initiatives across numerous departments and programs.
• Manage the HIS communications plans in collaboration with NL Health Services and project leadership to communicate timely and transparent information to stakeholders, employees/physicians, and the public.
• Act as a first point of contact for inquiries from journalists and assume responsibility for media relations activities for HIS in accordance with the media relations policy. This may include facilitating interviews with spokespeople; coordinating media events/news conferences; writing statements, public service announcements, and other materials; and monitoring media/social media coverage.
• Provide communications advice and support for highly complex and/or sensitive situations that have an impact on the new HIS, or broad organizational impact, and that may require ongoing communication with community organizations, staff/physicians, and other stakeholders.
• Seek opportunities and develop plans to proactively promote positive stories across the province using an array of methods and platforms that advance the goals of the project.
• Introduce mechanisms to collect and monitor the effectiveness of communications and adjust plans as required.
• Work with programs and partners (government, foundations, community organizations) to coordinate, plan, and manage HIS events, as well as provide required communications advice, products, and logistical support.
• Develop, write, and edit a variety of communications materials, including news releases, reports, newsletters, speeches, presentation decks, and social media for various intended audiences.
• Proactively plan communications to build and maintain collaborative relationships with colleagues, senior leaders, community leaders, and other stakeholders to foster an environment of open, honest, timely, and respectful communications.
• Actively participate in various HIS provincial/zone-based committees and project working groups.
• Evaluate and report regularly on the effectiveness and success of communication strategies and approach, and work to continually enhance communications.
• Proactively plan communications to engage employees and key stakeholders; build and maintain collaborative relationships with colleagues, executive leaders, key stakeholders (e.g. physicians, staff, community partners) to ensure effective HIS project delivery and manage expectations; foster an environment of open, honest, timely, and respectful communications.
• Work collaboratively with members of the team to advance digital communications including managing social media presence, developing content for the website, Intranet, and other corporate platforms.
• Work closely with the communications team to communicate via social media and other digital platforms.
• Advise on organizational policies while aligning communications to support the organization's goals and strategic objectives around HIS. This includes ensuring that brand standards and guidelines are consistently applied on communications materials.
• Evaluate and report regularly on the effectiveness and success of communication strategies and approach, and proactively implementing strategies to continually improve communications.

Your Education and Experience include:

• Successful completion of a bachelor's degree (master's degree an asset) in communications, public relations, marketing, or digital communications is required.
• 10-15 years of progressive experience working in public/media relations and communications, working with many external stakeholders and government, as well as knowledge and understanding of the health care system and/or change management.
• 10-15 years' experience with managing projects of a complex nature and scope.
• Considerable experience leading large-scale projects and events, advising senior managers/leaders, and managing complex communications initiatives including digital projects.
• Experience facilitating complex communication initiatives to multiple stakeholder groups.
• Experience writing, designing, and delivering a range of communication materials across different mediums tailored for the appropriate audience (i.e., email, social media, websites, media releases, marketing platforms, etc.)
• Experience working with confidential information and a commitment to and knowledge of the principles of privacy, confidentiality, and access.
• Experience working in a health-care system and/or change management would be an asset.

You have the following skills and abilities:

• Possess leadership and organizational skills that ensure vision and strategies are translated into action, aligned with organizational vision and priorities.
• Think strategically and see the big picture in which the organization functions while at the same time possessing strong attention to detail.
• Take a patient-centric approach to communications and engage stakeholders while ensuring timely and transparent communication.
• Lead work independently while working collaboratively with other relevant program areas and stakeholders.
• Ability to set priorities, multi-task in a fast-paced environment, adhere to policy/processes and meet tight deadlines while adapting to changing needs.
• Demonstrate superior written, oral, and presentation communications skills.
• Effective in understanding complex issues and conveying ideas clearly and concisely.
• Ability to work independently and guide the work of others within the policies and procedures of NL Health Services. Demonstrated leadership and managerial skills, team player, and consensus builder.
• Demonstrated ability to create and execute strategic communication plans.
• Ability to manage budgets allocated in accordance with prescribed policies and guidelines.
• Awareness of corporate policies and guidelines as they relate to project management for the new health information system.
• Problem-solving skills and astute judgment to effectively advise on communications strategies and planning.
• Strong organizational, planning, and time management skills.
• Membership and/or affiliation with professional associations like the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC), the Canadian Public Relations Association, the Canadian College of Health Leaders, or Canadian Health Executive designation may be an asset.
• Knowledge of the provincial health care environment and eHealth.
• Knowledge of website maintenance, marketing, and graphic design.
• Must act with integrity, possess good judgment, and exemplify corporate values.
• A satisfactory record of work performance and attendance is required.
• Ability to work outside of regular working hours and to travel to other sites as required.
• Ability to work from a corporate office and be able to travel to other sites on short notice.