Communications Strategist

We deliver a wide range of healthcare services to the communities of northern York Region and southern Simcoe County. Our advanced regional programs include Cancer Care and Cardiac Care and serve a broader population across the northern GTA and into Simcoe-Muskoka.

Our team of nearly 6,000 staff, physicians, volunteers, students and Patient and Family Advisors are committed to creating an environment where the best experiences happen. As a recognition of our commitment to quality and patient safety, we have received the highest distinction of Exemplary Standing from Accreditation Canada.

Job Summary

Southlake is embarking on an exciting journey to refresh and revitalize its brand positioning to champion a pride for people, place, and performance among its core audiences.
Reporting to the Manager, Communications and Public Affairs, the Communications Strategist helps execute Southlake’s three-year communications plan, while providing communications support to priority projects throughout the organization. This role is a 12-month maternity leave contract with a possibility for extension.

Primary Responsibilities

•Monitor external trends in communications in the healthcare field, specifically around issues that impact hospitals to align communication strategies with the strategic goals of the organization.
•Communications ownership for key priority projects at Southlake
•Manage all aspects of assigned communication projects, provide strategic advice to create and implement strategic plans to achieve results, and provide measured evaluation of the success of these plans using relevant data analytics.
•Accountable for positioning, promoting the Southlake brand, and supporting the organization’s priorities.
•Collaborate with department colleagues to implement integrated campaigns that include internal communications, social media, and community stakeholder engagement.
•Implement government relations and social media strategies to advance the organization’s priorities.
•Support stakeholder and government relations through research and tracking.
•Develop communication plans for strategic organization-wide initiatives, and for hospital department programs and key strategic initiatives
•Develop a variety of internal and external written content such as articles, media stories, collateral, web content, and social media content
•Use data analytics to support strategic communications advice and measure the effectiveness of communications strategies.

Qualifications

•University degree, college diploma or certificate in Public Relations, Communications, Journalism or other related fields
•Minimum of 3 to 5 years’ experience working in corporate communications, public affairs or public relations
•Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills, including a demonstrated ability to work with diverse individuals and groups from frontline staff to members of the management and senior teams
•Demonstrates good judgement and discretion
•Proven ability to effectively manage time and work on several projects simultaneously
•Ability to research projects extensively
•Experience using data to support decision making and strategic communications advice
•Demonstrates excellence in communication, both written and verbal, with strong attention to detail
•Analysis / problem assessment
•Innovative and willing to learn
•Demonstrates leadership through critical-thinking to counsel senior management
•Healthcare, media relations and government relations experience are considered assets.

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