Posting #: 26022
Department: Public Affairs
Employee Type: Temporary, Full Time
If Temporary, Number of Weeks: 78
Union: Non-Union
Openings Remaining: 1
Work Days: Monday to Friday
Time of Day: Days
Shift: 7.5 hour
This position may be scheduled at any of the following sites: Charlton Campus (Hamilton Downtown)
Opening Date: 28/09/23
Closing Date: 05/10/23 Applications must be received online by 12:00 midnight on the Closing Date
Temporary Assignment - approximately 78 weeks
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Senior Public Affairs Specialist reports to the Manager of Public Affairs. With a minimum of five years of progressive experience in corporate communications or public relations, the Senior Public Affairs Specialist leads and executes coordinated, strategic, creative and timely communications, with a focus on internal communications that builds engagement and enhances the culture and values of St. Joe’s. Working with a strong team approach, this position provides strategic counsel on significant corporate issues, leading strategic proactive and reactive communication campaigns, working with multiple stakeholders across the organization to identify issues and opportunities to further advance internal dialogue and knowledge.
QUALIFICATIONS/SKILLS REQUIRED:
- Diploma in a related field required; Undergraduate Degree in a related discipline preferred
- Member of the Canadian Public Relations Society (CPRS) or International Association of Business Communicators (IABC)
- 5-7 years of progressive experience working in public/media relations and communications and working with many stakeholders. An understanding of the health care system is preferred
- Experience in an acute healthcare environment an asset
- Must have excellent verbal and written communication skills; creative writing skills
- Detail-oriented with strong analytical, planning and organizational skills essential
- Demonstrated ability to work well under pressure and manage tight deadlines with a positive attitude
- Must be comfortable working with team members and partners across various levels of the organization, including health professionals, researchers and administrators;
- Excellent networking, research and analytical skills are required
- Must demonstrate comfort with digital technologies (digital newsletters, simple design programs, simple website work, electronic meeting rooms such as Zoom, presentation programs such as PowerPoint)
- Must be able to work well both independently and as a part of a team
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Works cross-sectionally with leaders across the organization to advise on internal communications
- Develops proactive communications and change management campaigns focussed primarily on internal audiences
- Stays abreast of the most current and progressive communication practices to determine new, engaging, and effective methods and tools to communicate to multiple internal audiences
- Works with the manager, Public Affairs team, Audio Visual Team, and Foundation to coordinate cohesive communication plans to support brand and reputation of SJHH
- Leads, coordinates and supports internal communication to inform, engage and helps to achieve corporate strategic goals and goals of SJHH’s strategic plan
- Working with the manager and Chief Communications Officer, helps to determine priorities and order of projects for internal communications
- With support from the manager, coordinates internal communication projects, including project management to map out timelines and duties, monitor progress and identify to manager potential issues and need for course correction
- Maps out, coordinates, leads and reports on goals and measurement for communication projects
- Supports equity, diversity and inclusion in all communication projects
- Communication projects may entail enlisting the help of multiple vendors and will require ability to support Requests for Proposals/quotes, ensuring time-dependent delivery of materials and distribution of those materials, as well as appropriate branding
- Works with other healthcare partners on coordinated cross-organizational communication materials and campaigns
- Works with the manager and Chief Communications Officer to build brand, reputation and strategies to support executive leadership team, in particular the President of SJHH
- Supports, builds and coordinates campaigns and materials internally to enhance engagement and dialogue between executive leadership and staff/physicians/learners/volunteers
- Supports and leads internal communications that builds engagement and enhances the culture and values of St. Joe’s, including working closely with other departments such as Human Resources and Organizational Development
- Stays abreast of current trends to lead internal communications that enhance transparency and trust between leadership and internal stakeholders
- Supporting the manager and Chief Communications Officer, continuously scans the internal and external environment to identify potential risks to reputation and brand, and develops/advises on mitigation strategies, including advising leadership and developing communications/risk management plans
- All other duties as assigned
HOURS OF WORK:
Monday to Friday, days
St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton (SJHH) is an equal opportunity employer and strives for equity, inclusiveness, and diversity in all our programs, practices, facilities, and people. We foster a culture of patient and staff safety where all positions comply and work in conjunction with the Mission, Vision, and Core Values of SJHH.
We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. SJHH is committed to a barrier-free recruitment and selection process - please inform us should accommodation be required at any point in the recruitment process.
Vaccines (COVID-19 and others) are a requirement of the job unless you have an exemption on a medical ground pursuant to the Ontario Human Rights Code.
