Communications Specialist and Team Lead- Full Time - Whitby, Canada - Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences

Description

Reporting to the Vice-President of Communications and Patient Experience, the Communications Specialist and Team Lead works in collaboration with the Communications and Public Affairs team, along with leaders across the organization to develop, implement, support and evaluate various corporate initiatives and provides strategic communications advice and counsel to various internal groups.

• Plan, design, deliver and evaluate communications initiatives to support the strategic directions of the organization in collaboration with the Senior Management Team, directors and managers.
• Represent Ontario Shores on various external committees, working groups and planning tables
• Develop and implement comprehensive communications plans and prepare written materials such as presentations, speeches, news releases, briefing documents, website content and social media content.
• Create and support proactive media, community and stakeholder relations activities
• Develop and deliver presentations to external audiences and special interest groups
• In collaboration with the Communications team, develop, implement and evaluate the hospital's annual social media strategy.
• Oversee the planning, coordination and implementation of internal and external special events
• Provide strategic communications advice, materials, and counsel to support crisis communications response efforts including but not limited to, public and media statements, media training, key messages, internal memos etc.
• Provide daytoday oversight to the team and their work.
• Support the team members knowledge and skills development and providing input into individual performance evaluation and development goals
• Monitor for emerging issues and opportunities and identify approaches to raise awareness about Ontario Shores and mental health.
• Participate in the CommunicatoronCall rotation and the Incident Management System Response Team with ability to work outside standard hours, as required
• Respond to inquiries from external stakeholders that include but are not limited to community neighbours, retailers, and partners.
• Interview patients, family members, staff, volunteers and external stakeholders for written stories, videos, social media content, blogs, live presentations etc.
• Represent the Communications team on various internal and external committees and working groups and at times, liaise with communications leads from other organizations on shared communications activities.

• Postsecondary education in Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, Journalism, or related field, in combination with 5 to 7 years' experience working in an agency, corporate or healthcare environment.
• Considerable experience working with a variety of internal and external stakeholders at all levels of an organization.
• Experience in issues management, media relations, stakeholder relations, event planning, and corporate communications.
• Experience leading individuals, teams and projects
• Advanced interpersonal skills with an ability to professionally engage and collaborate with leaders, team members and internal and external stakeholders, and colleagues;
• Exceptional project and time management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities with ease.
• Sound knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook
• Excellent oral and written English language communication skills, including writing, editing and presenting.
• Ability to work occasional evening/weekend events and functions such as special event meetings, recruitment activities and hospital events.