Reporting to the Director, Communications & Public Affairs, the Senior Communications Specialist, Media Relations is accountable for the development and delivery of Providence Health Care’s (PHC’s) external communication and issues management strategies through print, electronic and social media; coordinates and implements external communications strategies and activities including developing a broad understanding of important issues, and communicating messages clearly and consistently to promote awareness of initiatives and build a positive profile for PHC; provides strategic communication advice and services to senior leaders, directors, managers and staff; supports community and public involvement in PHC planning, facilitates communications initiatives with governments, and liaises with special interest groups to secure feedback on initiatives, services, programs, and performance; and responds and/or develops action plans for crisis management, liaises with relevant internal and external partners to ensure adequate risk assessment and reputation management. Additionally, the Senior Communications Specialist, Media Relations is responsible for building effective relationships with key media representatives, understanding and anticipating issues of media or stakeholder interest, and ensuring balanced media coverage of PHC issues and events.

Education:  

Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism, Communications, Public Relations or a degree in a relevant discipline plus a minimum of five (5) years of corporate communications experience, including significant experience in media relations, issues management and public affairs or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of the principals of communication and marketing.
• Knowledge of legislative policy development and processes of various levels of government.
• Demonstrated ability to create and execute communication strategies.
• Ability to recognize emerging issues and opportunities, and help coordinate the response to them, while demonstrating tact, diplomacy and composure.
• Demonstrated communication and research skills, especially the ability to write, edit and proofread at a professional standard.
• Strong interest and ability to develop compelling stories that deliver key organization messages.
• Ability to translate technical or complex information into language tailored for media use or use by other audiences.
• Ability to work effectively with others at all levels both internal and external to the organization.
• Ability to organize, prioritize, multi-task and work effectively under pressure to meet multiple deadlines.
• Ability to work with accuracy and attention to detail.
• Ability to work both independently and within a team environment.
• Demonstrated computer skills in the use of standard desktop applications, internet applications and relevant databases.

What We Offer:

• A competitive salary: The salary range for this position is $45.46 - $65.35 per hour, depending on experience. 
• Growth opportunities: We welcome individuals at all stages of their career, offering opportunities for professional development and growth. 
• State-of-the-art facilities:  The new St. Paul’s Hospital and health campus will be the most innovative approach to the delivery of integrated care in B.C. and Canada, designed to appropriately address the future health needs of patients, families, and our communities. From hospital care to primary and community health solutions, the new St. Paul’s Hospital and health campus will continue to lead innovations in care, research, and teaching. The new St. Paul’s Hospital is expected to open in 2027. 
• Inclusive culture: We respect the diversity, dignity and interdependence of all persons. We value the cultural richness that our diverse workforce brings to the care of our equally diverse population of patients and residents. 
• Hybrid work opportunity. 
• A comprehensive health benefits package including dental, vision, and life insurance as well as pension. 

Your Day to Day: 

• Leads the development and delivery of PHC media relations activities including participating in the overall development, implementation and evaluation of PHC’s external relations strategies and objectives in conjunction with senior Communications and PHC leaders. Ensures the consideration of strategic, operational and policy objectives in development of communications plans.
• Recommends and provides direction on the development of communication tactics to raise the organizations public profile and/or communicate key organizational initiatives through methods such as new releases, press conferences, government/stakeholder correspondence, public relations campaigns and other proactive media outreach opportunities.
• Works cross-functionally with the PHC Communications & Public Affairs team, key leaders and content experts across the organization to identify and manage issues. Assesses areas of potential conflict and/or controversy and prepares the appropriate response in order to enhance organizational reputation.
• Acts as a media point of contact and builds and maintains relationships with key media representatives at national, provincial and local levels.
  Undertakes issues management activities as required, including managing media and public/stakeholder issues, preparing Issues Notes and supportive materials for PHC and provincial government.
• Develops media guidelines for the organization incorporating best practices and ensures the dissemination of the information to appropriate stakeholders.
• Provides direction on and/or prepares a variety of communication materials such as news releases, background briefs, web materials and interview scripts.
• Researches and develops stories that support the organization’s communications strategy and determines most effective media/communication vehicle to distribute information.
• Researches, develops and drafts positions on a broad range of issues potentially important to PHC, its strategic and operational objectives and its patients, staff and community stakeholders.
• Coaches and advises PHC staff on opportunities for media exposure on issues and prepares PHC spokespersons for media interviews. Develops media toolkits and other training materials.
• Responds to crisis situations. Liaises with applicable PHC experts (e.g. Patient Relations, Risk Management, and Emergency Preparedness). Determines approaches for communicating information and advises PHC stakeholders on responding to external audiences including the content and method of delivering the information.
• Supports the development of tools and systems to streamline the delivery of external communication and related processes throughout PHC.
• Plans and leads media events such as press conferences and interviews and acts as a media escort for these events.
• Coordinates use of external suppliers, including media distribution services, production of print materials, photographers and venues used for media relations events.
• Leads or participates in working groups, committees and meetings where confidential and sensitive information must be delivered to the public.
• Maintains an awareness of new developments and trends in health education/promotion and community relations through literature review, contact with peers at other organizations, industry advisor groups, professional associations and attendance at seminars, workshops and education programs.
• Acts as a liaison and spokesperson for PHC as needed.

Who We Are:  

Providence Health Care is one of the largest faith-based health care organizations in Canada. For the people at Providence, living our Mission, Vision and Values means providing British Columbians with compassionate, socially just, exceptional and innovative care every day.  

From our humble roots 129 years ago, Providence has grown into globally renowned research, teaching, and care organization. As individuals within a mission-driven organization, we choose to be part of Providence Health Care because we value the organization’s long commitment to social justice and compassionate care, and its commitment to the process of Truth and Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples. 

We acknowledge that Providence Health Care and the new St. Paul’s Hospital site is located on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the Coast Salish Peoples, including the territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.