The Integrated Youth Services Collaboration Centre (IYS CC) is a new and unique initiative launched by Providence Health Care in partnership and the Centre for Addictions and Mental Health (CAMH),  in collaboration with Integrated Youth Services initiatives in Canada. The IYS CC, while closely affiliated with Foundry, is an independent initiative and its activities are coordinated with a CAMH team of professionals.

We are seeking a Senior Communications Specialist who will contribute to the development and implementation of IYS CC’s internal and external communications with the goal to develop cohesive and shared communications strategies for IYS initiatives across Canada through the IYS CC, advancing the IYS CC’s reputation, revenue, and brand recognition nationally and internationally through knowledge sharing, evaluation and review. This position reports to the Director, IYS CC, Practice and Partnerships and is accountable for:

• Developing and delivering IYS CC’s communications strategies and activities including developing a broad understanding of important issues and opportunities that might impact IYS CC’s network, as well as IYS CC staff, and communicating messages clearly and consistently to promote awareness of initiatives and to build a positive profile for IYS CC;
• Providing strategic communication advice and services to senior leaders, directors, managers and staff;
• Developing communications products including written materials, website and social media content;
• Supporting community and public involvement in IYS CC planning, collaborating with communications teams from IYS partners on shared communications products, facilitating communications initiatives with governments, and Liaising with youth and caregivers across the country to secure input on initiatives, services, programs, and performance;
• Responding and/or developing action plans for crisis management, liaising with relevant internal and external partners to ensure adequate risk assessment and reputation management;
• Building effective relationships with the IYS CC network (13 provincial/territorial jurisdictions), understanding and anticipating service delivery or communications issues, and ensuring the IYS CC brand is represented across Canada;
• Delivering a vision and strategy to build, grow and maintain nation-wide service initiatives and programs and training and learning management systems.

Education:

Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations or Marketing. Seven (7) to ten (10) years related experience in communications, marketing and/or journalism or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience. Previous experience in a health care, youth service agency, public sector or nonprofit environment is an asset.

Skills and Abilities:

• Demonstrated skill and ability working with various forms of earned and paid media and developing relationships with journalists and other media partners.
• Demonstrated skill and ability in journalistic business writing and the creation of compelling articles.
• Demonstrated ability to plan and write a broad range of exceptional copy in a variety of media.
• Experience working in a patient or client-centered framework and/or with meaningful youth and family engagement.
• Outstanding written communication skills.
• Skilled in writing for a variety of media, including print, video (scripts), and Web.
• Extensive knowledge of communications tools and practices.
• Proven experience developing promotional campaign plans and materials.
• User experience with social media, multimedia.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise good judgment and maintain strict confidentiality.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate verbally in a confident and effective manner.
• Excellent interpersonal relations and demonstrated ability to build and foster relationships between groups.
• Ability to handle confidential and/or sensitive issues in a professional manner.
• Ability to remain calm, alert and high functioning under stressful situations.
• Ability to work independently and under pressure to meet tight deadlines.
• Ability to set priorities and be results-oriented.
• Ability to work effectively with senior leaders and other partners in a wide variety of settings across the organization.
• Flexibility to provide after-hours service on occasion, in emergency or unpredictable circumstances.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to travel on occasion.

• A competitive salary: The salary range for this position is $45.46 - $56.82 per hour, depending on experience.
• Growth opportunities: We welcome individuals at all stages of their career, offering opportunities for professional development and growth.
• Meaningful impact: Your dedication and expertise will directly impact the lives of youth living with mental health and/or substance use challenges.
• A comprehensive health benefits package including dental, vision, and life insurance as well as pension.

Your Day to Day:

• Develops and delivers strategic communications plans and activities to build, maintain and enhance public awareness and understanding of IYS CC programs, services and initiatives for specific target audiences, including IYS CC provincial and territorial network leaders; IYS initiative staff; IYS CC teams, and youth and families across Canada. Ensures implementation of these strategies within the IYS CC teams and virtual care teams and across the IYS CC network of IYS initiatives through a community-centred and culturally safe approach.
• Works in partnership with IYS CC staff and other partners and various government partners, ensures the broad uptake of services and accountability to governments.
• Works in partnership with Ministry communications departments to ensure alignment with policies and goals.
• Responsible for overseeing the development and implementation of specific goals and objectives of the overall strategy as assigned by the Lead.
• Coaches and advises IYS CC staff, network partners, government staff and Providence Health Care communications staff on communications strategy and brand activities, including onboarding with communication tools and templates, formatting promotional tools, and supporting their web page development and maintenance. Develops key messaging, brand toolkits and other training materials.
• Acts as the communications contact and builds and maintains relationships with key network representatives across the province.
• Develops and delivers communications and/or promotional plans for pan-Canadian or local programs and carries these plans forward from goal setting to the creation of creative solutions, including implementation and evaluation stages; considers factors such as audience characteristics, organizational vision and strategy, available budget/resources and sensitive, confidential issues.
• Works in collaboration with IYS CC’s youth and family engagement staff to ensure IYS CC’s communication activities align with core principles of meaningful youth and family engagement and follow related organizational policies and procedure.
• Works in collaboration with IYS CC’s Communications Community of Practice (CoP) to ensure IYS CC’s communication activities align with the needs and communication goals of provincial and territorial IYS initiatives and present consistent and unified messaging.
• Participates in the development, implementation and evaluation of departmental goals, guidelines, objectives, policies and procedures; collaborates with the communications CoP in the fulfilment of strategic communications and development goals; liaises with counterparts at partner agencies, health authorities, and various levels of government to ensure consistent messaging and alignment in approaches.
• Writes and edits communications tools such as web content, key messages, presentations, media releases, proposals, and reports.
• Responds to day-to-day information requests from partners, including but not limited to the Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions, various levels of government, partner organizations, and members of the public, in consultation with IYS CC staff. Researches needs, consults IYS CC staff for salient information, and prepares and/or facilitates appropriate responses.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

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.