CLASSIFICATION: Senior Communications Specialist; Non-Contract
STATUS: 1-year term with potential for extension
POSTING: 005N25
WORK AREA: Vancouver; Hybrid
HOURS: 75 hours biweekly (1.0 FTE)
08:00-16:00; Monday-Friday
SALARY: $70,000-$90,000

SUMMARY OF ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES

Providence Living is a non-profit Catholic-sponsored health care organization focused on long-term care, assisted living, housing, and other community services to support residents and their family members. We are committed to re-imagining the resident experience and to creating communities and fostering a culture where residents are empowered to make decisions that affect their quality of life.

Provides consultation to internal partners such as Executive Directors, Directors and other Providence Living leaders in the planning, development, implementation and evaluation of strategic communication strategies that support regional and province wide programs and initiatives (internal and external); plans and coordinates communications-related projects, special events, proactive media pitches, advertising and external speakers; writes/produces various internal/external communications materials; ensures overall quality, consistency and effectiveness of complex and/or confidential communication materials.

All staff have a part to play in preventing adverse events and in promoting safety for residents and staff by being aware of and adhering to all policies and procedure,s including promptly reporting any risks or safety concerns relating to resident or staff safety.

Services at Providence Living are guided by our Mission, Vision, Values, and Ethical Framework. All employees are expected to demonstrate respect for the safety and dignity of all residents, staff and volunteers. Every employee makes a vital contribution to our Mission of providing care with compassion, by exemplifying our core values of respect, excellence and compassion in their work and demonstrating Indigenous Cultural Safety, cultural humility and anti-racism principles.

ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provides consultation to internal partners such as Executive Directors, Directors and other Providence Living leaders and conducts appropriate supporting communication research and analysis; assesses media reports and develops, implements and evaluates current communication strategies to engage internal and external audiences to facilitate an open dialogue and understanding of important issues, challenges, opportunities and strategic directions; recommended implements changes to communication strategies to better meet communication objectives.

• Collaborates with other programs and departments, and with other members of the Communication and Partnerships to engage employees, physicians, volunteers, residents and the community to support cultural renewal and promote a positive corporate image.

• Leads strategic communications and/or promotional plans for Providence Living -wide and/or local programs based on effective situational analyses; carries these plans forward from the goal-setting through to the creative solution including the implementation and evaluation stages by considering factors such as audience characteristics, corporate vision and strategy, industry best practices, available budget/technology and resources and potentially sensitive or confidential issues.

• Coordinates and evaluates external and internal suppliers involved in communications-related projects, including writing, language translation, graphic design, web design, printing, photography, video production, signage and site maps; oversees assigned project budget and deadlines.

• Selects and ensures suppliers and internal clients adhere to corporate graphical standards and other standards and requirements; ensures overall quality, consistency and effectiveness of communication materials; provides recommendations to the Vice President, Communications, Partnerships regarding related project expenditures.

• Collaborates with other Communications team members to plan and coordinate media publicity for local and Providence Living-wide activities, events and programs to promote a positive corporate image and organizational strategies in health service delivery; provides work direction to other staff, as required.

• Plans and coordinates regional speaking opportunities, community displays/exhibits, social media and advertising to promote a positive corporate image and organizational strategies in health service delivery; develops community action plans, including setting objectives, coordinating appropriate internal speakers and community display/exhibit opportunities and evaluating results.

• Attends and participates on various regional, local and program-related committees to provide strategic communications counsel and support, as required.

• Participates in the development, implementation and evaluation of departmental goals, objectives, policies and procedures.

• Identifies good news stories, drafts external and internal-facing articles, news releases and background documents required for external and internal circulation to appropriate Providence Living leaders and staff, and federal, provincial, regional or local government agency.

• Develops and implements external and internal event plans and pro-active external/internal engagement campaigns to ensure Providence Living has a strong presence among staff and in communities and regions Providence Living serves.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education, Training and Experience

Bachelor’s degree in communications, Public Relations and/or related discipline, supplemented with five (5)to seven (7) year's recent related experience in a communications or public affairs role in a large public sector, health care and/or similarly complex organization, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Skills and Abilities

• Sound knowledge, understanding and application of communications concepts, strategies and technical skills required in the planning, execution and evaluation of communications plans.
• Demonstrated ability to provide strategic counsel to others.
• Demonstrated ability to plan and write a broad range of copy in a variety of media. Expertise in strategic storytelling and translating complex topics and technical terms into compelling copy for audiences.
• Demonstrated applied knowledge of current trends in writing, graphic arts, photographic arts, display/exhibit development and electronic communications such as social media.
• Ability to manage projects on budget and on deadline.
• Demonstrated understanding of the essence and subtleties of communication.
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
• Ability to plan and coordinate effective media publicity and special events.
• Demonstrated ability to network, build consensus, resolve conflicts, and foster teamwork among a variety of interest holders at all levels of the organization, influencing and persuading when needed.
• Demonstrated ability to be client-focused, to develop and maintain rapport and effective working relationships with internal and external partners.
• Ability to operate related equipment, including applicable software applications.
• Physical ability to perform the duties of the position.