Communications Leader – Richmond Community of Care and Professional Practice

Come work as a Communications Leader – Richmond Community of Care and Professional Practice with Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH).

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We believe the little things make the biggest difference — for patients and each other. Driven by a desire to help, we collaborate and support one another in delivering the best-possible care for patients, clients, residents and their families.  Whether a job involves direct patient contact or supports those who interact with patients daily, we empower every employee to focus on our commitment to deliver exceptional care.

We are currently seeking an intermediate to senior level communications professional to support our Richmond Community of Care and Professional Practice portfolios. As part of the award-winning Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) Corporate Communications team, the Communications Leader, Richmond Community of Care provides strategic communications council and support to operational leaders across Richmond hospital and community care teams. This role also supports the VCH Professional Practice team, which includes nursing practice and education and over 8,700 nurses who work across VCH, allied health (occupational therapy, speech language pathology, physiotherapy), virtual health and clinical informatics.

The role requires everything from big-picture planning to execution of all tactics that make for a successful communication campaign or initiative. The ideal candidate is a dynamic self-starter capable of prioritizing competing deadlines and confidently delivering sound communication advice to operational leaders. Equally important, the individual has a good sense of humour, loads of empathy, a willingness to pitch in to support colleagues, and lots of experience in creating simple, yet effective communications that connect with leaders, frontline employees and medical staff.

The Communications Leader proactively identifies opportunities for internal and external communication, as well as potential communication risks, and serves as a trusted advisor, demonstrating a positive attitude, critical thinking skills, creativity, diplomacy and amazing written and oral communication skills.

Reporting to the Regional Manager of Corporate Communications, the Communications Leader is accountable for developing, planning and implementing strategic communications with a focus on the communication and engagement needs of employees and medical staff in the Richmond Community of Care and the Professional Practice team. The position provides leadership and consultation in all aspects of communications to advance strategic priorities while maintaining and strengthening the health authority’s reputation with both internal and external stakeholders.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant degree, particularly communications, marketing or journalism, plus seven to ten (7 to 10) years of progressive experience in public relations and change leadership, or an equivalent combination of experience and education. Industry-recognized accreditation preferred.
• Past experience in organizational or corporate communications is a must and experience with change management and engagement would be an asset.

Knowledge & Abilities

• Makes independent decisions using analytical and problem solving skills while remaining calm, alert and high-functioning in stressful situations.
• Maintains a comprehensive knowledge of complex health care operations, and VCH goals and objectives to deliver strategic communications.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience with change management.
• Applies and shares strategic knowledge about organizational culture and operational priorities to build partnerships, understanding and advance quality improvement.
• Uses broad knowledge of the social, political and economic environment in the provision of strategic advice to stakeholders across VCH relating to government, community and media communications.
• Applies solid knowledge of best practice business methods to help advance corporate culture, executive communications, executive engagement with frontline staff, corporate business practices and online and in-person communications.
• Uses advanced skills and experience in journalistic and business writing, as well as the skill to develop compelling written and multimedia presentations to target and engage a variety of external and internal stakeholders.
• Physical ability to perform the duties of the position.

Closing Statement

As per the current Public Health Orders (Long Term Care/Seniors Assisted Living Provincial Health Officer Order and the Health Sector Order), as of October 26, 2021, all employees working for Vancouver Coastal Health must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19. Proof of vaccination status will be required.

WHY JOIN VANCOUVER COASTAL HEALTH?

VCH is a world class innovator in medical care, research and teaching, delivering service to more than one million BC residents. At VCH, we embrace thinking boldly, taking smart risks, and "going first" when we believe it will lead to the best possible outcomes for patients and their families. We invite you to join us in creating healthy lives in healthy communities by showcasing our passion for care, connection to the communities we serve and our culture of teamwork that makes VCH a great place to work.

• Comprehensive health benefits package, including MSP, extended health and dental and municipal pension plan
• Grow your career with employer-paid training and leadership development opportunities
• Wellness supports, including counselling, critical incident and innovative wellness services are available to employees and their immediate families
• Award-winning recognition programs to honour staff, medical staff and volunteers
• Access to exclusive discount offers and deals for VCH staff

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are essential to our goals of creating a great place to work and delivering exceptional care. We acknowledge and accommodate unique differences and ensure special measures are in place so that all prospective and current employees are given an opportunity to succeed.

We are committed to building a representative workforce and encourage applications reflecting diversity of sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization or ancestry, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Metis, Inuit, or Indigenous person.

Vancouver Coastal Health is proud to be recognized as one of Canada's Top 100 Employers in 2023.

Only short-listed applicants will be contacted for this posting.