Manager, Communications and Issues Management

Manager, Communications and Issues Management

PHSA Corporate

Vancouver, BC

In accordance with the Mission, Vision and Values, and strategic directions of PHSA safety, including both patient and employee safety, is a priority and a responsibility shared by everyone at PHSA. As such, the requirement to continuously improve quality and safety is inherent in all aspects of this position.

Reporting to the Senior Director, Communications & Stakeholder Relations and working in close collaboration with the PHSA Communications leadership team and the PHSA Director, Media Relations & Issues Management, the BCEHS Manager, Communications & Issues Management develops, implements and evaluates communication strategies and initiatives focused on issues management and reputation to promote a strong positive profile for BCEHS and the overall health care system. The Manager, Communications & Issues Management provides counsel to senior and executive staff on issues-related communication planning and facilitation; works closely with BCEHS and program communications teams and BCEHS and PHSA program/services leadership to proactively identify and track potential issues or areas of stakeholder concern and respond quickly to sensitive issues; prepares accurate, fact-based briefing materials and issues notes; and supports comprehensive communications and stakeholder relations planning for strategic initiatives and government priorities related to the PHSA mandate.

Supported by the Senior Director, Communications & Stakeholder Relations, the Manager, Communications & Issues Management acts as the organization’s central contact for its government partners and outside agencies to manage and track significant issues. Works closely with other members of the BCEHS and PHSA communications teams, all levels of staff within BCEHS programs and services, regional health authority partners and members of the Government Communications & Public Engagement (GCPE) team, to research issues, develop succinct media statements, fact sheets and backgrounders, and manage potentially sensitive and controversial issues.

The Manager, Communications & Issues Management contributes to the overall dynamic and compassionate leadership of the BCEHS Communications team in partnership with other senior communications staff. Uses a coaching approach to lead team members and/or consultants and supports the larger team to achieve quality outcomes and superior customer service for clients and stakeholders.

The Manager, Communications & Issues Management works closely and collaboratively with the PHSA Director, Media Relations & Issues Management to support media relations on issues and high-profile projects. Participates in the media on-call roster, which occasionally requires acting as initial contact with media and responding to media inquiries after hours. The Manager, Communications & Issues Management may also be required to attend media events and significant stakeholder events.

What you’ll do

• Contributes to the overall leadership of the communication function of the BCEHS as a key member of the communications team development and implementation of communications and issues management strategies.
• Advises senior and executive leadership on issues-related communication planning and facilitation, including sensitive and controversial issues. Liaises with all levels of BCEHS staff, including executives and senior leaders, program and service staff, as well as the PHSA Director, Media Relations & Issues Management, Ministry staff and other health stakeholders, to research and write issues notes and briefing materials and facilitate approvals.

• Leads, develops, evaluates and advises on communication strategies and initiatives in alignment with government priorities related to the PHSA mandate. Anticipates and tracks issues or areas of stakeholder concern and leads significant proactive and reactive issues management activity, including researching and writing media statements, backgrounders, fact sheets, Q&A documents, and other communications materials.
• Provides leadership to other communications staff through coaching, guiding and modeling key behaviours/strategies, encouraging dialogue, and providing guidance and advice to facilitate resolutions to work issues. Supports team to achieve quality outcomes and superior customer service for clients and stakeholders.

• Serves as the BCEHS central point of contact for issues management and tracking for the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Mental Health & Addiction and other Ministries, as required.
• In collaboration with the PHSA Communications & Stakeholder Engagement department, provides government relations support for activities such as the Legislative Session, including Question Period and Estimates.
• As a fully contributing member of a high performance team, supports the development and implementation of consistent and high quality communication materials for BCEHS.
• Provides support as required for media and other events, including providing advice and suggestions and writing communications and issues management documents, and acts as an initial contact for media, responds to media inquiries, and attends media and stakeholder events as required.
• Monitors a budget for communications for assigned projects. Responsibilities include monitoring budget performance, planning and adjusting operations to meet projections and annual targets, approving expenditures and preparing summaries for fiscal reporting. Approval for budget items comes from the Senior Director, Communications & Stakeholder Relations.

What you bring

Qualifications

• A level of education, training, and experience equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree in communications, political science, journalism or a related field supplemented by ten (10) years of experience in a large, multi-site unionized and/or public sector environment. Recent training/experience related to DEI and Indigenous Cultural Safety is a requirement for this role.
• Demonstrated knowledge of labour relations is an asset, as is understanding of legislative policy development and processes of various levels of government. Demonstrated leadership and managerial skills. Demonstrated ability to meet tight deadlines, work under pressure, and handle highly confidential and sensitive issues with tact and diplomacy. Demonstrated ability to research and write responses to manage issues and strategic projects. Demonstrated ability to create and execute strategic communication plans and respond to the needs of stakeholders in sensitive situations supported by acute awareness of the impact of actions. Possess outstanding interpersonal communication skills, enabling one to build positive relationships and leverage these to access, interpret and convey complex information quickly, succinctly and accurately.

Skills & Knowledge

• Awareness of and commitment to learning and understanding the Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight Report (2020), BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), and Reclaiming Power and Place Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls calls for justice, and how they intersect across the health care system.
• Supports team members on their learning journey, ensuring education strategy for team/department to implement Indigenous Cultural Safety at a practical level.
• Works collaboratively with appropriate Indigenous teams/departments to ensure ICS lens applied holistically.
• Commitment to upholding the shared responsibility of creating lasting and meaningful reconciliation in Canada as per TRC (2015) and BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019).
• As a strong asset for consideration, we are looking for our successful candidate to have: Knowledge of social, economic, political and historical realities impacting indigenous communities and familiarity with Indigenous Cultural Safety and anti-racism and accompanying reports (BC DRIPA, TRC, etc.).

What we bring

Every PHSA employee enables the best possible patient care for our patients and their families. Whether you are providing direct care, conducting research, or making it possible for others to do their work, you impact the lives of British Columbians today and in the future. That’s why we’re focused on your care too – offering health, wellness, development programs to support you – at work and at home.

• Join one of BC’s largest employers with province-wide programs, services and operations – offering vast opportunities for growth, development, and recognition programs that honour the commitment and contribution of all employees.
• Access to professional development opportunities through our in-house training programs, including +2,000 courses, such as our San’yas Indigenous Cultural Safety Training course, or Core Linx for Leadership roles.
• Enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including municipal pension plan, and psychological health & safety programs and holistic wellness resources.
• Annual statutory holidays (13) with generous vacation entitlement and accruement.
• PHSA is a remote work friendly employer, welcoming flexible work options to support our people (eligibility may vary, depending on position).
• Access to WorkPerks, a premium discount program offering a wide range of local and national discounts on electronics, entertainment, dining, travel, wellness, apparel, and more.

Job Type: Regular, Full-time
Salary Range: $96,429 - $138,617 /year. The starting salary for this position would be determined with consideration of the successful candidate’s relevant education and experience, and would be in alignment with the provincial compensation reference plan. Salary will be prorated accordingly for part time roles.
Location: 600 W 10th Ave, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4E6
Closing date: Applications accepted until position is filled
Hours of Work: 0900-1700 (Monday to Friday)
Requisition # 147432E

As per the current Public Health Order, full vaccination against COVID-19 is a condition of employment with PHSA as of October 26, 2021.

What we do

The Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA) plans, manages and evaluates specialized health services with the BC health authorities to provide equitable and cost-effective health care for people throughout the province. Our values reflect our commitment to excellence and include: Respect people – Be compassionate – Dare to innovate – Cultivate partnerships – Serve with purpose.

Learn more about PHSA and our programs: jobs.phsa.ca/programs-and-services

PHSA is committed to employment equity, encouraging all qualified individuals to apply. We recognize that our ability to provide the best care for our diverse patient populations relies on a rich diversity of skills, knowledge, background and experience, and value a safe, inclusive and welcoming environment.

Reconciliation is an ongoing process and a shared responsibility for all of us. The BC Governments’ unanimous passage of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act was a significant step forward in this journey—one that all health authorities are expected to support as we work in cooperation with Indigenous Peoples to establish a clear and sustainable path to lasting reconciliation. True reconciliation will take time and ongoing commitment to work with Indigenous Peoples as they move toward self-determination. Guiding these efforts Crown agencies must remain focused on creating opportunities that implement the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Mandate.