Regional Manager, Public Affairs

Come work as a Regional Manager, Public Affairs with Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH).

Reporting to the Regional Director, Public Affairs & Partnerships, the Regional Manager, Public Affairs is responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the VCH Public Affairs function.

In this capacity, the Regional Manager will support the timely distribution of information to public audiences, respond to enquiries from media and other key stakeholders, and serve as a key advisor to internal and external project partners on matters related to VCH Public Affairs. The Regional Manager will also help drive further development of VCH’s proactive storytelling function, collaborating with internal subject matter experts, program leadership, partner organizations, and other communications colleagues to generate a regular, strategic cadence of earned media coverage.

In terms of team management, the Regional Manager plays a central role on the Public Affairs team, providing senior guidance and strategic oversight across VCH on media relations and reputation management; coordinating VCH external communications with partner organizations; coaching team members and performance management of direct report(s); supporting ad hoc regional public affairs initiatives.

As a Regional Manager, Public Affairs with Vancouver Coastal Health you will:

• Media relations – oversee VCH’s response to media enquiries, support VCH media events (e.g., media conferences), deliver media training to VCH spokespeople, and support VCH spokespeople around media engagements.
• Issues management – oversee and support the development of VCH strategic communications products, including issues notes, speaking notes / remarks, stakeholder correspondence, key messages, etc.
• Storytelling – further develop processes, resources and materials to drive earned media coverage, launch VCH thought leadership program, help internal teams identify, plan and execute earned media opportunities.
• Inter-agency communications coordination – serve as key liaison, facilitating communications alignment between VCH Public Affairs, relevant community partner organizations and public sector agencies.
• Leadership and coaching – serve as a key leader on the VCH Public Affairs team, responsible for providing guidance and support to direct report(s) and informal coaching to team members on Public Affairs best practices.
• Incident planning and preparedness – support VCH crisis communications planning and training activities around key risk vectors and incident-specific scenarios.
• Market intelligence – stays informed of latest social, political, economic and industry-specific developments with implications for VCH Public Affairs.
• Reporting and administration – foster team growth, accountability and performance against strategic priorities and established metrics, keeping leadership informed of relevant issues and reporting on VCH Public Affairs activities.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant degree, particularly communications, marketing or journalism.
• Eight to ten (8-10) years’ progressive experience in public affairs, public relations, government relations, strategic communications, or an equivalent combination of experience and education.
• Past experience in the public sector, a unionized environment and / or the healthcare industry would be an asset.

Knowledge & Abilities

• Ability to recognize emerging issues, garner resources to manage the response to them, while demonstrating tact, diplomacy, and composure.
• Knowledge of the principals of communication.
• Knowledge of political and administrative spheres of government, and the unique needs and pressures facing each.
• Demonstrated ability to create and execute strategic communication plans.
• Demonstrated understanding of the essence and subtleties of communication in order that exchanges are understood at all levels within a complex internal and external network.
• Ability to meet deadlines, work under pressure and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Is practical, with an open, team-oriented approach to planning and managing issues and activities.
• Able to provide and seek input on issues to make decisions, and to stand by them.
• Is approachable, polite, politically sensitive, and a great listener, able to draw from individuals and audiences the information or behaviour required to meet goals and objectives.
• Uses diplomacy and a respectful posture to remain effective in dealing with a range of audiences, frequently under stressful or emotionally-charged situations.
• Ability to relate to individuals in very senior positions, and individuals in junior positions through effective listening, deference, polite assertiveness, and a sense of purpose.

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.

Apply here: https://bit.ly/3DaevdE