Senior Communications Officer, Primary Care

DEPARTMENT: Communications & Public Affairs

The Communications & Public Affairs Department supports the objectives of the Strategic Framework of Doctors of BC through communications with members, staff, stakeholders, government, media, and the general public. Our activities include: providing strategic communications advice to the Executive Office, Board of Directors, and departments within the organization; supporting the work of the Board and Representative Assembly; producing newsletters to members, speeches and other communications for the President, and content for the website; managing media relations, marketing/branding, and social media (Twitter and Facebook), and maintenance of the website. The Communications department also provides communications support to the Joint Collaborative Committees (JCCs), and publishes the BC Medical Journal which is sent to members ten times a year.

THE JOB: Senior Communications Officer, Primary Care

Reporting to the Senior Manager of Communications & Public Affairs, the Senior Communications Officer is responsible for internal and external communications support for primary care. The Senior Communications Officer will work with the primary care program team to gain an in-depth understanding of the program areas and the needs of family doctors to enable them to provide communications advice and support to clients. They will develop an annual communications plan and calendar of announceables tied to the program’s annual work plan, provide strategic communications advice and support, and manage content for a physician-focused website.

The Senior Communications Officer will write, edit, and produce various communications materials for physicians, health care stakeholders, the public, and media on various channels including digital/web. They will track and report KPIs to the communications team and program area, improving communications based on findings and insights from analytics, and initiating proposals for new and innovating projects as appropriate. The Senior Communications Officer will use their experience and expertise to work collaboratively with partners and stakeholders including physicians, Communications team members, and teams and leadership across Doctors of BC, the Ministry of Health, divisions of family practice, health authorities, and others. The Senior Communications Officer also provides oversight of content for our family physician membership through channels including e-newsletters, emails, and websites and mentors colleagues on producing this type of content.

WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE

Building Relationships (A:

• Maintains effective communication and collaborates significantly with peers organization-wide
• Shares ideas, issues, and opportunities with members of personal network and maintains relationships with relevant professional groups and organizations.
• Sets objectives necessary for obtaining feedback and assistance.
• Seeks referrals from others with relevant expertise and influence.

Communication For Results (A):

• Converses with, writes reports for, and creates/delivers presentations to all levels of colleagues and peer groups in ways that support problem solving, planning and consensus with business partners.
• Debates opinions, tests understanding, and clarifies judgments. Brings conflict into the open empathetically.
• Explains the context of multiple interrelated situations, asks searching, probing questions, and solicits expert advice prior to taking action and making recommendations.

Leading Self (A):

• Calms self and others during stressful times.
• Comfortably handles risk and uncertainty and is decisive in ambiguous situations. Uses setbacks in a constructive way and demonstrates a mindset of continuous learning and improvement.
• Anticipates and responds in a proactive manner to future needs that may not be obvious to others.
• Ability to adapt to ever changing workload priorities and events and effectively reprioritizing or deferring tasks in line with operational and strategic goals.

Problem Solving (A):

• Diagnoses problems using formal problem-solving tools and techniques from multiple angles and probes underlying issues to generate multiple potential solutions.
• Proactively anticipates and prevents problems.
• Devises, facilitates buy-in, makes recommendations, and guides implementation of corrective and/or preventive actions for complex issues that cross organizational boundaries and are unclear in nature.
• Identifies potential consequences and risk levels. Seeks support and buy-in for problem definition, methods of resolution, and accountability.

Strategic Thinking (I):

• Occasionally works outside established practices and procedures as required to ensure effectiveness/efficiency.
• Applies prior knowledge, models, tools, and techniques to analyze and deeply understand issues and recognize connections, patterns, and trends.
• Determines the direction and develops short-term strategies for programs that are consistent with key organizational priorities and values.
• Understands the position of Doctors of BC in the larger world context, conveying a thorough understanding of the organization’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats.

Doctors of BC Team Member:

Approaches work with a collaborative spirit recognizing we are better together. Embraces change, provides excellence in service, and is accountable for their results and helping others achieve theirs. Does the right thing, not the easy thing. Speaks openly and honestly to tackle tough challenges and enrich relationships. Balances hard work with fun and is genuinely friendly and committed to others’ wellbeing.

WHAT YOU BRING

• An undergraduate degree, specialized post-secondary diploma or certification in communications, marketing, digital communications, journalism, or a relevant discipline and three or more years of related experience; or, an equivalent level of related work experience in lieu of post-secondary education.
• Strong understanding of strategic communications planning and execution; multi-stakeholder engagement, digital communications strategy, tools and tactics; content strategy and development.
• Experience and excellent understanding of web analytics, SEO and keyword development, and reporting on KPIs.
• Strong writer with proven ability to translate complicated subject matter into accessible and engaging content.
• Excellent writing, research, and analytical skills. Ability to write, edit, and produce content for marketing communications strategies.
• Excellent organizational, project management, interpersonal, communication, problem-solving skills.
• The ability to work successfully as part of a close, collaborative team of communicators and marketers and demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with multiple stakeholder groups.
• Strong project coordination skills and ability to manage competing demands on tight timelines in a fast-paced environment.
• An interest in health care delivery and willingness to develop knowledge of the Doctors of BC vision and its work.
• Media relations skills are an asset.
• Intermediate experience with Photoshop, In-Design, and Illustrator are an asset.

To Apply: Please apply with cover letter and resume on the Doctors of BC Career Page: https://www.doctorsofbc.ca/about-us/careers

Doctors of BC thanks all applicants; however, only those selected for an interview will be notified.

Doctors of BC celebrates diversity, challenges inequality and is committed to sustaining an inclusive and diverse community. We do not discriminate against any applicant regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, socio-economic background, political beliefs and affiliations, family circumstances, or any other irrelevant distinction.