Communications Strategist

Job Category: Professional Hospital Location: Newmarket ON Job Type: Temporary (Fixed Term), Full time Number of Positions: 1 Minimum - Maximum Hourly Rate: $50.53 - $60.07 Why Join Our Team? A people-first workplace environment that prioritizes belonging, wellness, and psychological safety. Hybrid, virtual, and in-person working environment (where applicable). Progressive health and dental benefit plans.

HOOPP pension plan with employer and employee premium sharing. Enhanced wellness initiatives, including virtual fitness classes and on-site gym memberships. If you are ready to embrace this exciting challenge and contribute to the success of Southlake Health, we encourage you to apply and be part of our dedicated team, making a difference in the lives of our employees and the community we serve! Southlake Health is embarking on an exciting journey to transform into a Distributed Health Network over the next decade and with it strengthen its brand positioning to champion a pride for people, place, and performance among its core audiences.

The Corporate Communications and Public Affairs team plays a vital role in this work, acting as trusted advisors, brand managers, and reputation protectors. Reporting to the Manager, Communications and Public Affairs, the Communications Strategist helps execute Southlake’s three-year communications plan, while providing communications support to priority projects throughout the organization. This role is a 12-month maternity leave contract.

What You'll be doing Monitor external trends in communications in the healthcare field, specifically around issues that impact hospitals to align communication strategies with the strategic goals of the organization. Communications ownership for key priority projects at Southlake Manage all aspects of assigned communication projects, provide strategic advice to create and implement strategic plans to achieve results, and provide measured evaluation of the success of these plans using relevant data analytics.

Accountable for positioning, promoting the Southlake brand, and supporting the organization’s priorities. Collaborate with department colleagues to implement integrated campaigns that include internal and external communications, social media, and community stakeholder engagement. Implement government relations and social media strategies to advance the organization’s priorities. Support stakeholder and government relations through research and tracking.

Develop communication plans for strategic organization-wide initiatives, and for hospital department programs and key strategic initiatives Develop a variety of internal and external written content such as articles, media stories, collateral, web content, and social media content  Use data analytics to support strategic communications advice and measure the effectiveness of communications strategies.

What You'll bring: University degree, college diploma or certificate in Public Relations, Communications, Journalism or other related fields Minimum of 3 to 5 years’ experience working in corporate communications, public affairs or public relations Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills, including a demonstrated ability to work with diverse individuals and groups from frontline staff to members of the management and senior teams Demonstrates good judgement and discretion Proven ability to effectively manage time and work on several projects simultaneously Ability to research projects extensively Experience using data to support decision making and strategic communications advice Demonstrates excellence in communication, both written and verbal, with strong attention to detail Analysis / problem assessment Innovative and willing to learn Demonstrates leadership through critical-thinking to counsel senior management Healthcare, media relations and government relations experience are considered assets.

Southlake Health is fully committed to a culture of belonging and an inclusive environ