Vacancy Detail

ONA


Job Title: Communications Specialist
Status: Temporary Full Time (18 Month Contract)
Department: Corporate Communications
Program: Communications
Days; 8 Hour Shifts (Subject to Change)
Location: Lakeridge Health Whitby, ON - Corporate Office
Wage Schedule: $39.090 - $52.130 per hour
Posting Reference: 2600001161

Lakeridge Health is more than a hospital. It is a health network that includes five hospitals, a long-term care home, a community-based surgical centre, and more than 30 community sites across the Durham Region. Guided by our vision of One System. Best Health. and supported by a dedicated team of nearly 9,000 staff, physicians, and volunteers, Lakeridge Health is a place where the best people want to start, grow, and finish their careers in health care. We are focused on fostering an environment that’s inclusive, compassionate, innovative, and joyful. This is Lakeridge Health!

This position is open to all qualified ONA staff throughout Lakeridge Health commencing 5 May 2026 and closing at 11:59 pm on 12 May 2026.

Reporting to the Manager, Internal and Corporate Communications, the Communications Specialist is an integral member of the Strategic Communications team and plays a key role in supporting both internal and external communication efforts across the organization. A highly motivated, exceptionally organized, and technically savvy individual, the Communications Specialist is responsible for providing end-to-end communications support.

The candidate will support Lakeridge Health's communications through research, writing, presentation development, event logistics, and development of content for a variety of platforms, including digital and social media.

In the fast-paced health-care environment, the Communications Specialist must be flexible, able to work independently, as well as in a team setting, meet deadlines, and manage complex, competing, and multiple priorities.

The ideal candidate thrives on collaborating with clients and colleagues to develop and execute successful communication strategies, and is motivated by the Lakeridge Health values of Inclusion, Compassion, Innovation, Teamwork, and Joy.

Responsibilities:

" Support the execution of communications plans that are aligned with and in support of Lakeridge Health's strategic plan and annual business plan.
" Create compelling content that can be shared across all platforms that are tailored to targeted audiences.
" Monitor media coverage and conduct/distribute daily media scans.
" Oversee communications campaigns and assist with event logistics, including liaising with external vendors, as required.
" Prepare/develop social media content, provide ongoing evaluation, and performance-related data related to various campaigns.
" Prepare/develop and post online content for the Lakeridge Health website and intranet, ensuring compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA).
" Work with other members of the Strategic Communications team to proactively identify issues, work with partners to mitigate risks, and establish effective communications responses.
" Support the development and implementation of internal communications plans and materials, including e-bulletin content, memos, FAQs, briefing notes, presentations, etc.
" Support and maintain relationships with key community and internal partners.
" Support the Lakeridge Health brand by ensuring consistency with visual identity, brand, and communication guidelines and uphold the organization's reputation through strong proactive and reactive communications approaches.
" Other duties as required.

Requirements:

" Successful completion of a degree/diploma from an accredited educational institution in a relevant discipline e.g., Communications, Public Relations, Journalism.
" A minimum of 3-5 years recent and related experience at a specialist level working in a complex, fast-paced organization; experience supporting communications for large projects or change initiatives
" Outstanding written communications skills, including the ability to appropriately tailor messages for identified target audiences.
" Excellent proofreading and editing skills.
" Excellent research, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
" Strong organization and project management skills.
" Strong attention to detail to produce content that is accurate and error-free.
" Ability to comprehend and translate complex information into plain language for a lay audience.
" Client-focused with the ability to work with diverse individuals and groups (i.e., front-line staff, physicians, leadership, volunteers, and Foundation teams).
" Ability to maintain confidentiality when working with sensitive information and materials.
" Excellent problem-solving skills, including the ability to think strategically and critically.
" Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to establish strong and collaborative relationships with internal colleagues at all levels and external stakeholders.
" Strong ability to prioritize, multi-task, and manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
" Excellent team player and able to work independently with direction.
" Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office. Experience with creative/media/graphic design applications, such as Adobe suite of products and Canva platform, an asset.
" Experience working in health care an asset.
" Ability to travel between Lakeridge Health hospitals and community sites, as required.
" Must have a satisfactory performance record;
" Demonstrated commitment to our core values of Inclusion, Compassion, Innovation, Teamwork and Joy;
" Demonstrated understanding of and commitment to Lakeridge Health's comprehensive safety programs and practices including staff safety, patient safety and environmental safety and participation in regular in-service education in this area;



Accommodation will be provided in all parts of the recruitment and assessment process in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). If you require any accommodation at any point during the application and hiring process, please contact recruitment@lh.ca .

Unless specifically stated, all job postings at Lakeridge Health are to fill existing vacancies within our organization. Lakeridge Health may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools as part of the recruitment and screening process. A member of our Talent Acquisition team is actively engaged in the Recruitment and Selection process to ensure a fair and thorough assessment of applicants.

Lakeridge Health thanks all those who apply, however, only candidates considered for an interview will be contacted.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

The terms and conditions of employment are in accordance with the Collective Agreement between the Hospital and the Ontario Nurses Association (RN Bargaining Unit Local 051).

Successful External applicants must provide a satisfactory Criminal Investigation Reference for the vulnerable sector, dated within the past six (6) months.

Lakeridge Health is committed to providing a safe and healthy work environment for all team members and patients. New Lakeridge Health team members will be required to complete a Pre-employment Health Assessment as a condition of employment.