Vacancy Detail

Senior Director, Communications

Location: Lakeridge Health
Status: Full Time
Program: Corporate Communications
File Number: 1700001999

This position is open to all qualified staff throughout Lakeridge Health Corporation from November 15, 2017 and closing at 11:59 pm on November 29, 2017.

About Us:

Lakeridge Health is one of Ontario's largest community hospitals, serving people across Durham Region and beyond. With five hospital sites and four Emergency Rooms, we serve a diverse population. Our dedicated team of health care professionals give their all every day to keep improving the quality of care delivered, drive down wait times, and improve results.
Lakeridge Health (LH) is driven by an ongoing commitment to continually improve the services it provides to best meet the needs of our community. LH continues to build on its strength as a caring and innovative partner in health care for Durham Region. Supported by more than 5,000 staff members, 700 physicians and thousands of volunteers, Lakeridge Health has an annual budget of more than $650M.

Position Description:

The Senior Director, Strategic Communications is responsible to help position Lakeridge Health as Canada's leading acute health care system among internal and external stakeholders. This includes accountability for the development, promotion, and protection of Lakeridge Health's reputation and brand, providing overall strategic leadership, direction and guidance for all communications and public relations activities and aligning communications with corporate business strategy.
The Senior Director plays an integral leadership role, fostering strong partnerships with the Executive Team and key internal and external stakeholders (including government officials, partners and the public) to plan, design, and implement activities aimed at enhancing the organization's visibility and public profile in line with the overall strategic
Leading a small team, the role has accountability for corporate communications, government, media and community relations and digital and social media.

The Ideal Candidate:

Our ideal candidate is committed to the Lakeridge Health values: Compassion, Trust, Innovation and Courage, and has the ability to demonstrate those positively and proactively with our patients, community, and colleagues in everyday performance and interactions.
In addition, our ideal candidate is a strategic and innovative professional with strong leadership skills who is results oriented, and has had significant success in developing and directing strategic communications, aligning corporate business strategy and communications materials and plans, community development and building brand to elevate reputation.
This position reports directly to the Executive Vice President, Chief Transformation Officer

Qualifications:

* Undergraduate Degree in Communications, Journalism, Marketing or related discipline required
* 10+ years progressive experience in hospital public relations, media relations, crisis communications and issues management.
* Highly strategic with the ability to prioritize, multi-task and work with singular focus and little direction.
* Excellent communications, interpersonal and exemplary verbal and writing skills.
* Strong team player and ability to work effectively in team environments.
* High level of administrative skills, including critical thinking, strategic planning research, project management, special events planning and coordination, time management and problem-solving skills.
* Must have an excellent ability to manage multiple and complex demands simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
* Demonstrated high-level of customer service and interpersonal skills needed, including ability to work with diverse individuals and groups (i.e. front-line staff, physicians, Senior Management team, volunteers, Foundation, Board of Directors, community residents).
* Strong media relations background, with exemplary understanding of and experience with various media (local and national).
* Knowledge of communications and community relations in a community health setting.
* Strong understanding of government structures and legislation (as they relate to the health care industry).
* Experience in building an online media platform, as well as a solid understanding of electronic and traditional production processes.
* Must have an excellent ability to comprehend and translate medical and technical terminology into appropriate grade level language suitable for lay audiences.
* Ability to travel between sites as required. Vehicle is necessary.
* Demonstrated commitment to our core values of Compassion, Innovation, Courage and Trust
* Demonstrated understanding of and commitment to Lakeridge Health's comprehensive safety programs and practices including staff, patient and environmental safety and participation in regular in-service in this area; and
* Proven good attendance record with capability of maintaining this same standard

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

The terms and conditions of employment are in accordance with Lakeridge Health's policies and procedures.

Lakeridge Health thanks all applicants, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Accommodation will be provided in all parts of the recruitment and assessment process as required under Lakeridge Health's Employment Accommodation policy. Applicants need to make their needs known in advance.