Job Description:

Reporting to the Vice President, Strategy, Communications and Stakeholder Relations, the Director Corporate Communications drives the strategic direction, development, implementation and evaluation of RVH's innovative communications and stakeholder engagement strategies, plans, services and products, ensuring they are aligned with RVH's MY CARE strategic priorities, goals and brand.

This highly skilled, experienced and strategic individual will oversee the development of all relevant communication plans, tools, tactics and products while engaging a variety of stakeholders, including employees, medical staff, the public, communities, government, and the media. This includes development of strategies for internal and external communications, crisis and issues management, media relations, special projects, event management, and social/digital media.

The Director is also responsible for the day-to-day direction and management of communication staff. They also play a key role in protecting and enhancing the reputation of RVH in the province and managing its risk. An effective communication, engagement and government relations strategy is especially important as RVH seeks approval for its ambitious expansion project which will see its current facility double in size while developing a new South Campus in Innisfil.

The Director will act as delegate in the Vice President's absence, providing support and counsel to the CEO and Senior Leadership Team.

Education:

• University or College degree/diploma in communications, public relations, journalism or related field

Experience:

• At least 10 years progressive experience in communications/ public relations
• At least five years leadership experience
• Healthcare communication experience preferred
• Demonstrated experience in strategic communication, media relations, published works

Competencies:

• Expert level communication skills including, writing, editing, presenting and articulating messages
• Extensive knowledge of communication principles and best practices, including evaluation methodologies
• Exceptional, demonstrated leadership skills including the ability to support, coach, mentor, energize and motivate people to achieve outcomes with annual performance targets; an effective team builder
• Results-oriented, proactive leadership style with strong decision-making and creative problem-solving skills
• Strategic, critical thinker who quickly assesses situations and complex issues and develops short-term and longer-term plans that addresses current opportunities and challenges and can quickly operationalize those plans
• Integrates risk management practices into day-to-day decisions; ability to quickly identify risk and develop communication/ engagement plans to mitigate risk
• Communicates corporate priorities and goals in a clear manner and aligns department tasks to advance organizational strategy
• Establishes clear targets and measures to track progress toward department objectives
• Ability to manage stressful issues and situations with calm, tact and diplomacy; adept at working with a wide variety of stakeholders, including the public, all levels of government and the media
• Ability to champion and communicate change amidst evolving priorities, while holding themselves and others accountable
• Has, and builds, positive external relationships key to the organization's success; conveys positive image of self and the organization to all stakeholders
• Superior organizational and demonstrated project management experience to manage complex projects and identify key stakeholders
• Broad and comprehensive understanding of healthcare issues, trends, policies, funding formulas, current government priorities, and provincial initiatives and foresight to identify, communicate and respond to challenges and opportunities
• Highly proficient in a computerized setting utilizing desktop publishing and a variety of communication tools, particularly Microsoft Word, Publisher, Excel and PowerPoint
• Good understanding of communication technology, including photography, videography, editing, social/digital media, web/HTML
• Able to meet or exceed frequent deadlines in a multi-tasking, fast-changing environment
• Budgeting skills and sound business judgment

Responsibilities:

• Develop an annual communication and engagement strategy that targets all audiences and stakeholders to advance RVH's reputation as a healthcare leader, while maintaining a strong public presence and positive brand awareness.