Media & Public Affairs/Communications Advisor, Ontario Hospital Association

Media & Public Affairs/Communications Advisor

Policy and Public Affairs

12-month Contract (Secondment opportunities are welcomed)

Target hiring range: $75,194 - $87,727

Position Profile:

The Ontario Hospital Association (OHA) serves Ontario’s hospitals and is committed to building a better  health system for patients and families. We support our member hospitals by forming strong  relationships with government stakeholders, hospital leaders, and other partners that cultivate a mutual  understanding of and shared commitment to a high-performing health system. Within this stimulating  context, the OHA is seeking a Media & Public Affairs/Communications Advisor to join its Public Affairs  team to assume responsibility for a diverse portfolio of responsibilities.

The OHA is looking for an energetic professional with political acumen and outstanding communications  skills. You will bring to this position a strong understanding of government decision-making processes  and a broad network of political and governmental contacts.

You will have a thoughtful and confident communication style that is conducive to building and  maintaining positive relationships with stakeholders and government in particular. You thrive in a fast paced environment and have a strong sense of accountability for your work and the service that you  provide to your colleagues, the organization and its members.

Your organizational, communication and relationship skills, coupled with your pragmatic and creative  approach to identifying opportunities to advance health system priorities will be key to your success.

The Position:

Reporting to the Director, Public Affairs, you will:

Develop and execute on government relations strategies, including campaign and engagement  plans, that advance the OHA's and its member's short-term and long-term health system priorities;   Lead the OHA's media relations and issues management initiatives;

Serve as a corporate communications resource to the CEO and senior OHA staff on issues as they  arise, including providing strategic counsel on handling media as required, preparing key messages,  advice to OHA members, and communications to government and health care stakeholders;

Provide strategic communications advice to the OHA’s senior team and to OHA members on a wide  variety of public affairs matters involving Ontario’s hospitals and the health system; and   Support the development of legislative/regulatory submissions and production of related  communications materials.

The Candidate:

This position requires a degree/diploma in political science, journalism, or communications (or  equivalent) and knowledge of and/or experience in government relations. Four to six years of  progressive experience in public affairs and strategic communications. Experience at Queen’s Park as  well as experience dealing with national news agencies is required. Issues management and knowledge  of the legislative process/public policy environment is required; an understanding of the health care  sector and familiarity with current health care issues is an asset. In addition to having outstanding oral  and written communication skills, the successful candidate will have strong issues management skills  and experience interacting with the government officials, external consultants, stakeholders and the  media. An excellent project manager, the successful candidate will also be creative, intuitive, team oriented, able to meet tight deadlines, and accustomed to working in a dynamic, high-pressure  environment.

The ideal candidate might be described as dynamic, positive, collaborative, persuasive, resilient, driven  and results-oriented.

The Organization:

The OHA is a not-for-profit Association. Our purpose is serving Ontario’s hospital to build a better health  system. At the OHA, our members are at the heart of everything we do. Through advocacy, learning and  engagement, labour relations and improved access to data and analytics, the OHA is enhancing the  direct services it provides to members.

Interested in helping the Ontario Hospital Association (OHA) build a better health system?

We can offer you a fulfilling role, an inspiring and creative place to work, and the chance to change the  health care system (for the better) – and oh yeah, have a lot of fun in the process. As you may know,  employee engagement is key in the success of any business, and the OHA is proud of our 99 percent  employee engagement rate.

Need more proof the OHA is a great place to work? Well, how about this… we’ve been recognized as one  of the Best Workplaces in Canada, five times, as well as Best Workplaces in Canada for Women.

In serving Ontario’s hospitals to build a better health system, the OHA is a dynamic organization offering  innovative education, tools, and practices that enable people to deliver effective, safe and efficient  health care. For more information visit www.oha.com.

To Apply:

The OHA is committed to fostering a climate of equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. We  welcome and respect the diversity of all members of our community. We welcome applications from  Black individuals and Persons of Colour, Indigenous Peoples, women, persons with disabilities,  LGBTQ2+ persons, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas within our  community. OHA is committed to fair assessment of a candidate’s abilities, and consideration for  diversity of thought, method, and experience, including non-traditional career paths. Potential  applicants are invited to submit a resume and covering letter by February 12, 2021. If contacted for an  interview, please inform us should accommodation be required.

Please visit https://ontariohospitalassociation.bamboohr.com/jobs/view.php?id=65 to apply.