Public Relations Specialist - Jobs in Peel, ON

Job Description

Job Posting DetailsWilliam Osler Health System (Osler) is a multi-site hospital system serving 1.3 million people in one of the fastest-growing and most culturally-diverse regions in Ontario.With our new 2019-24 Corporate Strategic Plan, Going Beyond for Healthier Communities as our roadmap, we are shifting traditional thinking and re-imagining health care to help people live healthier lives, reduce chronic disease and improve access to care.At Osler, we are committed to providing safe, equitable, high-quality care in a fulfilling work environment that inspires our staff, physicians and volunteers to learn, innovate and grow. We are proud to be recognized, year after year, as one of Greater Toronto’s Top Employers and Canada’s Best Diversity Employers.Here you will work alongside a highly-committed and respected team that understands what it means to go beyond to meet the health care needs of our communities.Osler’s Strategic Communications Department is viewed as a critical enabler of the organization’s strategic priorities and the Public Relations Specialist is an integral member of this dynamic team. An exceptional storyteller, the Public Relations Specialist will use their creativity and experience in media relations and external communications to build awareness and support for Osler’s strategic priorities, and strengthen the organization’s brand. Reporting to the Senior Manager, Public Relations; the Public Relations Specialist will develop high-quality media responses, as well as guiding engaging stories and narratives that resonate with external audiences. The successful candidate has experience of media relations and issues management in a fast-paced environment – as well as highly collaborative, and will work closely with members of Osler’s Strategic Communications team, as well as teams from across the organization to enable a coordinated approach to external communications.KEY RESPONSIBILITES:Develop, implement and evaluate public relations and external communications plans including the creation and management of messages and themes in alignment with the department’s overall communications strategy and Osler’s strategic goals and priorities.Prepare responses to media enquiries, follow approval process and support media engagement to optimize external-facing communications.Lead the writing, researching and interviewing required to produce a range ofhigh-quality communications products (e.g. key messages, media releases, briefing notes, articles, blog posts, video scripts, etc.) to address and respond to the needs of diverse audiences and promote organizational programs and services in a proactive and positive manner.Using a media monitoring service, identify and monitor issues, emerging trends, and themes within the health care sector and the community Osler serves, and develop communications plans to address issues or threats, and optimize opportunities for enhanced positive media coverage/exposure.Provide thought leadership on public relations and external communications best practices and participate in strategy development within the Strategic Communications portfolio.Contribute to the department’s editorial calendar and develop content that educates audiences about the organization and its future directions, raises awareness of hospital programs and services, and promotes Osler's people, reputation and brand in a thoughtful manner.Enforce Osler’s Media Relations Policy among Osler staff, physicians and volunteers.Assist with executing events (virtual or in-person) as required.QUALIFICATIONS:Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism or similar discipline5 – 7 years of experience in public relations in a healthcare or government organization.Proven media relations experience, with ability to provide spokesperson preparation and supportSuperior writing skills and demonstrated ability to take complex, sensitive and clinical information and quickly translate it to compelling messages/copy to reach multiple and varying audiences using a variety of communication vehicles/toolsSolid knowledge of communications and public relations principles combined with exceptional attention to detailExceptional judgement and excellent critical thinking with strong organizational, research, interviewing and information-gathering skillsProofreading and editing skills a mustExperience and comfort providing strategic advice, support and services to clients across all levels of the organizationDesire to find creative solutions to barriers and turn challenges into opportunitiesAbility to think quickly and analyze complex communication issues and work on a broad scope of projects ranging from corporate-wide initiatives to single-focus projects and issuesA strong understanding of various external communication channels, tools, vehicles and products – both traditional and social/digitalTeam player, able to work collaboratively at all levels of the organization and build partnerships with cross-functional teamsStrong proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite software applications, including Outlook, Word, PowerPoint and ExcelPrepared to respond to a changing environment requiring flexibility and adaptability with respect to working hours such as evening and weekend hours when requiredCan work and travel between all hospital sites as requiredOsler values inclusivity and diversity in the workplace. We welcome and encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds. We are committed to providing accessible employment practices that are in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. (AODA). If you require an accommodation at any stage of the recruitment process, please notify Human Resources at human.resources@williamoslerhs.ca.While we thank all applicants, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Any information obtained during the course of recruitment will be used for employment recruitment purposes only, and not for any other purpose.#LI-LM1