Manager Communications

Job Summary:

In accordance with the mission, vision, values, and strategic directions of the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA), patient and employee safety are a priority and a responsibility shared by everyone at PHSA, and as such, the requirement to continuously improve quality and safety is inherent in all aspects of this position. The Manager, Communications, BCCH Research Institute (BCCHR) is accountable for BCCHR’s communications strategy and communications activities in support of BCCHR’s strategic plan.
Reporting to the Senior Director, Administration & Operations, BCCHR, in support of the Executive Director, BCCHR, and working closely with PHSA’s Chief Communications Officer, the Manager, Communications, BCCHR is accountable for planning, implementing and evaluating communications and public affairs initiatives at BCCHR. The Manager, Communications provides counsel to BCCHR executive, administrative and scientific leadership on communications planning and facilitation; identifies and manages sensitive issues; prepares briefing notes; identifies and coaches media spokespersons; plans media events and oversees BCCHR communications materials such as the website, newsletters, news releases and other materials. In addition, the Manager, Communications works with key BCCHR investigators, staff and PHSA Communications to support BCCHR change internally and oversee the implementation of corporate identity strategies. The role contributes to creating a strong team environment by fostering trust and mutual respect, and supporting open dialogue on issues that allow for the optimization of BCCHR’s projects and strategic goals. The Manager also supports BCCHR’s efforts to continually improve on the high quality of service provided to BCCHR’s research community.
The Manager, Communications is a senior communications professional leading a communications team to provide timely advice and support to BCCHR executive, scientific and administrative leadership on all matters under its mandate. The Manager, Communications contributes to the overall communications strategy of PHSA in conjunction with other senior communications staff.

Duties/Accountabilities:

• Leads strategic communications and media relations for BCCHR consistent with PHSA overall strategic communications plans. Advises executive, leadership and spokespersons on communications opportunities and issues. Contributes to the overall leadership of the communication function of the PHSA as a key member of the communications team, participating in developing and implementing communication plans. Collaborates with members of the communication team by sharing information and proposing recommendations, which will enable the integration of all programs and services consistent with the overall strategic communications plans for PHSA.
• Plans, implements and evaluates goals and objectives for communications at BCCHR consistent with the BCCHR strategic plan and overall strategic direction of communications within PHSA. Leads analysis of the current situation and future requirements of the area, initiating the development of specific goals and objectives and setting priorities for planning and implementing strategies in conjunction with corporate communications staff, BCCHR executive and leadership.
• Oversees the day-to-day operations of the communication function at BCCHR, including compliance with PHSA policy and applicable UBC polices. Provides leadership to staff through coaching, guiding and role modeling key behaviors/strategies, encouraging dialogue and providing guidance and advice to facilitate resolutions to work issues. Assists team members to define shared and individual goals, meet target dates and ensure alignment of team goals with customer needs.
• Develops the capital and operating budget for the department. Responsibilities include monitoring budget performance, reporting variance, planning and adjusting operations and / or staffing to meet projections and annual targets, approving expenditures, and preparing summaries for fiscal reporting as required. Participates in quarterly reviews of the BCCHR budget with Senior Director, Administration & Operations contributing to the optimization of budget resources across BCCHR Administration Group.
• Reviews need for and makes recommendations for hiring decisions to the Senior Director, Administration & Operations and Executives Director. With the Senior Director, Administration & Operations’ approval, recruits, hires, and supervises staff by identifying vacancies, interviewing applicants, and making hiring decisions; investigating work and staff issues which may lead to discipline or termination in partnership with Human Resources; and clarifying roles and responsibilities, outlining expectations, and evaluating individual and team performance in collaboration with appropriate internal stakeholders and the Senior Director, Administration & Operations . Provides leadership to staff through collaborative coaching, guiding and modeling key behaviours and strategies, encouraging dialogue and providing guidance and advice to facilitate resolutions to work issues. Fosters team spirit, trust and mutual respect.
• Evaluates BCCHR Communications performance and responds to changing customer needs by conducting continuous assessments of the team’s activities, facilitating feedback within and across programs and responding to changing demands. Develops and implements quality improvement programs and initiatives for Communications consistent with the BCCHR strategic plan.
• Provides key communication advice and guidance to the BCCHR executive and leadership team including providing counsel on government relations strategies and activities to increase government awareness and support for BCCHR and to influence decisions and policies in support of PHSA and BCCHR strategic directions. Counsels members of BCCHR executive and leadership team in anticipating, managing and responding to government inquiries and complex issues.
• Seeks opportunities to profile BCCHR’s research outcomes, demonstrating return on investment for funding. Oversees creation and production of BCCHR communications materials (such as internal and external publications, website), delegates production roles such as writing and editing content, in support of BCCHR ’s communications plan and BCCHR ’s strategic plan.
• Participates in the issues management and government relations protocol for PHSA. Identifies and recommends response to media issues and media inquiries, manages media activity and responds and/or delegates responses to media inquiries and coordinates internal response, including being a spokesperson for BCCHR as required.
• Identifies and evaluates new initiatives and partnership opportunities. Communicates information and makes recommendations to the Senior Director, Administration & Operations and Executive Director, BCCHR and/or Chief Communications Officer, PHSA for evaluation and approval. Facilitates implementation of approved initiatives and monitors and takes remedial action as required. Leads other communications initiatives and implements additional communications plans and tactics to address emerging needs of BCCHR and/or PHSA.

Qualifications:

A level of education, training, and experience equivalent to a university degree in communications, journalism or a related field and a minimum of seven (7) to ten (ten) years of experience, including two (2) years of experience in a supervisory capacity.
Demonstrated knowledge of the principles of communications and marketing. Demonstrated knowledge of social marketing as applied to healthcare. Demonstrated knowledge of legislative policy development and processes of various levels of government. Demonstrated leadership and managerial skills. Demonstrated ability to create and execute strategic communication plans. Demonstrated understanding of the essence and subtleties of communications in order that exchanges are understood at all levels within a complex internal and external network. Demonstrated ability to respond to the needs of stakeholders supported by an acute awareness of the impact of actions. Demonstrated ability to problem-solve with a global perspective in order to incorporate the organization’s action for self and others that are results oriented. Demonstrated commitment to the value of continuous learning.