Communications Specialist – Vancouver Acute

Vancouver Coastal Health • Vancouver, BC

8d • CA$35 - CA$50

About The Position

Come work as a Communications Specialist with Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH)! Vancouver Coastal Health is looking for an intermediate level communications professional to support all aspects of internal and corporate communications in the Vancouver Acute Community of Care. Apply today to join our team! Vancouver Acute Services includes Vancouver General Hospital, University of British Columbia Hospital and the G.F. Strong Rehabilitation Center. These three sites support more than 900 inpatient beds, 100,000 emergency department visits, 35,000 inpatient visits and 28,000 surgeries annually. The Communications Specialist is on the front lines of planning and executing internal communications and engagement strategies to advance local, regional and VCH-wide initiatives. The Specialist is proactive, has superior written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills and is extremely detail oriented, capable of simultaneously managing multiple projects and client expectations. The Communications Specialist has a flair for 'productive innovation', meaning they bring new ideas for content and communication approaches to the table, but uses intuition and a keen sense of observation to understand what will work for leaders, adapt on the fly, and consistently meet deadlines. When it comes to content, the Specialist does it all - from original storytelling in newsletter articles, video scripts, succinct operational communication in memos, web copy, intranet updates, social media posts and also has the skills to develop posters, invites and more. The Specialist works with the Communications Leader to provide input on communication strategies, but ultimately thrives on implementation, executing on the myriad of communication tools and tactics necessary to engage internal audiences and all the different people who are impacted by the hospital system on the issues, changes, opportunities and everyday successes happening in the world of health care. The Specialist also has outstanding customer service skills, with the ability to build rapport and trust with a broad group of internal and external stakeholders, and listen closely for insight about what clients really need in order to advance audience engagement. On daily basis, the Specialist will attend project and team meetings, coordinate special events, conduct interviews and write original copy for numerous communication channels, run down the hall to shoot a quick video or two, and liaise with colleagues to assess emerging communication priorities. The Specialist also serves as a local point person to supplement the efforts of the Public Affairs team by investigating flagging potential good news opportunities and identifying emerging issues.

Requirements

• Education or experience equivalent to an undergraduate degree in Journalism, Communications, Marketing or Public Relations.
• Five (5) years’ recent, related experience.
• Demonstrated excellent writing, editing and proofreading skills, with exemplary attention to detail.
• Demonstrated critical thinking coupled with the ability to produce effective products and campaigns.
• Demonstrated content planning skills.
• Demonstrated experience with video production.
• Demonstrated solutions-focus, positive attitude, maturity and ability to engage a variety of busy stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to plan and coordinate events and forums to advance stakeholder engagement with organizational initiatives.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to independently research, prioritize and assemble details for all aspects of a project or initiative.
• A results-oriented and enthusiastic team player who thrives on new challenges and responds nimbly to new priorities.
• Strong customer service skills to adeptly investigate client needs and negotiate communication solutions that are both cost effective and aligned with stated audience needs.
• Demonstrates flexibility and the willingness to work across individual roles to deliver collaborative communication solutions.
• Demonstrated project management skills and ability to work well under pressure to meet tight deadlines.
• Advanced computer skills in organizational electronic communication technology, publishing and web-based communications.
• Physical ability to perform the duties of the position.

Nice To Haves

• Previous experience working in health care or a public sector environment.
• Demonstrated expertise with WordPress, Adobe, InDesign, Photoshop, and MS SharePoint.

Responsibilities

• Planning and executing internal communications and engagement strategies.
• Developing content for newsletter articles, video scripts, memos, web copy, intranet updates, social media posts, posters, and invites.
• Providing input on communication strategies.
• Implementing communication tools and tactics to engage internal audiences.
• Building rapport and trust with internal and external stakeholders.
• Attending project and team meetings.
• Coordinating special events.
• Conducting interviews and writing original copy.
• Producing video content.
• Liaising with colleagues to assess emerging communication priorities.
• Investigating and flagging potential good news opportunities.
• Identifying emerging issues.
• Negotiating communication solutions that are cost-effective and aligned with audience needs.
• Working efficiently, professionally, and in a friendly manner to contribute to a team environment.
• Establishing and maintaining harmonious working relationships with colleagues.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health benefits package, including MSP, extended health and dental and municipal pension plan
• Employer-paid training and leadership development opportunities
• Wellness supports, including counselling, critical incident and innovative wellness services
• Award-winning recognition programs
• Access to exclusive discount offers and deals for VCH staff

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree