Manager, Community and Partner Relations

Durham Community Health Centre•Oshawa, ON

1d•CA$90,000 - CA$100,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Manager, Community and Partner Relations is a newly created leadership role that advances DCHC’s five-year Strategic Plan by leading community engagement, stakeholder relations, and strategic partnerships that strengthen DCHC’s reputation, expand its impact, and support improved health outcomes across Durham Region. The role focuses on developing and executing an integrated strategy for community relations, public affairs, stakeholder engagement, and partnerships. It involves building trust and meaningful relationships with community leaders, residents, health system partners, elected officials, government funders, and local organizations. The Manager ensures outreach and engagement activities align with organizational priorities, access-to-care initiatives, and long-term community health outcomes. As a visible ambassador for DCHC, the Manager promotes the organization’s mission, services, and impact while fostering partnerships that advance access, equity, innovation, and system integration across the region.

Requirements

A bachelor's degree in Public or Business Administration, Communications, Public Relations, Public Health, or a related discipline.
Minimum of 5–7 years of progressively responsible experience in communications, public affairs, stakeholder engagement, government relations, community relations, or partnership development, preferably in a healthcare or broader public-sector environment.
Demonstrated experience in community engagement, government relations, media relations, and strategic external communications.
Proven success developing and implementing integrated strategic communications and stakeholder engagement plans that support organizational objectives.
Demonstrated ability to translate complex healthcare, policy, and organizational information into clear, accessible, and compelling communications.
Experience supporting executive leaders with speeches, presentations, key messages, and stakeholder engagement activities.
Knowledge of brand management principles and experience ensuring adherence to brand standards and organizational messaging.
Inclusive leadership style with the ability to build trust, influence, and collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders, partners, and team members.
Demonstrated commitment to advancing equity, community impact, and DCHC’s mission through values-based leadership and relationship-centred practice.
Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to tailor messages for diverse audiences and channels.
Strong editing, proofreading, storytelling, and content development skills.
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and achieve results in a dynamic environment.
Results-oriented, self-directed, and adaptable, with the ability to lead effectively in a dynamic and evolving environment.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of the Ontario healthcare system, community health services, and relevant government structures is considered an asset.

Responsibilities

Lead an integrated external communications and community engagement plan that advances the following priorities: Community Engagement & Relationship Building
Develop and implement a comprehensive community engagement strategy that increases awareness of DCHC, its services, and its impact.
Build and maintain relationships with elected officials, civic and community organizations, business leaders, healthcare providers, and other key stakeholders.
Identify community needs, priorities, and engagement opportunities that inform responsive outreach, access-to-care initiatives, and population health planning.
Represent DCHC at community meetings, public forums, conferences, events, and partnership initiatives.
Public Affairs Strategy: Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with local, regional, provincial, and federal government representatives, public health agencies, healthcare system partners, community organizations, and business leaders.
Monitor government policy developments, healthcare trends, funding opportunities, and community issues that may affect organizational priorities and operations.
Support senior leadership engagement with key partners through strategic planning, relationship management, briefing materials, presentations, and speaking notes.
Ensure community outreach and engagement activities align with organizational priorities, strategic objectives, and brand positioning.
Strategic Partnerships & Programs: Support a partnership strategy that strengthens relationships with community organizations, health system partners, academic institutions, and other strategic collaborators.
Coordinate and support community health initiatives, educational programs, and outreach activities delivered through in-person, virtual, and digital channels.
Develop business cases and partnership opportunities for sponsorships, collaborative initiatives, and programs that enhance community impact, organizational visibility, and fundraising potential.
Identify and pursue opportunities to strengthen DCHC’s profile, reputation, and influence, including strategic media and public awareness initiatives.
Support philanthropic and fundraising initiatives focused on expanding programs and services to meet evolving community needs.
Knowledge Mobilization: Support community health education initiatives through accessible, evidence-informed programming delivered across multiple channels and platforms.
Collaborate with clinicians, clinical leaders, and subject matter experts to develop and implement an annual community education calendar aligned with identified health priorities.
Expand the reach and impact of educational programming through a coordinated digital engagement and knowledge-sharing strategy.
Measuring and Monitoring Impact: Support the development and implementation of evidence-based key performance indicators (KPIs) that measure the effectiveness of community engagement, partnership development, and stakeholder relations activities.
Monitor and evaluate partnership outcomes, community participation, stakeholder engagement, and reputation metrics.
Prepare regular reports, dashboards, briefing notes, and presentations for senior leadership and the Board of Directors to demonstrate progress and impact.
Team Management and Mentorship: The Manager, Community and Partner Relations leads and mentors a small team responsible for implementing the annual community engagement and stakeholder relations plan. This role works closely with the Manager, Internal Communications and leaders across the organization to align communications, engagement, and organizational priorities.