Job Description

Staff - Non Union
Job Category M&P - AAPS
Job Profile AAPS Salaried - Information Services, Level A
Job Title Communications Specialist
Department Research Services | BC Children's Hospital Research Institute | Faculty of Medicine
Compensation Range $5,791.00 - $8,323.42 CAD Monthly
The Compensation Range is the span between the minimum and maximum base salary for a position. The midpoint of the range is approximately halfway between the minimum and the maximum and represents an employee that possesses full job knowledge, qualifications and experience for the position. In the normal course, employees will be hired, transferred or promoted between the minimum and midpoint of the salary range for a job.
Posting End Date October 10, 2025
Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.
Job End Date April 30, 2026
This offer is conditional upon successful completion of a Criminal Record Check.
6 month term, with the possibility of extension.
At UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career.
Job Summary
The BC Children's Hospital Research Institute (BCCHR) is located at the BC Children's Hospital. The research community based at the BCCHR is comprised mostly of UBC faculty, staff, and students. The Communications Specialist provides public information and communications services to the team at BC Children's Hospital Research Institute (BCCHR). This role involves strategic planning, content development, and internal and external communications that support the Institute's mandate to improve child health through research.
Organizational Status
This position reports to the Communications Manager of BCCHR.
Work Performed
Strategic Communications and Planning
Collaborates in planning, coordinating, and implementing the annual communications and contributes to the development of strategies aligned with the Institutes' strategic goals.
Leads communications projects, including planning, execution, evaluation, and budget management.
Collaborates with other departments, research groups, and administrative teams to align messaging and strategy.
Content Creation and Editorial Oversight
Writes and edits content for diverse audiences, including researcher profiles, Q&A's, web articles, new releases, newsletters, reports, external review, and institutional documents.
Translates complex health and scientific research in accessible, engaging language for non-specialist audiences.
Maintains the editorial calendar and develops story ideas for the digital and print platforms, including the BCCHR website, Research Hub intranet.
Media and Public Relations
Contributes media relations by coaching spokespersons, developing and executing media events, and drafting media materials.
Supports social media strategy and execution in collaboration with the wider communications team.
Collaboration and Consultation
Provides consultative services to internal stakeholders on communications best practices, audience engagement, and tone.
Supports onboarding and training of new communications team members.
Special Projects and Administrative Support
Coordinates non-digital communications initiatives, materials, and vendors events as requited.
Consequence of Error/Judgement
This role engages with faculty, staff, partners, stakeholders, and internal and external media. The ethics and integrity, as well as the quality and accuracy of communications materials produced by the individual in this position are critical to BCCHR. Inappropriate or inaccurate statements may seriously affect the image and reputation of BCCHR, individual investigators, and UBC. This role requires the ability to exercise discretion and decision-making in the planning and execution of communications projects.
Supervision Received
Works independently within established institutional and departmental guidelines.
Performance is evaluated based on the successful completion of defined goals and deliverables.
Supervision Given
Oversees the work of external service providers and contractors.
Provides informal leadership or mentorship to junior staff or student assistants.
Minimum Qualifications
Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. Minimum four years of related experience, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one's own
- Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one's own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion
Preferred Qualifications
Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline (e.g., Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, or a related discipline).
Experience in science writing or health research environments is a strong asset.

Skills Required