Job Description

:

Job Title:
External Relations Leader

Work Site:
Corporate Admin-520 W 6th


Status:
Start Date:
Hours:

Regular Full Time
As soon as possible
0800-1600
Days off: Saturday, Sunday, Statutory Holidays

Salary:
$39.77 - $57.17 per hour

Reference#:
169888-cmc

Come work as an External Relations Leader with Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH)!
Reporting to the Director, External Relations & Special Projects, the External Relations Leader is responsible for ensuring that external stakeholder and government audiences’ needs and perspectives are identified and understood, allowing them to be best incorporated into communication strategies, and thereby creating the greatest opportunity for collective health authority messages to resonate with external audiences. It is the role of the External Relations Leader to work with the Lower Mainland Communications & Public Affairs team, and other personnel from the three Lower Mainland health authorities and Providence Health Care as required, on all aspects of stakeholder planning and public awareness strategies in support of identified operational goals and priorities. Additionally, the External Relations Leader has an integral role in supporting community and public involvement, leading initiatives with government, and liaising with special interest groups to secure feedback on initiatives, services, programs, and performance. He/she will also play a role in incorporating such information in communications approaches and tools to ensure the consistent delivery of key messages to the public for on behalf of the four organizations.

The External Relations Leader is responsible for working collaboratively with other members of the consolidated External Relations team to create, implement and promote a standardized, strategic approach to external and government/stakeholder relations that enhances the reputation of the three Lower Mainland health authorities and Providence Health Care. The External Relations Leader will also have a role in leading communication on various special projects that have potential to impact internal and external audiences and that may benefit from the Leader’s expertise in reputation management, relationship building and communication planning.

As an External Relations Advisor with Vancouver Coastal Health you will:

• Serve as a contributing member of the External Relations team by acting as the primary source of information to and from government audiences, identifying issues and opportunities, assisting in development of appropriate key messages, and ensuring these messages are communicated externally to assist stakeholder understanding.
• Provide support to the three Lower Mainland health authorities and Providence Health Care in the organization, prioritization and coordination of responses to issues by seeking feedback from and sharing information with external audiences. Liaises with experts internal and external to these organizations; develops a broad understanding of important issues, and communicates messages clearly and concisely to promote awareness of initiatives and build a positive profile of the operating division and impacted health authority.
• Lead and/or participate in working groups, committees, and meetings where sensitive information must be delivered to the public, and provides input on the needs and perspectives of key audiences in order that communication tools and strategies used are relevant to key audiences.
• Support the Director of External Relations & Special Projects in the development and execution of a standardized, strategic approach to external and stakeholder/government relations across the Lower Mainland and in maintaining ongoing working relationships with senior leaders in support of that strategy.
• Respond to incoming inquiries from all levels of government (federal, provincial and municipal) by researching information about the impacted health authority or entity, liaising with Client Relations & Risk Management and other relevant departments, and providing information on specific requests while adhering to public sector policies on privacy and confidentiality.
• Participate in the development, implementation and evaluation of strategic issues management and government/community relations strategies and objectives for the three Lower Mainland health authorities and Providence Health Care. Identifies and recommends potential media and/or community opportunities, identifies appropriate external stakeholders, and helps to develop related communication strategies. Ensures quality and consistency with the philosophies and practices of the responsible health authority.
• Work collaboratively with other members of the consolidated Lower Mainland Communications & Public Affairs team to achieve consistency of service, implement standardized communication practices, and advance external and government/stakeholder initiatives that best align with the strategic priorities of the four organizations.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education & Experience

• A level of education and experience equivalent to an undergraduate degree preferably in Political Science, Communication, or Public Relations combined.
• Minimum of five (5) to seven (7) years of communication experience in public affairs, community relations, and stakeholder relations. Proven ability to work with senior executives in advancing comprehensive approaches to communications to prioritize and achieve organizational goals.
• Demonstrated skills in word processing (Word), desktop publishing (PageMaker, PhotoShop), database management (Access), presentation software (PowerPoint) and spreadsheet applications (Excel).

Knowledge & Abilities

• Proven knowledge of political and administrative spheres of government, and the unique needs and pressures facing each.
• Demonstrated ability to determine the views and perspectives of multiple audiences, and to design communications and other strategies that reflect those needs in advancing organizational goals and objectives.
• Uses well developed customer relations and problem solving abilities to lead a variety of complex and integrated service initiatives and to achieve desired results within critical timeframes.
• Recognizes emerging or hot issues, garners resources to manage the response to them, while demonstrating tact, diplomacy, and composure.
• Practical knowledge of the linkages between the public and the elected and administrative spheres of all orders of government.
• Skillfully creates and executes strategic communication plans.
• Is practical, with an open, team-oriented approach to establishing good working relationships with internal and external stakeholder groups/partners in routine and controversial situations.
• Sets priorities and is results-oriented.
• Reasonable understanding of financial forecasting, budgeting, performance tracking.
• Meets deadlines, works under pressure and manages multiple projects simultaneously.
• Provides and seeks input on issues to make decisions, and to stand by them.
• Remains calm, alert and high functioning under stressful situations.
• Handles highly confidential and sensitive issues with skill, good judgment, tact and diplomacy and carries out the duties of the position with a high degree of ethical and professional behaviour.
• Exercises strong leadership skills, instilling in external audiences the desire and confidence to work with, rather than bypass, the External Relations Leader.
• Ability to relate to staff and leadership at all levels of the organization through effective listening, deference, polite assertiveness, and a sense of purpose.

This Role Description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed and is not necessarily an exhaustive list of accountabilities, qualifications and competencies required.

As per the current Public Health Orders (Long Term Care/Seniors Assisted Living Provincial Health Officer Order and the Health Sector Order), as of October 26, 2021, all employees working for Vancouver Coastal Health must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19. Proof of vaccination status will be required.

WHY JOIN VANCOUVER COASTAL HEALTH?

VCH is a world class innovator in medical care, research and teaching, delivering service to more than one million BC residents. At VCH, we embrace thinking boldly, taking smart risks, and "going first" when we believe it will lead to the best possible outcomes for patients and their families. We invite you to join us in creating healthy lives in healthy communities by showcasing our passion for care, connection to the communities we serve and our culture of teamwork that makes VCH a great place to work.

• Comprehensive health benefits package, including MSP, extended health and dental and municipal pension plan
• Grow your career with employer-paid training and leadership development opportunities
• Wellness supports, including counselling, critical incident and innovative wellness services are available to employees and their immediate families
• Award-winning recognition programs to honour staff, medical staff and volunteers
• Access to exclusive discount offers and deals for VCH staff

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are essential to our goals of creating a great place to work and delivering exceptional care. We acknowledge and accommodate unique differences and ensure special measures are in place so that all prospective and current employees are given an opportunity to succeed.

We are committed to building a representative workforce and encourage applications reflecting diversity of sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization or ancestry, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Metis, Inuit, or Indigenous person.

Vancouver Coastal Health is proud to be recognized as one of Canada's Top 100 Employers in 2022.

Please note that a resume is required to apply to this posting.

Hours of Work may vary due to project requirements.

Only short-listed applicants will be contacted for this posting.



***Employees of VCH must apply via the Internal Application Process. Refer to the https://my.vch.ca/working-here/job-postings site for How to Apply instructions. Current VCH employees who apply to this posting using this external site will be considered as an external candidate. Seniority will not apply.***

Thank you for your interest in Vancouver Coastal Health.