Job Description

Unity Health Toronto, comprised of Providence Healthcare, St. Joseph\xe2\x80\x99s Health Centre and St. Michael\xe2\x80\x99s Hospital, works to advance the health of everyone in our urban communities and beyond. Our health network serves patients, residents and clients across the full spectrum of care, spanning primary care, secondary community care, tertiary and quaternary care services to post-acute through rehabilitation, palliative care and long-term care, while investing in world-class research and education. The Communications and Public Affairs department is responsible for reputation management of our network, internal and external communications, branding and marketing, media relations, digital media, government and stakeholder relations and community engagement. The Senior Communications Advisor is an integral member of the Communications and Public Affairs team, striving to build Unity Health Toronto\xe2\x80\x99s local, national and international reputation as a progressive leader in the treatment of critical care, serious illnesses, community health, rehab and complex continuing care, and research and education that impact patient care.
Position profile: We are looking for an experienced, creative and highly-motivated Senior Communications Advisor to join our team. In this role, you will be responsible for developing and implementing strategic communication plans for major programs, initiatives, and projects within specific portfolios that complement the Network\'s overall communications strategy and strategic directions. You will also lead the annual strategic communication planning and development of portfolio-specific strategies and assist in establishing our annual communications strategy for Unity Health Toronto. The Senior Communications Advisor will act as an expert advisor for assigned vice-presidents and serve as point-of-contact with the Communications and Public Affairs office their key direct reports. You will work closely with our strategy and corporate side of the communications team and report to the Director of Strategic Communications.
Responsibilities:

• Build and maintain close working relationships with senior leaders of assigned client groups providing ongoing communications counsel and support.
• Serve as point-of-contact with the Communications and Public Affairs office for assigned vice-presidents and their key direct reports.
• Develop and implement focused communications plans for major programs, initiatives, and projects within specific portfolios that complement the Network\'s overall communications strategy and strategic directions.
• Provide a full range of communications support as required including but not limited to identifying and helping to coordinate media relations and social media opportunities, event planning, crisis communications and producing internal and external communications including stories and articles for publication.
• Lead the annual strategic communication planning and development of portfolio-specific strategies that align with the department\'s overarching communications strategy and corporate priorities.
• Manage external vendors.
• Assist in establishing an annual communications strategy for the Network.
• Accountable for implementation of specific components of that strategy. Work directly with CEO, executive sponsors and senior management to implement strategy.
• Develop measurement tools to evaluate impact of corporate communication strategies for assigned portfolios.
• Special projects and other duties as assigned.

• Undergraduate degree/diploma in journalism, public relations, communications, or related area.
• Minimum 5 to 7 years\xe2\x80\x99 experience required.
• Demonstrated experience in successfully developing and implementing communication strategies, public awareness campaigns, corporate communications, media relations and issues management support.
• Extensive knowledge of communications trends and ability to foresee newsworthy stories.
• Exceptional writer and editor; must have ability to ensure error free materials.
• Excellent verbal communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build relationships with a variety of internal and external stakeholders, including executives, board members, senior health media and business media.
• Results oriented, self-directed, and independent, with the ability to balance multifaceted projects and competing priorities.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure; mature judgment for assessing difficult situations.
• Excellent verbal communication skills.
• Ability to use mature judgment for assessing difficult situations.
• Results oriented, self-directed, outstanding organization and time management skills.
• High energy, flexibility and the ability to work effectively in a fast paced environment.