Job Description

Why Fraser Health?:
Fraser Health is responsible for the delivery of hospital and community-based health services to over 1.9 million people in 20 diverse communities from Burnaby to Fraser Canyon on the traditional territories of the Coast Salish and Nlaka’pamux Nations. Our team of 43,000 staff, medical staff and volunteers is dedicated to serving our patients, families and communities to deliver on our vision: Better health, best in health care.

Effective October 26, 2021, all new hires to Fraser Health will need to have full COVID 19 vaccination (have received a full series of a World Health Organization “WHO” approved vaccine against infection by SARS-COV-2, or a combination of approved WHO vaccines). Please note this applies to all postings, and individual medical exemptions must be approved by the Provincial Health Officer.

Do you thrive in an environment that is always changing, where every day can present a new challenge for you to solve? If so, join our diverse Public Affairs team where you will represent one of Canada’s largest and fastest-growing health authorities.

As a Senior Consultant, Public Affairs you will manage high-profile, breaking issues in a transparent, ethical manner. You will build relationships with your colleagues to create pathways to information and enjoy managing key partners and generating consensus.

We are seeking a highly motivated individual with experience and passion for team work and collaboration but can get down to business independently. If you are undaunted by adversity, are a natural self-starter and like nothing more than learning something new every day then this is the role for you!

Build on your education and career experience as you:

• Developing and recommending strategic communications and/or promotional plans; carrying these plans forward from the goal-setting through to the creative solution including the implementation and evaluation stages.
• Developing media action plans including setting objectives, coordinating appropriate internal spokespeople and interview opportunities, preparing key messages and news releases; determining appropriate media outlets, pitching and evaluating media results.
• Developing relationships with reporters based on trust and acting as one of a group of spokespeople for the organization.
• Managing complex issues on tight deadlines while being conscious of multiple partner perspectives.
• Coordinating events while working closely with government and community partners.

To join our award winning team, we will look for you to have:

• Degree in Communications, Public Relations or a related subject area such as Journalism.
• Five (5) to seven (7) years of recent, related experience in a communications or public affairs role in a public sector, health care or a large complex organization.
• Proficiency in other language(s) is an asset.

An equivalent combination of education, training and experience may be considered.

This permanent full time position is based at our Central City offices in Surrey, BC, with access to rapid transit, shopping, restaurants, on-site gym and other amenities.

If this sounds like the excellent role for you, here are more reasons why you should apply:

• A career that offers you the opportunity to work in a fast growing and exciting organization with health care providers who are excellent in their respective fields.
• Fantastic opportunities for support and management roles are available as you advance within the organization.
• Competitive salary package, including comprehensive health benefits coverage.
• A chance to create a difference every day in the world of health care.

Take the next step in your career and make a difference in the communities we serve! Apply today, so we can continue the conversation.

We value diversity in the work force and seek to maintain an environment of respect, caring and trust. Detailed Overview: Supporting the Vision, Values, Purpose and Commitments of Fraser Health: Provides strategic and tactical media-relations and communications guidance to Fraser Health (FH) Executives, Directors and Managers and other internal stakeholders; develops, plans, implements and evaluates media-relations and communications strategies and tactics that support FH-wide programs and initiatives; plans, delivers and evaluates media-related projects, proactive and reactive media relations and the public; evaluates media coverage from various mediums; writes/produces various internal and external communication materials; explains FH programs, service initiatives and issues to the general public via public accessible media; acts as media spokesperson for Fraser Health. Responsibilities:

• Plans and delivers strategic and tactical media relations and communication activities to build, maintain and enhance public awareness and understanding of FH programs, services and initiatives; facilitates understanding of important issues and opportunities; promotes a positive corporate image.

• Determines appropriate media-relations planning/management processes for publicly accessible media, advertising and other means of communicating with the public; sets and develops objectives and appropriate plans of action; completes assignments through review and use of confidential materials; demonstrates a high level of judgement, independent thinking and initiative when contacting/communicating with the media; exercises discretion when in possession of confidential information which may impact the employment lives of staff such as an organization and/or systems redesign, redevelopment or decommission of existing facilities and/or labour adjustments.

• Provides media-relations consultation to FH Executives, Board Members, Directors, Managers and other internal stakeholders to conducts appropriate supporting research and analysis; assesses media reports and develops, implements and evaluates media communication strategies.

• Develops and delivers media communications and/or promotional plans for authority-wide or local programs, including health promotion/prevention and awareness; carries these plans forward from goal setting through to creative solution including the implementation and evaluation stages; considers factors such as audience characteristics, corporate vision and strategy, available budget/resources and sensitive, confidential issues.

• Plans and coordinates media publicity for regional and authority-wide activities, events and programs to promote a positive corporate image and organizational strategies; develops media action plans including setting objectives, selecting, coordinating and briefing appropriate FH spokespeople for interview opportunities; maintains regular contact with key media leaders; prepares key messages and news releases; determines appropriate media outlets and evaluates results.

• Participates in the development, implementation and evaluation of departmental goals, guidelines, objectives, policies and procedures; collaborates with the Communications team in the fulfilment of strategic communication goals; liaises with counterparts at other health care agencies, health authorities, various levels of government and partner agencies to ensure consistent messaging and common approaches; develops and translates guidelines strategies and plan developed by FH in implementing media relations strategies and practice.

• Provides leadership to the Communications team through coaching, guiding and modeling key behaviours/strategies encouraging dialogue; advises and facilitates resolution to work issues related to media relations in FH.

• Plays an assigned media relations role to ensure effective, timely messaging to the public and media during times of potential public health crises, natural disasters and other emergencies, as defined by FH's emergency management plan.

• Carries a media pager (shared with members of the public affairs team) as assigned; responds promptly to media inquires and delivers appropriate service to media callers.

Qualifications: Education and Experience

University degree in Communications, Public Affairs and/or related discipline, plus five (5) to seven (7) years' recently related media/public relations experience within a large complex work environment such as a healthcare organization, or an equivalent combination of education, training, experience.

Skills and Abilities
LEADS Capabilities Leads Self
Self Awareness: Is aware of own assumptions, values, principles, strengths and limitations.
Manages Self: Takes responsibility for own performance and health.
Develops Self: Actively seeks opportunities and challenges for personal learning, character building and growth.
Demonstrates Character: Models qualities such as honesty, integrity, resilience and confidence. Engages Others
Fosters the Development of Others: Supports and challenges others to achieve professional and personal goals.
Contributes to the Creation of a Healthy Organization: Creates an engaging environment where others have meaningful opportunities and the resources to fulfill their expected responsibilities.
Communicates Effectively: Listens well. Encourages open exchange of information and ideas using appropriate communication media.
Builds Effective Teams: Facilitates an environment of collaboration and cooperation to achieve results. Achieves Results
Sets Direction: Inspires vision. Identifies, establishes and communicates clear and meaningful expectations and outcomes.
Strategically Aligns Decisions with Vision, Values and Evidence: Integrates organizational mission, values and reliable, valid evidence to make decisions.
Takes Action to Implement Decisions: Acts in a manner consistent with the organizational values to yield effective, efficient public-centered service. Demonstrates business acumen by efficiently and effectively identifying and managing human, capital, financial and information resources.
Assesses and Evaluates Results: Measures and evaluates outcomes. Holds self and others accountable for results achieved against benchmarks. Corrects course as appropriate. Develops Coalitions
Builds Partnerships and Networks to Create Results: Creates connections, trust and shared meaning with individuals and groups.
Demonstrates a Commitment to Customers and Service: Facilitates collaboration, cooperation and coalitions among diverse groups and perspectives to improve service.
Mobilizes Knowledge: Employs methods to gather intelligence. Encourages open exchange of information. Uses quality evidence to influence action across the system.
Navigates Socio-Political Environment: Is politically astute. Negotiates through conflict. Mobilizes support. Systems Transformation
Demonstrates Systems/Critical Thinking: Thinks analytically and conceptually; questions and challenges the status quo to identify issues, solve problems and design and implement effective processes across systems and stakeholders.
Encourages and Supports Innovation: Creates a climate of continuous improvement and creativity aimed at systematic change.
Strategically Oriented to the Future: Scans the environment for ideas, best practices and emerging trends that will shape the system.
Champions and Orchestrates Change: Actively contributes to change processes that improve health service delivery. Professional/Technical Capabilities

• Demonstrated skill and ability in journalistic business writing and the creation of compelling articles.
• Demonstrated ability to plan and write a broad range of exceptional copy in a variety of media.
• Demonstrated ability to manage projects on budget and on a deadline.
• Ability to supervise.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively as a high performance team.
• Strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to work effectively as an internal media relations consultant.
• Ability to build strategic alliances with both internal and external stakeholders including representatives of the media.
• Demonstrated ability to problem-solve and resolve conflicts.
• Demonstrated adherence to ethical, professional and respectful behaviour.
• Thorough knowledge and understanding of the mastery of communication concepts, best practices and technical skills required for effective communication with media, patients, families and others involved in and/or receiving health care and services.
• Demonstrated experience in working with sensitive and confidential materials.
• Demonstrated skill and proficiency in electronic communication technology and web-based the use of personal computers, including related word processing, PageMaker and other desktop publishing and computer graphics software.
• Physical ability to perform the duties of the position.