Strategic Internal Communications Lead

Join Northeastern Ontario’s Health Care Leaders!

Health Sciences North is an organization dedicated to being patient and family focused, digitally enabled, and socially accountable, while supporting and developing our people and advancing our academic and research impact for Northeastern Ontario. We pride ourselves on being a learning hospital, providing professional development opportunities for our staff.

Health Sciences North (HSN) is seeking an innovative individual for the position of Strategic Internal Communications Lead to Implement innovative internal communication strategies, ensure alignment with HSN’s mission, and foster a culture of quality, transparency and collaboration. Oversee internal communication initiatives that build an informed and engaged culture, rooted in excellence, while inspiring staff across the organization.

The ideal candidate will have a minimum of a three (3) year Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, or arelated field from an accredited institution. We are looking for someone with a minimum of five (5) years experience in leading organizational communications strategies and projects. Candidates that possess Experience in healthcare communications or a hospital environment is are preferred.

If you enjoy working in a fast-paced, team environment and are looking for a rewarding career opportunity, you are encouraged to view the full job description on the HSN Careers Website.

At HSN/HSNRI, we prioritize the physical and psychological wellness of all our staff through a variety of initiatives, aimed at creating a supportive and engaging workplace. Our Wellness Committee actively promotes health and well-being offering tips and resources to support wellness of our staff. We pride ourselves on recognizing our dedicated team members through Years of Service Celebrations and Excellence in Action Awards, celebrating outstanding achievements across the organization. We host Employee & Medical Staff appreciation events, and celebrations throughout the year, fostering a sense of community. Leadership development training is available to staff as well as an education fund, ensuring. Our people are our number one asset.

HSN provides support through our Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP), which is available for all HSN staff and family members regardless of status, position, affiliation, etc.

HSN INCENTIVES

We offer a competitive salary and vacation, extended health and dental benefits, and relocation allowance to assist with moving expenses. In addition, there may be additional monetary incentives available upon hire.

We are proud to participate in the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP), offering our valued employees the security and peace of mind that comes with a defined benefit pension plan. We understand the importance of financial well-being and believe that a strong pension, like HOOPP, recognizes our employees and provides a stable foundation for their future as part of the overall compensation package. HOOPP is also a multi-employer pension plan, meaning it can be transferred between many organizations in the province.  Join us and start building a future you can look forward to. For every dollar an employee contributes to HOOPP, the employer (HSN) contributes $1.26, meaning the plan is 55% funded by the employer, and 45% funded by the employee. All employees are eligible to join immediately upon hire.

Interested applicants are asked to apply directly to requisition #7530 on the HSN Careers Website at https://careers.hsnsudbury.ca/.

KEY FUNCTION: 

Implement innovative internal communication strategies, ensure alignment with HSN’s mission, and foster a culture of quality, transparency and collaboration. Oversee internal communication initiatives that build an informed and engaged culture, rooted in excellence, while inspiring staff across the organization.

REPORTING: 

Under the general direction of the Manager, Communications, Branding and Marketing.

DUTIES:

1. Develop, lead and implement internal communications strategies focussed on building a cohesive and supportive team culture across HSN and Health Sciences North Research Institute (HSNRI) and HSN Foundation.
2. Work with leaders, teams and departments to implement staff engagement strategies and best practices across the hospital which are aligned with HSN’s vision, mission and values.
3. Supervise and manage employees while overseeing project assignments, work requests and foster collaboration, creativity and accountability.
4. Oversee and manage content management strategies for HSN’s Hub and internal communications channels.
5. Collaborate with IT on moving the organization to Sharepoint 2.0.
6. Write, edit and produce content for internal communications channels (i.e. intranet, brochures, websites, emails, staff updates and reports) and ensure accuracy and clarity.
7. Ensure all internal communication material is in compliance with Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and French Language Services Act.
8. Promote staff recognition and wellness initiatives through strategic communications; plan and execute internal events (i.e. town halls, staff briefings, and milestone celebrations).
9. Develop tools and templates, based on best practices, to assist leaders to communicate effectively with their teams.
10. Collaborate with IT and other departments to improve digital tools for information sharing and employee engagement.
11. Act as the Communications lead for various department initiatives/projects targeted to staff as required.
12. Lead internal communications during organizational changes or crises; develop and execute strategies to manage sensitive or urgent internal communications.
13. Work closely with the External Communications team to align strategies and ensure cohesive messaging.
14. Coordinate with departments across HSN to support communication needs for projects and initiatives.
15. Ensure alignment of internal communications with fundraising content produced by HSN Foundation.
16. Develop key performance indicators to measure the impact of internal communication efforts; use data and employee feedback to evaluate and refine strategies and approaches.
17. Provide regular reports to the Manager and Senior Management on internal communication outcomes.
18. Develop annual budgets and assume fiscal accountability of the departmental operation according to approved budget
19. Oversee the work of others in compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA), its regulations, and HSN policies.
20. Determine and align improvement projects with HSN’s Strategic Plan; monitor and adjust to achieve goal outcomes.
21. Participate in the accreditation process and work to ensure that the program and HSN achieve, maintain and continually improve upon their accredited status.
22. Teach, coach and lead staff in the development and monitoring of quality indicators and improvement initiatives.
23. Engage in and foster professional development of all staff and provide opportunities for learning within budgeted resources.
24. Ensure a safe environment for patients, staff and visitors; investigate, report, debrief and take or direct corrective action as required on incidents.
25. Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders/organizations/community groups to achieve program objectives, integrate and link services and foster partnerships across the continuum of service delivery.
26. Participate in education and training specific to current, relevant federal and provincial health and safety legislation, standards and guidelines.
27. Represent the department or program on various committees and in meetings as required. 
28. Perform other duties as required. 

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION AND TRAINING: 

1. Minumum of a three (3) year Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, or a related field from an accredited institution.
2. Ministry of Labour “Worker Health and Safety Awareness in 4 Steps” training certificate is required.

EXPERIENCE: 

1. Minimum five (5) years experience in leading organizational communications strategies and projects.
2. Experience in a supervisory or leadership role is required.
3. Experience in healthcare communications or a hospital environment is preferred.

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES: 

1. Demonstrated strong knowledge of best practices in internal communications and engagement strategies, branding, marketing, and stakeholder engagement.
2. Demonstrated proficiency in content management systems (CMS), social media platforms, and analytics tools.
3. Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects in a high-pressure, fast-paced environment.
4. Demonstrated knowledge of Ontario’s Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and French Language Services Act.
5. Demonstrated knowledge and proficiency in Sharepoint.
6. Demonstrated experience with graphic design tools and platforms (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite) is preferred.
7. Demonstrated abilitity to be a strategic thinker with a creative approach to problem-solving.
8. Proven ability to develop, monitor, administer and report on budgets.
9. Demonstrated ability to coach, advise and teach others using the principles of adult learning.
10. Demonstrated training, experience or utilization of quality improvement methodology for process improvement.
11. Demonstrated ability to independently identify issues, plan improvements, measure success and continue improvement.
12. Demonstrated knowledge of relevant legislation and principles of management, hospital committee structure, conflict management and resolution, system needs analysis and organizational assessment.
13. Demonstrated excellent computer skills with proficiency in Microsoft Office software (e.g. Word, Excel, Power Point and Outlook) and patient information systems.
14. Demonstrated superior interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal.
15. Demonstrated commitment to the safety of co-workers and patients.

PERSONAL SUITABILITY: 

1. Successful Criminal Record Judicial Matters Check (CRJMC) is required.
2. Demonstrated commitment to ongoing professional development.
3. Demonstrated professionalism in dealing with confidential and sensitive issues.
4. Ability to use tact and discretion in dealing with health care providers and employees.
5. Demonstrated positive work record and excellent attendance record.
6. Ability to meet the physical and sensory demands of the job.
7. Ability to travel between local sites.

Selection Process:  Candidates will be selected for this position on the basis of their skill, ability, experience and qualifications as identified in the resume and completed Application Form submitted. The Hospital reserves the right to conduct a formal interview where required.
 

Health Sciences North is committed to providing accommodations to applicants with disabilities to enable their participation in the recruitment, assessment, selection and hiring stages of employment.

HSN THANKS ALL APPLICANTS.
ONLY THOSE SELECTED FOR INTERVIEWS WILL BE CONTACTED.
WE WILL NOT ACCEPT APPLICATIONS AFTER THE CLOSING DATE AND TIME.