Manager, Strategic Communications & Community Relations in Orangeville

Headwaters Health Care Centre is a dedicated team of professionals focused on providing the best care possible for our patients, families, and caregivers. We work together to care for the whole person from hospital to home. We are looking for a Manager, Strategic Communications & Community Relations to work with our Communications and Community Relations Department to help us continue in our mission to serve our community with Kindness, Accountability, Respect, and Teamwork.

Reporting to the Vice President, People Experience & CHRO, the Manager leads the Headwaters enterprise‑wide communications and community relations strategy in alignment with its mission, vision, values and strategic priorities. The role provides strategic counsel and operational leadership for internal and external communications, media and public relations, brand and digital communications, issues and crisis communications, community engagement, and executive communications. The Manager will provide leadership support to the Auxiliary volunteer program and Spiritual Care partners.

Provides strategic leadership for the Headwaters Equity, Inclusion, Diversity and Anti‑Racism (EIDA‑R) initiatives, including oversight of the committee, development and implementation of strategies, policies, education and engagement activities that foster an inclusive, equitable and respectful workplace and care environment. In partnership with the Patient Experience Office, the Manager provides communications support for patient relations, ensuring information and messaging are clear, respectful, accessible and aligned with the hospital’s patient experience commitments.

Position Responsibilities:

• Strategic Communications and Brand Leadership: Lead an integrated communications strategy that advances organizational priorities and ensures clear, accessible and consistent messaging. Oversee brand, digital, internal, executive and change communications.
• Media, Public and Issues Management: Act as the hospital’s primary media contact and lead communications for media opportunities, emerging issues, incidents and crises. Equip leaders and spokespersons with timely advice, key messages and response strategies.
• Community and Stakeholder Relations: Build trusted relationships with patients, families, community partners, government, funders and other stakeholders. Lead communications for public initiatives, events, partnerships and consultations, and advise senior leaders on reputation and engagement.
• Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility: Lead and coordinate diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility and anti‑racism priorities, including support for the IDEA Committee. Advance inclusive, culturally responsive and accessible practices through communications, education and engagement.
• Patient Relations and Patient Experience Communications: Partner with the Patient Experience Office to provide clear, compassionate, accessible and confidential communications for patients and families. Support patient feedback, service recovery, disclosure, education and engagement initiatives.
• People and Program Leadership: Lead and develop staff, set priorities and performance measures, and manage budgets, vendors, contracts and resources. Build strong partnerships and foster innovation, accountability, psychological safety and continuous improvement.
• Organizational Accountabilities: Promote patient and staff safety, follow hospital policies and legal requirements, protect confidentiality, and demonstrate sound judgment, diplomacy and Headwaters values.

Qualifications:

• University degree in communications, public relations, marketing, journalism or a related discipline. A combination of relevant education and experience may be considered.
• Minimum five to seven years of progressive related experience in corporate communications, public relations, community relations or a comparable field, including leadership experience.
• Experience in a hospital or health care environment is preferred.
• Demonstrated experience in strategic communications, media relations, issues management, stakeholder engagement, digital communications, brand management and executive communications.
• Knowledge of diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility principles and experience supporting related committees, strategies or initiatives.
• Experience supporting volunteer programs, patient relations, patient experience or community-based programs is an asset.
• Knowledge of government and public‑sector communications is preferred.
• Exceptional writing, editing and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex medical, technical and organizational information for varied audiences.
• Strategic and critical thinking, sound judgment and strong problem‑solving skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage sensitive issues, competing priorities and time‑critical communications.
• Strong relationship‑building, consultation, facilitation and influencing skills.
• Advanced project management, planning, research and evaluation skills.
• Proficiency with contemporary digital communications, content management, social media, presentation, design and office productivity tools.
• Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information with tact, diplomacy and discretion.

Hours of Work: 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday

Hiring Salary Range: $65.88 - $77.50 per hour

Headwaters Health Care Centre is an inclusive and equal opportunity employer and supports the compliance of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). If you have a need for an accommodation, please contact Human Resources so that appropriate arrangements can be made. Headwaters Health Care Centre is a smoke free facility. Smoking is not permitted on hospital properties. We thank everyone who works at or visits our hospitals for respecting this healthy initiative. We are also a scent‑free environment for all employees and visitors.