Media Relations Specialist in Halifax

Company: IWK Health

Location: Halifax

Type of Employment: Temporary Hourly FT long-assignment (100% FTE) until 04/30/2027

Start Date: ASAP

Union Status: Non-union, Management/Non Union Bargaining Unit

Compensation: $31.2455 – $39.0568/hour

Closing Date: March 24, 2026 (Applications are accepted until 23:59 Atlantic Time)

IWK Health is a respected academic health sciences centre located in Halifax, Nova Scotia, providing tertiary and primary care for two million children, youth, adults and families each year across the Atlantic region. We have a team of approximately 4000 employees, physicians, volunteers and learners at sites across Nova Scotia. People build careers with IWK Health with our focus on training and mentorship opportunities. We recognize each other's talent and celebrate our successes. We collaborate in modern facilities or virtually from home, align our work to our values, and enjoy access to enhanced benefits and wellness programs.

The Opportunity:

Working closely with leaders across the organization, as well as key external partners, this role proactively supports the development and implementation of the department's communications strategy. The incumbent ensures timely and consistent messages that reflect the values and priorities of IWK Health while maintaining the organization's reputation and leadership position.

Major Responsibilities Include:

• Collaborates with leaders, physicians, staff, researchers and volunteers across IWK Health, to identify and respond to media relations opportunities in accordance with IWK's media relations policy.
• Engages with colleagues and external partner organizations such as the IWK Foundation, Dalhousie University, Nova Scotia Health Authority and Department of Health and Wellness to promote information sharing and strong working relationships.
• Supports the development of key communications pieces and prepares written content such as fact sheets, briefing notes, and newsletter stories.
• Leads the development of media releases, public service announcements and media statements.
• Manages the media centre section of the IWK website.
• Proactively pitches stories and builds relationships with reporters and media outlets to enhance the IWK's reputation on an Atlantic and national scale.
• Caresfully monitors local, national and social media to identify trends, stories or issues that could impact the IWK either positively or negatively.
• Responsible for daily media monitoring report and monthly media analysis report.
• Manages and tracks incoming media requests, flags sensitive issues, identifies appropriate spokespeople, and prepares them while working under tight deadlines.
• Supports media relations on-call functions and issues management responses.
• Delivers media training, provides coaching and counsel to spokespeople and leaders.
• Notifies relevant parties prior to media coming on site and escorts media to and from interviews.

Hours of Work: Monday to Friday 75 hours bi-weekly.

Your Qualifications:

• Post-secondary degree such as a Bachelor's degree in public relations, communications, or journalism required.
• Minimum of three years of experience within a communication environment with a focus on media relations required.
• Strong attention to detail and an ability to translate complex ideas into simple messages for a variety of audiences.
• Problem-solving skills, organizational skills, innovation and flexibility.
• Experience in issues management and public affairs an asset.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Programs, and media monitoring tools is required.
• Superior communication skills required, including verbal, written, listening, and presentation skills.
• Knowledge and ability for electronic communications (social media).
• Knowledge of website platforms, and Content Management Systems (CMS).
• Competency in other languages an asset.

Thank you for your interest in IWK Health. Please note that we only contact applicants selected for interview/testing.