Job Description

Position: Chief Communications Officer

Status: Permanent Full Time

Department: Communications and Public Affairs

Posted Date: August 29th, 2024 – Sept 13th, 2024

Base Rate: $147,000 – $221,000 (salary band placement commensurate with experience)

A New Kind of Health Care for a Healthier Community. That’s our mission at Trillium Health Partners (THP), one of the largest community-based acute care facilities in Canada. Comprised of the Credit Valley Hospital, the Mississauga Hospital, and the Queensway Health Centre, along with several satellite locations, THP serves the growing and diverse populations of Mississauga, West Toronto, and surrounding communities, and is a teaching hospital affiliated with the University of Toronto.

In 2021, THP announced Trillium HealthWorks, the largest health infrastructure renewal in Canada’s history that will help shape the future of health care for our community and beyond. In addition to stronger community partnerships, Trillium HealthWorks will mean building The Peter Gilgan Mississauga Hospital, and expanding the Queensway Health Centre to become The Gilgan Family Queensway Health Centre. But it is much more than that. Trillium HealthWorks means working together with our community and partners to reinvent health care to make it work for everyone, leaving no one behind.

If you are a strategic communications and public affairs leader with a proven track record of leading change, thrive within complex, fast-paced environments, are committed to advancing equity, diversity and inclusion within the workplace, and are motivated to improve the health of the community, consider joining our Better Together team.

Overview:

The Chief Communications Officer (CCO) will help advance THP’s strategic plan through the development and execution of a comprehensive corporate communications strategy.

Reporting to the Vice President, Corporate Strategy & Communications, the CCO will grow THP’s brand presence on a local and regional level; evolve the communications portfolio to meet the changing needs of the organization; work closely with professional staff, staff and clinical leaders to shape a compelling narrative of compassion, excellence and courage that defines the work happening at THP every day; foster and support strong partnerships with media, health care partners and various levels of government; and provide leading-edge communication tools to support patient-centred health care delivery.

The CCO will lead a dynamic communications team skilled in brand and reputation management, internal communications, stakeholder relations, community engagement, media relations, issues management, change management and digital/creative services.

As a key advisor to the Board of Directors and senior hospital leadership, the CCO will contribute to senior level strategic and operational planning, advise on communications approaches for emerging issues, and providing ongoing strategic support to advance the hospital’s goals and our connection with the community.

Accountabilities:

• Lead the planning, development and execution of all strategic communication and stakeholder engagement to support the achievement of organizational goals. This includes:
  • Strategic Communications: Leading strategic communications planning and execution to advance the hospital’s Strategic Plan;
  • Capital projects: All Trillium HealthWorks capital project milestones, ongoing communications and change management initiatives, and liaison with all levels of government officials, partners and external stakeholders;
  • Fundraising: Support THP’s brand and fundraising campaign in partnership with the Trillium Health Partners Foundation to enable future growth;
  • Academic: THP’s expanded academic mission including advancement of ongoing research, innovation and education mandates; and
  • Advocacy: Leading the hospital’s efforts to advance key strategic projects and initiatives with external partners.
• Support organization and department initiatives to advance equity, anti-racism and inclusion priorities.
• Planning and implementation of ongoing media, government and external relations that support THP’s connection with the community; internal communications that support staff and professional staff; digital content and creative services that help tell the THP story.
• Provide leadership to a high-performing team. Ensure continuous development of the team through coaching, mentorship and effective performance-focused management.
• Communicate and enhance public understanding of the hospital’s strategic plan, patient and family services and support.
• Lead communications and crisis management activities through a defined issues management process.
• Support organizational efforts in driving a Learning Health System to advance health equity and population health for a healthier community.
• Provide communications advice and guidance to the Board of Directors and senior leadership on strategic initiatives and reputation-related issues
• Ensure ongoing, effective reputational risk identification, evaluation and monitoring.
• Act as an effective liaison with key partners, including the Trillium Health Partners Foundation, to ensure alignment of communication messaging and strategy alignment.
• Oversee fiscal responsibility for the Communications and Public Affairs Department and support the organization’s fiscal plans.

Qualifications:

• Post-secondary education in communications, journalism or related field.
• 10+ years progressive management experience in a related field. Executive-level experience preferred.
• Demonstrated leadership and management experience in a complex, highly regulated environment. Experience in a healthcare environment is an asset.
• Knowledge of strategic and operational communications planning, brand and reputation management, marketing, and financial, data and market trend analysis.
• Proven track record advising senior decision-makers, on both short-term opportunities and long-term strategic considerations.
• Highly skilled story telling capabilities, including ability to translate complex medical information into an easy-to-understand product.
• Experience in managing highly sensitive issues and crisis situations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and presentation skills
• Strong ability to link strategic direction to communications and public affairs strategies within a rapidly changing health care environment.
• Extensive experience leading change within large organizations.
• Ability to build, lead and inspire a dynamic, professional team with emphasis on coaching, mentoring and leadership.
• Results-oriented and client-focused with a commitment to excellence
• Position Location and Travel:
• While this role is typically located at our Mississauga Hospital site and is hybrid in person and remote. Travel to all THP sites will be required at different times.
• Internal Candidates who believe they possess the necessary qualifications and experience for this position and who have been in their current position for at least six (6) months are encouraged to apply.

To pursue this career opportunity, please visit our website: www.trilliumhealthpartners.ca

Notes to applicants:

Trillium Health Partners is committed to addressing racism and discrimination and reducing inequities in the health system. We value inclusion and diversity and recognize that our organizational culture needs to be equitable to contribute to better outcomes for the community and to achieve ‘A new Kind of Health Care for a Healthier Community’.

Recognizing this mission could not be realized without also assessing and investing in our internal practices, culture and processes. We are building an organization where everyone at THP feels they belong, their voice matters, and contributes to our collective success. We commit to making systemic fairness a reality for all and are working to ensure that the community we serve is reflected at all levels, and in all professions at THP.

We encourage applicants from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the Ontario Human Rights Code based on race, gender identity or expression, sex, sexual orientation, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nations, Métis or Inuk/Inuit person.

If you do not see yourself fully reflected in every job requirement listed on this posting, we still encourage you to reach out and apply. Research has shown candidates from underrepresented groups often only apply when they feel 100% qualified.

In accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 and the Ontario Human Rights Code, Trillium Health Partners will provide accommodations throughout the recruitment and selection process to applicants with disabilities as required.

Applicants must be eligible to work in Canada. We would like to thank all applicants for their interest in this position, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Trillium Health Partners is recognized under the French Language Services Act.

As a condition of employment, we require all staff to be fully vaccinated for COVID19, in addition to other vaccinations required by the Public Hospitals Act.