Communications Lead | Mental Health & Substance Use

Position Summary
Interior Health is hiring a permanent full-time Communications Lead, Mental Health & Substance Use who is passionate about making a difference in healthcare.
Location: This position is flexible within the Interior Health Region.

What we offer:
• An attractive remuneration package
• Excellent career prospects
• Employer paid training/education
• Employer paid vacation
• Employer paid insurance premiums
• Extended Health & Dental coverage
• Work-life balance
• May be eligible to contribute to MPP

Salary range for the position is $88,990 to $127,923. Interior Health establishes salaries within the minimum and maximum of the salary range based on consideration of the qualifications, experience of the applicant, and an internal equity review of the salaries of other employees.

Come join our team and see why we’re one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers! Explore our extensive benefits, career growth opportunities, and lifestyle in one of the most beautiful and diverse regions of Canada. Ready to love where you live and work? Join our team today!

How will you create an impact:
The Communications Lead, Mental Health & Substance Use (MHSU), works closely with Interior Health (IH) leaders to deliver strategic communications and engagement support to IH’s MHSU Transformation and Toxic Drug Crisis Response Leadership.

Reporting to the Director, Corporate & Digital Content, the Communications Lead, MHSU is responsible for developing and executing strategic marketing communications activities that build community and public understanding of the continuum of care/MHSU services available in interior communities. The Communications Lead will be expected to support the development and delivery of marketing campaigns related to new services or additions to the continuum of care, lead the work identified in IH’s Toxic Drug Response Communication Strategy, and to develop and implement additional communications strategies that support IH’s MHSU leadership in articulating the approach and actions the organization is taking in response to the Toxic Drug Crisis, both internally and externally. Additionally, the Communications Lead, will be responsible for undertaking research locally, nationally, and globally to identify and implement strategies, tactics, and messages that drive increased public awareness, understanding, and behaviour.

This position is a dynamic member of the Communications & Engagement portfolio, directly connected to and knowledgeable of relevant workstream strategies, while providing dedicated support to MHSU Transformation Toxic Drug Crisis Response leadership, Clinical Operations Leadership, Population Health, and Medical Heath Officers.

Travel may be a requirement of this position in addition to evening, weekend, and on-call assignments.

In alignment with IH’s Occupational Health & Safety Program, employees shall adhere to all Occupational Health and Safety policies and procedures at all times and attend all required training. Employees are responsible to report any identified hazards, unsafe conditions or incidents to your manager or supervisor immediately.

What will you work on:

• With oversight of Director, leads development and delivery of marketing communications and engagement strategies to build, maintain, and enhance public and partner awareness of the continuum of MHSU services and understanding of IH response to the Toxic Drug Crisis.

• Acts as a strategic advisor to MHSU Transformation Toxic Drug Crisis Response Leadership and Population Health. Works to understand their specific communications and engagement needs, builds supporting strategies, and provides guidance on effective best communications practices that will help them engage their audiences, respond to issues, and articulate their messages.

• Leads creation, rollout, and evaluation of marketing communications and engagement strategies to ensure successful and carefully measured implementation. Acts as subject matter expert and thought leader on all matters relating to MHSU services and Toxic Drug Crisis Response communications for the Communications & Engagement portfolio and to broader organizational partners.

• Participates in the development, implementation, and evaluation of departmental goals, guidelines objectives, policies, and procedures; collaborates with team members of all workstreams within the broader Communications & Engagement portfolio 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.

• Maintains and integrates into strategic marketing communications and engagement approaches up-to-date messaging and protocols on all MHSU and Toxic Drug Crisis Response topics, including creating and updating public website content with easily accessible service updates, fact sheets, and videos and/or photographs.

• Provides event design and coordination by leading scheduling and organization of events in collaboration with Government Communications and Public Engagement (GCPE); including securing and preparing keynote speakers; and developing briefing notes, speeches, presentations, and media materials.

• Arranges media presence at events and coordinates interviews. Occasionally acts as a media spokesperson.

• Assists Ministry of Health, Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions, and GCPE officials in gathering requested information in a timely manner and acts as liaison with the Ministry as required.

• Performs other related duties as may be assigned.

Interior Health strives to create an environment where you enjoy the work you do, the place where you work, and the people around you. Together, we create great workplaces. Apply today!

Honouring Interior Health’s commitment to Truth and Reconciliation and the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA), and Pursuant to Section 42 of the BC Human Rights Code, preferential consideration and/or hiring will be given to qualified applicants who self-identify as Indigenous (First Nations, Métis, or Inuit).

Qualfications
Education, Training and Experience
• University degree specializing in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, or related degree.
• A minimum of 5 to 7 years of recent, related experience.
• An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience will also be considered.
• Knowledge and experience in community and partner engagement would be an asset.

Skills and Abilities
• Ability to work as part of a high-performance team.
• Ability to develop, implement, and evaluate operational, issues management, and strategic communication.
• Skill and experience in journalistic business writing and the creation of compelling publications.
• Ability to plan, organize, set, accomplish, and measure objectives and results.
• Ability to effectively collaborate with senior leaders and other interested parties in a wide variety of settings across the organization.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to set priorities and be results-oriented.
• Ability to remain calm, alert, and high functioning under stressful situations.
• Ability to handle highly confidential and sensitive issues with skill, tact, and diplomacy.
• Strong problem-solving and people skills.
• Skill in establishing good working relationships with internal and external interest groups / partners in routine and controversial situations.
• Advanced computer skills.
• Ability to perform the duties of the position with a high degree of ethical and professional behaviour.
• Valid BC Driver’s License and access to personal car may be required.
• Physical ability to perform the duties of the position.