Communications Specialist

Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario; Ottawa; Hybrid; CAD 63,000 - 74,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation reimbursement

Job summary

CHEO in Ottawa is seeking a Communications Specialist to develop, deliver, and evaluate strategic communications for the Knowledge Institute on Child and Youth Mental Health and Addictions. Reporting to the Manager, Strategic Communications, you will create audience-focused content for a variety of channels and collaborate with project teams to advance CHEO’s strategic goals.

The role requires a Bachelor’s degree in communications and 3–5 years of experience, with strong writing skills and the

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism or a related field.
• Three to five years of experience in communications.
• Experience developing and implementing communications plans.
• Experience writing about health research (preferred).
• Strong writing and editing skills; ability to translate complex info.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.
• Criminal record check; bilingualism (French/English) preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop, deliver and evaluate strategic communications plans.
• Advise project teams and represent Communications in meetings.
• Create audience-focused content for websites, social media, newsletters and media materials.
• Ensure materials align with brand, accessibility, and style guides; tell impact stories.
• Support website, internal comms and media relations; adapt to changing priorities.

Skills

Oral communication

Written communication

Strategic planning

Content development

Project coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree in communications

Tools

Photoshop

InDesign

Illustrator

Canva

Job description

Compensation Pay Range: $45.37-$53.39

Ottawa is built on un-ceded Algonquin Anishinaabe territory. The peoples of the Algonquin Anishinabek Nation have lived on this territory for millennia and we honour them and this land. Their culture and presence have nurtured and continue to nurture this land. CHEO also honours all First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples and their valuable past and present contributions to this land. CHEO is one of the few stand-alone, global leaders in pediatric health and is home to more than 6,500 staff, clinicians, scientists and researchers, as well as volunteers – all of whom work together to help children and youth achieve their best lives. Within its own walls and through partnerships with community providers, CHEO has transformed from a 20th century acute care hospital into a 21st century integrated child and youth health system. Ranked in the top 1% of Canadian hospitals for the digitization of its clinical infrastructure, CHEO combines excellence in clinical care, research, and education to advance seamless care that’s provided where, when, and how it is needed. CHEO’s Research Institute is dedicated to world-class clinical, translational, and basic science research covering a wide range of children’s health concerns. CHEO has been named Canada’s best health-care employer by Forbes in 2024, 2025 and 2026 and is ranked second among Canadian hospitals on its list of Canada’s Best Employers for multiple consecutive years. For the 14th consecutive year in a row, the editors of Canada's Top 100 Employers has recognized CHEO as a top employer in the National Capital Region. Every year CHEO helps more than 500,000 children and youth from Eastern Ontario, western Quebec, Nunavut and Northern Ontario.

POSITION SUMMARY

For more than two decades, the Knowledge Institute on Child and Youth Mental Health and Addictions (the Knowledge Institute) has been bringing people and knowledge together to strengthen care for infants, children, young people, and families. As a trusted partner and advisor to several of Ontario’s ministries, we collaborate across sectors to drive high-quality mental health, substance use health and addictions care. We mobilize evidence, strengthen knowledge and skills, and accelerate system change to improve services for mental health, substance use health, and addictions across Ontario. Reporting to the Manager, Strategic Communications, the Communications Specialist develops, delivers, and continuously evaluates and improves strategic communications that advance the Knowledge Institute's mission of strengthening child and youth mental health, substance use health and addictions services across Ontario. Working collaboratively with the strategic communications team, project teams and external partners, the Communications Specialist develops and executes communications plans, identifies strategic communications opportunities, and creates compelling, audience-focused content that helps advance the Knowledge Institute's strategic goals and organizational priorities.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

• Strategic communications planning Develop and execute communications plans that support the Knowledge Institute's strategic priorities, projects, resources and initiatives; Identify strategic communications opportunities that increase awareness, engagement and the reach of the Knowledge Institute's work; Monitor and evaluate communications performance, incorporating analytics, feedback, and lessons learned into future planning and continuous improvement; and Stay current with emerging communications trends, technologies and best practices, and recommend opportunities to strengthen the Knowledge Institute's strategic communications.
• Strategic communications advising and project support Partner with project teams to provide strategic communications advice throughout the planning, development and implementation of projects, resources and initiatives; Represent Communications at internal and external meetings to ensure communications considerations are incorporated into project planning; and Build collaborative relationships with staff, project leads, and partners to support effective communications planning and delivery.
• Content development and storytelling Research, write, edit and coordinate engaging, audience-focused content for a variety of communications channels, including but not limited to websites, social media, newsletters, reports, presentations and media materials; Translate complex information into clear, accurate and audience-focused communications that support understanding and engagement; Ensure communications materials align with the Knowledge Institute's brand, editorial standards, accessibility requirements and style guides; and Work collaboratively with staff, project teams and partners to identify and develop stories and messaging that showcase the Knowledge Institute’s work and impact.
• Other responsibilities include: Support the ongoing development and maintenance of the Knowledge Institute’s website and communications channels; Contribute to internal communications initiatives that support organizational priorities and employee engagement; Assist with media relations, social media, and government relations; and Perform other duties as assigned by the Manager, or in response to a dynamic and changing environment.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism or a related field (Essential)
• Three to five (3-5) years of experience in communications or related field (Essential)
• Experience developing and implementing communications plans (Essential)
• Experience writing about health research (Preferred)
• Experience developing products in a variety of formats and for a variety of platforms (Essential)
• Experience monitoring and evaluating communications performance to support continuous improvement (Preferred)
• Superior oral and written communication skills (Essential)
• Superior organisational and project coordination skills (Essential)
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and manage multiple priorities (Essential)
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a team (Essential)
• Proficiency with creative communications software (PhotoShop, InDesign, Illustrator, Canva, etc.) (Preferred)
• Demonstrated understanding of child and youth mental health, substance use health and addictions (Preferred)
• Criminal Record Check (Level 1) (Essential) Bilingualism (French/English) (Preferred)

Timeline may be extended or shortened based on operational needs. Effective March 29, 2021, CHEO will conduct a more comprehensive pre-screening and evaluation process. This process may include more varied and multidimensional testing such as a written test, practical exam, or other assessment. All candidates who meet the essential and preferred qualifications may be tested. Bilingualism (French/English) will be validated by a language proficiency assessment conducted by a third party provider. Candidates will be required to meet the minimum linguistic profile prior to the date of hire.

Should you require accommodation during any phase in the recruitment process, please contact Human Resources at [e-mail]. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential and will be handled in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.

CHEO values diversity and is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free work environment, starting with the hiring process and welcome interest from all qualified applicants.

CHEO is much more than a hospital. Our commitment to outstanding care and continued development impacts every part of a child and youth's health and well-being. We play a crucial role in building a healthy future for our community. Working at CHEO means a rewarding career. A career at CHEO provides a: competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package unique culture that fosters dedication, communication, respect and teamwork place where your opinions will be respected, contributions valued and your initiatives rewarded family-friendly environment that supports you and your own family, as well as the children, youth and families we serve chance to grow - personally and professionally - through our comprehensive orientation program and on-the-job learning support for continued education and learning potential for a relocation reimbursement benefit truly unique work environment We are redefining what it means to be a hospital. Exceptional and integrated care is what families, children and youth deserve. We are committed to partnering with them and the community to provide this care - where, when and how it’s needed. CHEO continues to be selected by local, national and international competitions showcasing employers who lead their sector in offering exceptional workplaces for their employees. For the eleventh time, CHEO has been recognized as one of the National Capital Region’s Top Employers. We were given this honour based on our outstanding: workplace atmosphere benefits employee communications training and skills development community involvement