Communications Strategist

southlake; Newmarket; Hybrid; CAD 105,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work environment

Health and dental benefits

HOOPP pension plan

On-site gym membership and wellness

Job summary

Southlake Health in Newmarket, Ontario, is seeking a Communications Strategist for a 12-month maternity leave contract. The role combines corporate communications leadership with healthcare-related public affairs, working in a hybrid environment that includes virtual, in-person, and flexible options.

The ideal candidate has 3–5 years in corporate communications, strong writing and data-driven decision skills, and a proven ability to lead cross-functional campaigns while protecting the brand and

Qualifications

• University degree or diploma in a relevant field as stated.
• Minimum 3–5 years in corporate communications or public relations.
• Strong written and verbal communication with attention to detail.
• Ability to analyze data to support communication advice.

Responsibilities

• Monitor external trends in healthcare communications and align with organizational goals.
• Own communications projects and provide strategic plans with measurable results.
• Position and promote the Southlake brand across channels.
• Collaborate to implement integrated campaigns with internal/external components.
• Develop internal and external content including articles and social media content.
• Use data analytics to measure effectiveness of strategies.

Skills

Public relations

Communications strategy

Data analytics

Stakeholder engagement

Leadership

Education

University degree, college diploma or certificate in Public Relations, Communications, Journalism or related fields

Job description

Job Category: Professional

Hospital Location: Newmarket ON

Job Type: Temporary (Fixed Term), Full time

Number of Positions: 1

Minimum - Maximum Hourly Rate: $50.53 - $60.07

Why Join Our Team?

• A people-first workplace environment that prioritizes belonging, wellness, and psychological safety.
• Hybrid, virtual, and in-person working environment (where applicable).
• Progressive health and dental benefit plans.
• HOOPP pension plan with employer and employee premium sharing.
• Enhanced wellness initiatives, including virtual fitness classes and on-site gym memberships.

If you are ready to embrace this exciting challenge and contribute to the success of Southlake Health, we encourage you to apply and be part of our dedicated team, making a difference in the lives of our employees and the community we serve!

Southlake Health is embarking on an exciting journey to transform into a Distributed Health Network over the next decade and with it strengthen its brand positioning to champion a pride for people, place, and performance among its core audiences. The Corporate Communications and Public Affairs team plays a vital role in this work, acting as trusted advisors, brand managers, and reputation protectors. Reporting to the Manager, Communications and Public Affairs, the Communications Strategist helps execute Southlake's three-year communications plan, while providing communications support to priority projects throughout the organization. This role is a 12-month maternity leave contract.

What You'll be doing

• Monitor external trends in communications in the healthcare field, specifically around issues that impact hospitals to align communication strategies with the strategic goals of the organization.
• Communications ownership for key priority projects at Southlake
• Manage all aspects of assigned communication projects, provide strategic advice to create and implement strategic plans to achieve results, and provide measured evaluation of the success of these plans using relevant data analytics.
• Accountable for positioning, promoting the Southlake brand, and supporting the organization's priorities.
• Collaborate with department colleagues to implement integrated campaigns that include internal and external communications, social media, and community stakeholder engagement.
• Implement government relations and social media strategies to advance the organization's priorities.
• Support stakeholder and government relations through research and tracking.
• Develop communication plans for strategic organization-wide initiatives, and for hospital department programs and key strategic initiatives
• Develop a variety of internal and external written content such as articles, media stories, collateral, web content, and social media content
• Use data analytics to support strategic communications advice and measure the effectiveness of communications strategies.

What You'll bring:

• University degree, college diploma or certificate in Public Relations, Communications, Journalism or other related fields
• Minimum of 3 to 5 years' experience working in corporate communications, public affairs or public relations
• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills, including a demonstrated ability to work with diverse individuals and groups from frontline staff to members of the management and senior teams
• Demonstrates good judgement and discretion
• Proven ability to effectively manage time and work on several projects simultaneously
• Ability to research projects extensively
• Experience using data to support decision making and strategic communications advice
• Demonstrates excellence in communication, both written and verbal, with strong attention to detail
• Analysis / problem assessment
• Innovative and willing to learn
• Demonstrates leadership through critical-thinking to counsel senior management
• Healthcare, media relations and government relations experience are considered assets.

Southlake Health is fully committed to a culture of belonging and an inclusive environment that encourages every team member to lead within their role, generate innovative ideas that reinforce our mission and goal to create a healthy workplace where our community can thrive.

Regular and reliable attendance is an expected requirement of this position.

We are committed to a selection process and work environment that is inclusive and barrier-free. Accommodation will be provided in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code. Applicants who may require accommodation during the selection process are encouraged to notify the Human Resources Department when contacted for an interview. The People, Culture and Experience team will work together with the hiring committee to arrange reasonable and appropriate accommodation for the selection process, which will enable you to be assessed fairly and equitably.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) We prioritize a people-first workplace culture which emphasizes equity and inclusion throughout our hiring process. To ensure f