Communications Strategist

Southlake Health; Newmarket; Hybrid; CAD 70,000 - 83,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and dental benefits

HOOPP pension plan

Wellness initiatives

On-site gym

Job summary

Southlake Health seeks a Communications Strategist to execute the three‑year communications plan and support priority projects across the organization. The role reports to the Manager, Communications and Public Affairs and is a 12‑month maternity leave contract.

You will develop and implement communication plans, manage projects, and collaborate with teams to promote the Southlake brand and engage stakeholders in Ontario.

Qualifications

• University degree in Public Relations, Communications, Journalism, or related field.
• 3–5 years of experience in corporate communications, public affairs, or public relations.
• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills with diverse groups.
• Good judgement and discretion.
• Strong time management and multitasking ability.
• Ability to research projects extensively and use data for decisions.
• Excellent written and verbal communication with attention to detail.
• Analytical thinking and problem assessment.
• Innovative mindset with willingness to learn.
• Leadership demonstrated in advising senior management; healthcare/media/gov relations are assets.

Responsibilities

• Monitor external trends in healthcare communications to align with organizational goals.
• Own communications for priority projects and provide strategic guidance.
• Manage projects end‑to‑end and measure results with analytics.
• Support brand positioning and organizational priorities.
• Collaborate across departments for integrated campaigns (internal/external).
• Lead government relations and social media strategies for priorities.
• Support stakeholder and government relation activities with research.
• Develop communication plans for large initiatives and hospital programs.
• Create internal and external content (articles, media stories, collateral, web, social).
• Use data analytics to inform strategic communications advice.

Skills

Public relations

Strategic communications

Stakeholder engagement

Written communication

Education

University degree in Public Relations

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.

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 fairness and transparency, all applications are reviewed and assessed by our dedicated team of recruiters and hiring managers, not by artificial intelligence (AI). We value the unique perspective each candidate brings to our organization.

Health & Safety Workplace Responsibilities

• It is the responsibility of all Southlake Health employees to work safely and promote health and safety in the workplace.
• Employees must adhere to the duties of workers, as stipulated in Section 28 of the OH&S Act, as well as all Southlake OH&S policies and procedures.
• Must be able to perform all necessary bona fide duties for the position, as outlined in the position guide.
• Must review and be capable of performing duties as outlined in the Job Demands Analysis for the position as a condition of offer.
• Proven ability to attend work regularly as per the Attendance Support Policy.

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

Southlake Health is fully dedicated to employment equity, diversity, and inclusion in our recruitment practices. We welcome candidates who identify with equity-seeking groups, including women, racialized individuals, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, and those from the 2SLGBTQ+ community. Any information provided will be kept confidential and used appropriately in our recruitment process.

Anti-Oppression/Anti-Racism at Southlake Health

Southlake Health is committed to having a workforce that is reflective of the diversity of York Region and strongly encourages applications from all qualified individuals, and from those who can provide different perspectives and contribute to a further diversification of ideas. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

Thank you for your submission. We appreciate your interest in joining Southlake Health! Join the Southlake Health Community! Are you ready to build a meaningful career where you and your work truly make a difference? Join us at Southlake Health, where you’ll collaborate with compassionate, motivated professionals who are committed to caring for our communities every day. We’re proud to be recognized as one of Greater Toronto's Top Employers for 2026, one of Canada’s Most Admired Corporate Cultures for 2025, and one of the World’s Best Hospitals for seven years in a row – recognitions that reflect the strength of our people and our workplace culture. For over 100 years, Southlake Health has been dedicated to building healthy communities through innovative care. While many things have changed over the years, our unwavering pride in our people, place, and performance has stood the test of time. With a passionate family of 6,000 medical professionals, staff, volunteers, and students, we work together every day to deliver exceptional care close to home. We are here for everyone who walks through our doors, no matter where they are in their life journey. Our commitment extends beyond our walls, reaching every community we serve. Driven by our heartfelt dedication, we believe that everyone deserves the best care and the best experience. As we look to the future, our vision remains clear: to grow alongside our communities. This vision is anchored in our commitment to put people first—pushing boundaries and embracing the latest medical advancements while ensuring we meet individuals where they are in life.