Director, Media Relations & Social Media

Ontario Medical Association; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare advocacy organization in Toronto seeks a Director of Media Relations and Social Media to lead strategic communications and media relations efforts. The successful candidate will oversee a team, strengthen the organization's media presence, and navigate crisis communications. Candidates should have over 10 years of experience in media relations and possess strong leadership skills. This role includes a competitive salary, hybrid work conditions, and professional development opportunities.

Benefits

Paid professional development

Flexible hybrid work environment

Comprehensive benefits package

Recognition as a top employer

Qualifications

• 10+ years of media and/or media relations experience.
• 10+ years of communications, interpersonal, leadership, coaching and conflict resolution skills.
• An experienced, compassionate leader capable of developing and growing team members.

Responsibilities

• Lead and inspire a team of earned and social media professionals.
• Strengthen the organization’s media footprint.
• Lead best-in-class issues and crisis communications activities.
• Direct all media activities and manage external vendors.
• Develop and maintain effective relationships with media representatives.
• Oversee coordination of spokesperson media training.
• Collaborate to develop integrated media relations and social media strategies.
• Monitor health care and political issues in media.
• Coach and develop direct reports.
• Foster collaboration across the organization.

Skills

Media relations experience

Leadership

Communications skills

Interpersonal skills

Coaching

Conflict resolution

Education

Undergraduate degree in journalism, political science, public policy, communications or marketing

Job description

Overview

The Ontario Medical Association (OMA) advocates for and supports doctors, seeking to strengthen their leadership role in caring for patients. We continually seek to be the trusted voice in transforming Ontario’s health-care system by courageously pursuing best practices, new ideas, solutions, and opportunities to improve.

Job Summary

The Director of Media Relations and Social Media leads and delivers an effective media relations strategy to advance and protect the OMA’s reputation and brand.

Responsibilities

• Lead and inspire a team of earned and social media professionals in the development and execution of results-driven strategies that tell compelling stories and generate editorial coverage.
• Strengthen the organization’s media footprint and advance Ontario doctors as important voices in patient care and health system transformation.
• Lead best-in-class issues and crisis communications activities on behalf of the OMA.
• Direct all media activities, including developing media relations strategies, overseeing implementation and evaluation, and managing external vendors.
• Develop and maintain effective relationships with media representatives, journalists, bloggers, and other audiences; respond to requests, initiate contacts, and deliver information; monitor social media for response requirements; develop key messages and responses; draft news releases, letters to the editor, statements, and emails; and organize media briefings.
• Oversee coordination of spokesperson media training in preparation for interviews and news conferences, gather background information, develop key messages, ensure spokespeople are prepared, and schedule/attend interviews.
• Collaborate with peers to develop integrated media relations and social media strategies that align with OMA’s priorities; identify and implement social media strategies to increase OMA’s footprint and ensure the organization’s positions are reflected in online conversations.
• Lead development of media research practices and integrate insights across ACM and the organization.
• Monitor health care and political issues in media across Ontario; assess impacts on OMA activities and identify opportunities for coverage.
• Coach and develop direct reports; position the OMA as the voice of Ontario’s doctors and the go-to source of information on the health system and the doctor’s role.
• Hire, train, motivate, and coach staff; assess performance and provide feedback and development opportunities.
• Foster collaboration across the organization and build a culture of positivity and teamwork to ensure a best-in-class media approach is delivered and progress toward departmental objectives is evaluated.

Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in journalism, political science, public policy, communications or marketing disciplines; above-diploma/certificate considered.
• 10+ years of media and/or media relations experience.
• 10+ years of communications, interpersonal, leadership, coaching and conflict resolution skills.
• An experienced, compassionate leader capable of developing and growing team members.

Note: The OMA has moved to a permanent hybrid work environment. The individual in this position will be required to work a minimum number of days in our Toronto office.

What do we have to offer you?

• Respectful, bold, responsive, and transparent values in our work and behaviours.
• Growth opportunities and influence over the strategic direction of the OMA, its members, and the health-care system.
• Commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion based on humility, accountability, collaboration, courage and integrity.
• Paid professional development and continuous in-house learning.
• Flexible hybrid work environment.
• Competitive salary and bonus program.
• Comprehensive benefits package, including a spending account and wellness program.
• Recognition as one of Greater Toronto’s Top Employers (multiple years).

As a condition of employment, OMA conducts background checks and reference checks for all open positions. We are committed to diversity and welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds. Accommodation is provided during the recruitment process in accordance with the AODA Act.

Seniority level: Director

Employment type: Full-time

Job function: Marketing, Public Relations, and Writing / Editing

Industries: Financial Services, Software Development, and Technology, Information and Internet