Description

JOB SUMMARY:

Reporting to the Director, Public Affairs and Stakeholder Engagement, the Communications Leader – Public Health is accountable for developing, planning and implementing integrated communications plans on behalf of Vancouver Coastal Health.

The Communications

Leader – Public Health provides leadership and consultation in all aspects of communications to advance public health initiatives while maintaining and strengthening the health authority’s reputation with both internal and external stakeholders.

This complex but rewarding role also manages and evaluates media relations, public health activities and campaigns that have a significant impact on the public. He/She provides support in organizing, prioritizing and coordinating the health authority’s response to issues, and has a lead role in providing accurate information in response to issues.

The Communications Leader uses his/her knowledge of views and perspectives of internal and external audiences, and knowledge of VCH goals and objectives to develop, implement and evaluate strategic communication plans in support of media relations and issues management activities.

On a day-to-day basis, he/she is responsible for the timely and effective development and distribution of materials to media audiences and internal and external stakeholders; prepares issues notes and other briefing materials; writes news releases; pitches story ideas; organizes news conferences; acts as a media spokesperson for VCH as required; develops and implements public health marketing and communications plans; and, provides strategic communication advice and services to senior leaders, directors, managers and staff across the organization.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Marketing, or Journalism plus a minimum of seven (7) to ten (10) years’ recent, related experience or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience. Advanced abilities with various computer applications, including a working knowledge of social media tools.



The ideal candidate will possess an impressive record of achievement in determining the views and perspectives of multiple audiences – internal and external – and in designing communications and media relations strategies that reflect those needs in advancing organizational goals and objectives.

ROLE SPECIFIC EXPERTISE

- Demonstrated skill and experience in journalistic writing and editing skills to compose briefing materials, news releases, key messages and communication strategies for a variety of target audiences in a clear and concise manner.
- Demonstrated ability to create and execute strategic communication plans with measurable objectives and results.
- Ability to recognize emerging issues and opportunities, garner resources to manage the response to them, while demonstrating tact, diplomacy and composure.
- Ability to be creative in developing new approaches to resolving issues and enhancing organizational reputation.
- Ability to effectively work with senior leaders and other stakeholders in a wide variety of settings across the organization.
- Is practical, with an open, team-oriented approach to establishing good working relationships with internal and external stakeholder groups/partners in routine and controversial situations.
- Demonstrated ability to set priorities and be results-oriented. And remain calm, alert and high functioning under stressful situations.
- Demonstrated ability to handle highly confidential and sensitive issues with skill, good judgment tact and diplomacy and to carry out the duties of the position with a high degree of ethical and skilled behaviour.
- Demonstrated problem-solving and interpersonal skills.
- Physical ability to perform the duties of the position.

MANAGEMENT VALUES

You care for everyone

- You’re compassionate, empathetic,



and sensitive to the needs of others.
- You are respectful, treating people as equals, and valuing others’ perspectives and differences.
- You are appreciative of others’ efforts and give them praise when it’s due.

You are always learning

- You are open minded, always receptive to different perspectives and ways of doing things.
- You are curious and ask questions to find a deeper understanding.
- You share your expertise and mentor others by sharing your knowledge and experience.

You strive for better results:

- You are accountable, and take responsibility for what you say, what you do, and who you engage in achieving better results.
- You’re a solution finder, empowered to solve the challenges we face in healthcare.
- You take ownership for growth and development and personal development, always seek feedback and opportunities to improve how we do things.

Details

At Vancouver Coastal Health, our vision of healthy lives in healthy communities inspires us and our values and pillars guide us. We support equitable practices, diverse teams and inclusive environments, which are vital to creating welcoming spaces where everyone can bring their whole selves to work and feel supported. We encourage applications from equity-deserving communities, including Indigenous Peoples and members of racialized groups, people with disabilities and people of all gender identities and expressions and sexual orientation.

Vancouver Coastal Health is proud to be recognized as one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers, BC’s Top Employers, Canada’s Best Diversity Employers and Canada's Top Employers for Young People in 2026.

Unless otherwise noted on the posting, internal job postings close at 8:00 AM Pacific Time on the listed Closing Date. Please submit your digital application via the Internal Career Portal prior to the Closing Date & Time.

Nursing & LPN successful applicants will be notified by email.

We regret that only short listed candidates will be acknowledged.

This is an internal job posting for Vancouver Coastal Health employees only.

📌 Communications Leader, Public Health (Vancouver)
🏢 Vancouver Coastal Health
📍 Vancouver