Manager, Strategic Communications & Community Relations - Full Time

Competition:

266-26

Department / Unit:

Communications

Position Type:

Full Time

Bargaining Unit:

Non-Union

Posting Date:

2026-10-06 14:00

HeadwatersHealth Care Centre. One Community, Caring Together.

We are a dedicated team of professionals focused on providing the best care possible for our patients, families, and caregivers. We work together to care for the whole person from hospital to home.

We are looking for a Manager, Strategic Communications & Community Relations to work with our Communications and Community Relations Department to help us continue in our mission to serve our community with Kindness, Accountability, Respect, and Teamwork.

Reporting to the Vice President, People Experience & CHRO, the Manager, Strategic Communications & Community Relations leads the Headwaters enterprise‑wide communications and community relations strategy in alignment with its mission, vision, values and strategic priorities. The role provides strategic counsel and operational leadership for internal and external communications, media and public relations, brand and digital communications, issues and crisis communications, community engagement, and executive communications. The Manager will provide leadership support to the Auxiliary volunteer program and Spiritual Care partners.

Provides strategic leadership for the Headwaters Equity, Inclusion, Diversity and Anti‑Racism (EIDA‑R) initiatives, including oversight of the committee, development and implementation of strategies, policies, education and engagement activities that foster an inclusive, equitable and respectful workplace and care workplace all.





In partnership with the Patient Experience Office, the Manager provides communications support for patient relations, ensuring information and messaging are clear, respectful, accessible and aligned with the hospital’s patient experience commitments.

Position Responsibilities:

- Strategic Communications and Brand Leadership – Lead an integrated communications strategy that advances organizational priorities and ensures clear, accessible and consistent messaging. Oversee brand, digital, internal, executive and change communications.
- Media, Public and Issues Management – Act as the hospital’s primary media contact and lead communications for media opportunities, emerging issues, incidents and crises. Equip leaders and spokespersons with timely advice, key messages and response strategies.
- Community and Stakeholder Relations – Build trusted relationships with patients, families, community partners, government, funders and other stakeholders. Lead communications for public initiatives, events, partnerships and consultations, and advise senior leaders on reputation and engagement.
- Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility – Lead and coordinate diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility and anti‑racism priorities, including support for the IDEA Committee. Advance inclusive,



culturally responsive and accessible practices through communications, education and engagement.
- Patient Relations and Patient Experience Communications – Partner with the Patient Experience Office to provide clear, compassionate, accessible and confidential communications for patients and families. Support patient feedback, service recovery, disclosure, education and engagement initiatives.
- People and Program Leadership – Lead and develop staff, set priorities and performance measures, and manage budgets, vendors, contracts and resources. Build strong partnerships and foster innovation, accountability, psychological safety and continuous improvement.
- Organizational Accountabilities – Promote patient and staff safety, follow hospital policies and legal requirements, protect confidentiality, and demonstrate sound judgment, diplomacy and Headwaters values.

Qualifications:

- University degree in communications, public relations, marketing, journalism or a related discipline. A combination of relevant education and experience may be considered
- Minimum five to seven years of progressive related experience in corporate communications, public relations, community relations or a comparable field, including leadership experience
- Experience in a hospital or health care environment is preferred
- Demonstrated experience in strategic communications, media relations, issues management, stakeholder engagement, digital communications, brand management and executive communications
- Knowledge of diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility principles and experience supporting related committees, strategies or initiatives
- Experience support

📌 Manager, Strategic Communications (Canada)
🏢 Headwaters Health Care Centre
📍 Canada