Position Summary

Interior Health is hiring a temporary full-time Senior Consultant, Communications & Engagement who is passionate about making a difference in healthcare.

The worksite location for this position is flexible and can be located anywhere within the Interior Health region. It has a term ending in April 2027.

What we offer:
• An attractive remuneration package
• Excellent career prospects
• Employer paid training/education
• Employer paid vacation
• Employer paid insurance premiums
• Extended Health & Dental coverage
• Work-life balance
• May be eligible to contribute to MPP

Salary range for the position is $90,770 to $130,481. Interior Health establishes salaries within the minimum and maximum of the salary range based on consideration of the qualifications, experience of the applicant, and an internal equity review of the salaries of other employees.

How will you create an impact:
In accordance with the established vision and values of the organization, the Senior Consultant, Communications & Engagement provides strategic and tactical communications and engagement expertise in the development of strategic communications and engagement plans to support Interior Health objectives.

The Senior Consultant, Communications & Engagement is accountable for driving all aspects of external and internal communications associated with assigned work, including media relations, government relations, capital communications, partner engagement, strategic communications planning, and issues management. The Senior Consultant is a dynamic member of the Communications Team.

The Lead requires an understanding of the many diverse internal and external audiences and unique challenges associated with health care. The Senior Consultant will have the ability to act as Interior Health liaison; develop relationships with Government Communications & Public Engagement (GCPE), Ministry of Health (MOH), Ministry of Infrastructure (INF), municipal and regional governments, Indigenous Communities, provincial MLAs, community/program advisory councils, and maintain sound relationships with key executive leaders within the organization.

What will you work on:
1. Plans and delivers strategic and tactical communications and engagement activities to build, maintain and enhance public and partner awareness and understanding of IH programs, services and initiatives; facilitates understanding of important issues and opportunities; promotes a positive corporate image.

2. Determines appropriate media relations, engagement and issues management processes, sets and develops courses of action, completes assignments through review and use of highly confidential materials; demonstrates a high level of judgement, independent thinking and initiative. Exercises discretion when in possession of confidential information which may impact the employment lives of staff such as an organization and/or systems redesign, redevelopment or decommissioning of existing services/facilities and/or labour adjustments.

3. Provides informal leadership to Communications & Engagement consultants through coaching, guiding and modeling key behaviours and strategies, encouraging dialogue, and providing guidance to implement communications strategies, plans and processes. Facilitates resolution to work issues related to communications & engagement tactics.

4. Promotes a positive profile of Interior Health and its operations through identification and execution of potential promotional opportunities.

5. Works with assigned portfolio leadership teams and senior leadership to develop community and partner engagement plans on projects that will impact communities.

6. Participates in the development, implementation and evaluation of departmental goals, guidelines, objectives, policies and procedures. Collaborates with the Communications team in the fulfillment of strategic communications goals; liaises with counterparts at other health authorities, various levels of government and partner agencies to ensure consistent messaging and common approaches.

7. Provides event design and coordination by scheduling and organizing events in collaboration with GCPE; securing and preparing keynote speakers; and developing briefing notes, speeches, presentations, and media materials.

8. Prepares newsletters, news releases, briefing notes, brochures, pamphlets, presentations, speeches, backgrounders, articles, and other communications materials as required. Arranges media presence at events and coordinates interviews. Occasionally acts as media spokesperson.

9. Supports after-hours on-call requirements on a rotational basis within the portfolio.

10. Coordinates processes with key external partners on issues including the Government of British Columbia (including Minister’s Offices), the Minister of Health, Minister of Infrastructure, MLA’s and regional and local governments.

11. In alignment with IH’s Occupational Health & Safety Program, employees shall adhere to all Occupational Health and Safety policies and procedures at all times and attend all required training. Employees are responsible to report any identified hazards, unsafe conditions or incidents to the manager or supervisor immediately.

12. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Honouring Interior Health’s commitment to Truth and Reconciliation and the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA), and Pursuant to Section 42 of the BC Human Rights Code, preferential consideration and/or hiring will be given to qualified applicants who self-identify as Indigenous (First Nations, Métis, or Inuit).

Qualifications

Education, Training and Experience
• University degree specializing in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, or related degree.
• A minimum of seven (7) to ten (10) years of recent, related experience.
• Or an equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.

Skills and Abilities
• Knowledge and experience in community and partner engagement would be an asset.
• Ability to work as part of a high-performance team.
• Ability to provide communication advice and direction to leaders on complex/sensitive issues relating to media and government relations and in high-pressure, time-sensitive situations.
• Knowledge of capital project communications, P3’s, and/or health care would be an asset.
• Ability to develop, implement, and evaluate operational, issues management, and strategic communication.
• Skill and experience in journalistic business writing and the creation of compelling publications.
• Ability to plan, organize, set, accomplish, and measure objectives and results.
• Ability to effectively work with senior leaders and other partners in a wide variety of settings across the organization.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to set priorities and be results-oriented.
• Ability to remain calm, alert, and high functioning under stressful situations.
• Ability to handle highly confidential and sensitive issues with skill, tact, and diplomacy.
• Strong problem-solving and interpersonal skills.
• Skill in establishing good working relationships with internal and external groups/partners in routine and controversial situations.
• Advanced computer skills.
• Ability to carry out the duties of the position with a high degree of ethical and professional behaviour.
• Valid BC Driver’s License and access to personal car may be required.
• Physical ability to perform the duties of the position.

Comments

Interior Health is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion and to creating an environment free from discrimination. Our goal is to cultivate a workforce rich in culture, experience, and knowledge to enable us to provide high quality, accessible and culturally safe health services to everyone in the Interior Health region. We are committed to addressing existing inequities and barriers to achieving a diverse workforce, one that is representative of the communities we serve. We invite applications and enquiries from all people, particularly those belonging to the historically, systemically, and/or persistently marginalized groups.