Director, Communications
Quality, Safety & Risk

COMPETITION #: 162-24

DATE POSTED: November 22, 2024

DATE CLOSED: December 1, 2024

CATEGORY: Regular, Full-time

DEPARTMENT: Strategy, Transformation and Engagement

REPORTS TO: VP, Communications and Engagement

CFO LOCATION:Provincial Role - Any of the Ontario Health atHome Offices

HOURS OF WORK: 37.5 hours per week/1950 annual

SALARY: OHaH Non-Union Band 9 - $135,901 to $162,272

CARE AND BE CARED FOR - THIS IS YOUR HOME

Are you a strategic leader with a passion for impactful communication, particularly in promoting quality, safety and risk management within an organization? Do you thrive on shaping narratives that foster trust, drive engagement and reinforce a culture of safety and accountability? Can you effectively translate complex information into clear, compelling message that resonate with both internal teams and external stakeholders?

If so, take a look at this rewarding career opportunity working alongside a supportive and collaborative Health Communications team! ​​​We are amid a momentous time for health care in Ontario as we move to a more connected health care system through the Ontario Health Teams model of care.

The Director, Communications provides vision, strategic leadership, and oversight for developing, implementing, and evaluating internal and external communications strategies specific to the Quality, Safety and Risk portfolio. While this Director role will support the needs of the organization as required, the focus will be supporting the Quality, Safety and Risk (QSR) portfolio, ensuring communication strategies uphold and promote quality standards, patient safety, and continuous improvement. The QSR portfolio holds accountability for the organization's Quality and Ethics Frameworks including Patient Safety, Patient and Caregiver Experience Evaluation, Privacy, Access and Records, and Service Provider Organization (SPO) contracts including communications. The Director also plays a pivotal role in aligning portfolio-specific communications for key provincial initiatives, supporting the Executive Leadership Team, Board of Directors, and Ontario Health atHome's overall strategic goals.

What do we offer?

We know wellness is supported with work-life balance. In an inclusive culture committed to support your passion for continuous learning, growth, and innovation, we offer: ​

• Attractive comprehensive compensation packages and benefits​
• Valuable development opportunities​
• Membership in a world class defined benefit pension plan.
• Flexible work location [this position can be located at any of the Ontario Health atHome offices]

What will you do?

• This Director role ensure communication strategies uphold and promote quality standards, patient safety, and continuous improvement.
• Develops and implements comprehensive communications plans inclusive of strategies that target internal communications, change management, public relations, stakeholder engagement, marketing, brand management, social media, and issues management.
• Develops proactive strategies to assist all levels of Ontario Health at Home to meet the needs of all stakeholder groups in alignment with the organization's mission, vision, values, and strategic priorities.
• Provides strategic communications advice and leadership for business continuity and contingency planning, including creating communications contingency plans as needed.
• Counsels' senior executives on corporate communications matters, including strategic communications planning, media and stakeholder relations, executive thought leadership and corporate reputation management.
• Initiates and maintains communications policies and processes to ensure consistent messaging and compatibility with the overall provincial health care agenda.
• Manages, triages, and assigns incoming requests for communications support, including those from the Chief Strategy, Transformation and Engagement Officer and other senior leaders.

• Provides leadership geographically dispersed communications team, fostering collaboration, consistency, and engagement across multiple locations within the province. This role involves effectively managing a virtual team environment, ensuring alignment with goals and adapting communication strategies to support team cohesion and effectiveness across distances.
• Provides leadership and support for provincial internal and external communications, including on behalf of the CEO and Executive Leadership Team.

• Cultivates an environment that retains and attracts exceptional people and that supports life-long learning.
• Provides leadership to all portfolio staff and manages in a manner that motivates, guides, and directs employees to the realization of Ontario Health atHomes' goals, objectives and performance expectations; ensures a work environment that promotes staff participation, teamwork and positive employee relations.
• Embodies OH atHome mission, vision and values and applies quadruple aim (enhancing patient experience, enhancing provider/staff experience, improving value and improving population health) in daily work.

What must you have?

Educational Qualifications

• University degree in a related field (e.g. Communications, Journalism, Business Administration, Public Affairs), or equivalent combination of education and experience; Master's degree an asset.

Experience

• 8-10 years related experience with 3-5 years in a senior management role.
• Broad and extensive public relations/corporate communications experience in a multi-stakeholder environment, preferably in the public sector.
• Solid background in integrating large, complex communications initiatives in a change environment.
• Excellent knowledge of current communication theories, disciplines, techniques, best practices, and planning methods
• Strong knowledge of media relations and public events planning

Knowledge and Skills

• Strong understanding of the organization and ability to anticipate evolving business need, proactively adapting communication strategies accordingly.
• Demonstrates initiative by developing multiple strategic options for consideration, rather than relying on a single approach.
• Exhibits the ability to refine and build on ideas, moving beyond initial concepts to achieve optional results.
• Exception attention to detail ensuring accuracy and quality across all communications.

Communication and Interpersonal Skills

• Highly skilled writer with a strong command of language, able to convey complex information clearly and persuasively.
• Actively embraces change efforts and initiatives to improve performance. Develops and uses different methods to help employees to positively react to change.
• Makes clear and convincing oral and written presentations to individuals or groups; listens effectively and encourages open communication; facilitates an open exchange of ideas and fosters an atmosphere of open communication; considers and responds appropriately to the needs, feelings, and capabilities of others in different situations; is tactful, compassionate, and sensitive, and treats others with respect.

Note: We have a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy. As a condition of employment, all employees are required to submit proof of COVID-19 vaccination status prior to start date.

What would give you the edge?

• Experience in health care communications or a related field, with a strong understanding of quality, safety, and risk management in high-stakes environments.
• Proven track record in crisis communication, demonstrating the ability to respond swiftly and strategically to mitigate risks and protect organizational reputation.
• Expertise in translating complex information into clear, accessible messaging for diverse audiences, ensuring alignment with organizational values and goals.
• Experience managing multiple, large projects or facilitating complex discussions that involve stakeholders from across the health care sector who have varying interests/goals.

Who are we?

We are Ontario Health atHome, ready to serve every person in Ontario. We partner with patients and caregivers, family physicians, hospitals, long-term care and retirement homes, service providers and Ontario Health Teams, to deliver responsive, accessible, integrated, patient-centered care.

Why join us?

If you're interested in driving excellence in care and service delivery, and seeking an unparalleled opportunity to lead and learn, partner and connect, care and be cared for, this is your home.

Equity, Inclusion, Diversity and Anti-Racism Commitment

Ontario Health atHome is committed to a culture of equity, inclusion, diversity and anti-racism. We are committed to attracting, engaging and developing a workforce that reflects the diverse communities we serve. We welcome and encourage applications from all qualified applicants. Accommodations for persons with disabilities required during the recruitment process are available upon request.

Interested persons are invited to submit a cover letter and resume via email to Careers | Ontario Health atHome by December 1, 2024, at 4:30 p.m.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.