Communications Officer, Centre for Vaccine Preventable Diseases

About us:

The Dalla Lana School of Public Health (DLSPH) is a Faculty of the University of Toronto that originated as one of the Schools of Hygiene begun by the Rockefeller Foundation in 1927. The School, which plays a critical role in the COVID-19 pandemic response, went through a dramatic renaissance after the 2003 SARS crisis and it is now the largest public health school in Canada, with more than 850 faculty, 1,000 students, and research and training partnerships with institutions throughout Toronto and the world. With $53.3 million in research funding per year, the School contributes to improving population health and health policy and health systems through discoveries and innovation in data science and AI, maternal, child and reproductive health, climate change, implementation and improvement sciences, preventable disease through vaccines and prevention through wellness such as with diabetes, comparative health policy, sustainable and equitable health systems, global and Indigenous health, among many other areas. This past year, $10 million philanthropic dollars was raised for research, education and knowledge translation, and the over 7000 alumni were deeply engaged through events and networking opportunities.

Your opportunity:

The Centre for Vaccine Preventable Diseases (CVPD) is an interdisciplinary centre that his hosted by the DLSPH, with members from across several faculties at the University of Toronto. The CVPD's mission is to increase health and to improve confidence in vaccines and immunization programs through the provision of evidence-based information aimed at communities, health care providers, schools, decision-makers, the general public, and other stakeholders. This will be achieved by sharing relevant evidence-based information that provides a tested, scientific basis for the health benefits of immunization and disease prevention and addressing misconceptions about vaccines through several communication channels including web resources, social media, seminars and in-person meetings and symposia.

To ensure the CVPD utilizes these channels effectively, a dedicated Communications Officer will be required for knowledge translation/mobilization. The Communications Officer role will build and accelerate communications objectives within the Centre for Vaccine Preventable Diseases. The successful candidate will be an organized and resourceful team player, who brings innovative ideasand is enthusiastic about raising vaccine confidence. The Communications Officer will be instrumental in implementing communication plans that support strategic objectives. For example, utilizing their strong writing and editing skills, they will use best practices in digital media and traditional communication methods to advance the CVPD's communication objectives. Using exemplary organizational skills, they will coordinate online and in-person events to ensure successful execution. The Communication Officer will also be responsible for creating reports to donors and stakeholders that demonstrate the work of the CVPD. They will also build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders to partner on story development and cross-promotional activities.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Implementing and developing CVPD communication plans
• Writing and editing copy and content to advance communications objectives; drafting documents for knowledge translation and print/online communication channels
• Liaising with internal and external stakeholders, including news reporters and media contacts
• Liaising with internal and external stakeholders, including news reportersand media contacts
• Developing and implementing social media strategies; Maintaining social media platforms.
• Advising on best practices and strategies to maximize media coverage and outreach.
• Conducting interviews with leaders, faculty, staff, and students for external publication
• Organizing, and executing virtual and in-person event activities including overseeing resource requirements, promoting, determining and executing related logistics.

Essential Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in Communications, Journalism or in a related field or acceptable combination of equivalent experience.
• Minimum four (4) years combined experience in communications and public relations , in cluding for online and digital platforms, within an academic or health care environment.
• Experience developing and implementing communications strategies and plans
• Experience with social media communications and increasing virtual engagement
• Experience conducting interviews, writing news, and feature stories
• Experience providing strategic and innovative communications recommendations (online and print)
• Experience organizing and executing virtual and in-person events
• Experience building and maintaining strategic partnerships with internal and external stakeholders
• Superior written and oral communications skills
• Excellent writing, and editing skills
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills liaising with a diverse set of individuals
• Strong attention to detail and organization skills
• Ability to work in a fast paced environment, with many competing priorities
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and social media platforms

To be successful in this role you will be:

• Communicator
• Insightful
• Organized
• Procedural

This is a term position of 1 year.

Closing Date: 04/15/2025, 11:59PM ET
Employee Group: USW
Appointment Type: Budget - Term
Schedule: Full-Time
Pay Scale Group & Hiring Zone:
USW Pay Band 11 -- $75,223. with an annual step progression to a maximum of $96,196. Pay scale and job class assignment is subject to determination pursuant to the Job Evaluation/Pay Equity Maintenance Protocol.
Job Category: Communication/Media/Public Relations
Recruiter: Amanda Krmek

Lived Experience Statement
Candidates who are members of Indigenous, Black, racialized and 2SLGBTQ+ communities, persons with disabilities, and other equity deserving groups are encouraged to apply, and their lived experience shall be taken into consideration as applicable to the posted position.