Role Summary

In accordance with the Mission, Vision and Values, and strategic directions of PHSA, safety, including both patient and employee safety, is a priority and a responsibility shared by everyone at PHSA’s Agencies/Divisions/Services, and as such, the requirement to continuously improve quality and safety is inherent in all aspects of this position.

Reporting to the Manager, Communications, BCCHR, the Communications Coordinator serves as a key member of the Communications team responsible for providing communications services to BCCHR. The Communications Coordinator supports development and implementation of internal and external communications for BCCHR, ensuring that communications are high quality, consistent and facilitate change while maintaining relationships among internal and external stakeholders. The Communications Coordinator provides support and/or guidance to colleagues and clients in writing, editing and producing consistent and quality communication materials and messages (including online and digital) for BCCHR.

Key Accountabilities

• Liaises with internal stakeholders to implement communication plans and activities, and with external stakeholders to respond to requests for information, collaborate on joint initiatives and events, and to coordinate communication activities.
• Researches, writes, and produces diverse communications. Coordinates the development, production and distribution of internal and external communications products. Determines content in conjunction with subject matter experts under direction of the Manager, Communications, BCCHR. Creates action plans, detailing the necessary steps to implement changes or enhancements. Prepares required information for senior staff and leadership, such as issues notes or briefing notes with appropriate key message and other relevant information to share with staff.
• Liaises with internal and external stakeholders to develop a broad understanding of important issues, challenges and strategic direction being undertaken and to foster open dialogue between key stakeholders. In collaboration with the Communications team, supports the development of plans and communicates messages to promote awareness of initiatives and contribute to a positive reputation for BCCHR and PHSA. Recommends and implements internal and external communications plans and activities that could include internal and external e-newsletters, digital communications, information sessions, and special events for internal and external audiences.
• Conducts interviews with internal and external audiences. Writes, edits, and coordinates production of a variety of content and material for internal and external publications, digital and print communication channels. Coordinates and produces content for the BCCHR website and intranet and the C&W/PHSA website and intranet where appropriate. Works collaboratively with members of the BCCHR and PHSA Communications teams on communications plans and initiatives, and to respond to media and community inquiries and issues.
• Researches, writes and assists in the management of proactive media releases under the direction of the Manager, Communications, BCCHR. Provides media support, including serving as a media escort and obtaining patient consent for media interviews when required. Develops and maintains relationships with media and professional bloggers. Supports proactive media relations activities to highlight BCCHR achievements. Supports the Manager in addressing media relations including responding to requests for information and interviews.
• Provides issues management support and communications advice to BCCHR and PHSA as assigned.
• Provides reporting metrics and analytics to BCCHR, and prepares reports as required.
• Plans, organizes and delivers special events including news conferences, Town Hall meetings, specials forums/meetings, receptions and other events as required.
• Works with appropriate vendors such as designers, programmers. Provides work direction to photographers contracted by BCCHR. Processes requests for photo use, coordinates use of stock images as required, coordinates updating and record-keeping with attention to consent, photo credit, licensing and copyright concerns. Under the direction of the Manager, Communications, BCCHR, coordinates implementation of visual identity guidelines and graphics standards, including providing direction to staff and external suppliers on usage as required.
• Reviews overall quality, consistency, factual accuracy, and effectiveness of complex communication materials. Edits and proofreads publications for accuracy and to ensure PHSA’s policies and style standards are maintained. Participates on implementing quality improvement programs to ensure services are provided in the most efficient and effective manner by ensuring standards are aligned with the organization’s mission and strategic plan and quality standards. Shares knowledge with team members and others internal and external to BCCHR for the purposes of communication, high performance teamwork and continuous quality improvement to support an innovative culture and a learning organization.
• Coordinates and delivers special projects as assigned and performs other duties as required.

Qualifications

• A level of education, training and experience equivalent to a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications, Marketing, Journalism or a related discipline and at least three (3) years of recent, related experience.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills.
• Solid journalistic writing and editing skills. Knowledge of media production methods.
• The ability to handle highly confidential and sensitive issues with skill, tact and diplomacy is important as is excellent decision-making skills; ability to work independently and as part of a team; flexibility to reprioritize quickly to meet changing priorities and deliver required results on deadline.
• Demonstrated initiative and understanding of internal and external communication issues.
• Physical ability to perform the duties of the position.
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office, Adobe Acrobat, dataset and web-based programs.
• Understanding of SEO, website information architecture, and intranet/web analytics is advantageous, as is knowledge of Photoshop.