Advisor 3, Media Relations

About The Ottawa Hospital

Inspired by research and driven by compassion!

The Ottawa Hospital (TOH) is one of Canada¿s largest learning and research multi-campus hospitals. With more than 1,100 beds and approximately 12,000 staff members, we deliver specialized care to the Eastern Ontario region.

From the compassion of our people to the relentless pursuit of new discoveries, The Ottawa Hospital never stops seeking solutions to the most complex health-care challenges while continually engaging with the community to support our vision for better patient care.

Working together with its research institute, the University of Ottawa, and other partners, the hospital is continually gaining national and international recognition for high-quality patient care, teaching and research, while striving to meet the needs of the culturally diverse community we serve.

Rotation/Shifts

Days, 8 hour shifts.

What you will do

Reporting to the Manager, Communications Strategy and Media Relations, the Media Relations Officer will be responsible for providing communications services in support of TOH¿s mission, vision, and objectives.The Media Relations Officer assists in planning, organizing and implementing initiatives to communicate hospital policies, programs and positions regarding a variety of issues.

Key responsibilities:

• Writes and edits media releases, statements, advisories, articles, backgrounders and key messages.

• Coordinate's logistics of media interviews, including the obtaining of all appropriate consents and approvals and gives proper notification, determination of timing and venue, and selection of spokespeople for medical/health related stories.

• Develops and pitches story ideas that promote The Ottawa Hospital¿s strategic vision and priorities.

• Creates comprehensive key messages to provide spokespeople with all required information.

• Develops and maintains good working relations with the media, including local and national newspapers, magazines, radio and television.

• Is part of a team that provides on-call (after hours) coverage for media inquiries.

• Monitor's news media daily and creates daily media review to be shared with senior management.

• Assists with media training, including coaching of spokespeople on verbal and non-verbal communications issues.

• Maintains and updates electronic list of media contact information.

• Provides ongoing analysis of media coverage and identifies opportunities to communicate TOH¿s messages.

• Assists in determining story ideas featuring departments and services within The Ottawa Hospital and promotes them to the media on a proactive basis.

• Identifies and proposes opportunities for improved outreach and communications.

• Identifies sensitive issues and potentially negative stories.

• Fields calls from the media and coordinates interviews with hospital spokespeople.

• Writes, edits and produces a wide range of products for internal and external stakeholders, including: media releases, advisories, articles, backgrounders, key messages, videos, web and intranet content, promotional materials, social media messages

• Provides strategic communications advice and support to other departments, committees and working groups as required.

• Develops and maintains good working relations with stakeholders and partners.

• Contributes to the development of TOH communication strategies and messaging.

Basic Requirements

• Undergraduate degree in Journalism, Communications, Public Relations or equivalent;

• Minimum three to five years of experience in Media Relations;

• Strong writing, editing and proofreading skills;

• Strong interpersonal and communications skills;

• Strong organizational skills with a focus on quality and accuracy;

• Knowledge and understanding of the Privacy of Personal Information Act;

• Ability to manage multiple projects with competing deadlines;

• Ability to react and respond quickly to media requests;

• Capable of working independently, while being a collaborative member of a communications team;

• Knowledge and experience with social media;

• Experience with, and a proven understanding of media and issues management;

• Experience in journalism is an asset;

• Skills in photography and videography are an asset;

• Eligible to work in Canada;

• Proficiency in English and French ¿ oral expression (advanced level) and comprehension (advanced level).

Language proficiency requirements are based on the nature of the position and the level of interaction with French- and English-speaking clients.

What you can expect from us

The Ottawa Hospital is committed to providing a healthy, safe, and inclusive work environment for everyone. We are driven by our purpose to provide each patient with the world-class care, exceptional service and compassion we would want for our loved ones.

We offer an attractive and equitable compensation package including a comprehensive benefits package, a Defined Benefit Pension (DBP) plan, and insurance protection. We also offer discounts from choice providers on a variety of products and services.

The Ottawa Hospital provides various Health and Wellness resources as well as opportunities for personal and professional development opportunities from our in-house Learning and Leadership Development team to help align your goals with your career objectives.

Interested? Apply today!

If you are passionate about what you do, motivated by improving the health of the community, excited by leading-edge medical technology, and as committed to excellence, quality and patient safety as we are, we would like to hear from you. Please submit an on-line application for the position you are interested in. We thank all those who apply but only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.
The Ottawa Hospital is an equal opportunity employer. Upon request, accommodations due to a disability are available throughout the recruitment process.