Senior Communications Specialist MAP

MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions is St. Michael’s Hospital’s largest research centre, with a primary strategic goal to effect policy change to advance health equity. Internationally recognized for groundbreaking science and innovation, MAP develops and implements real-world, evidence-driven program and policy solutions that disrupt cycles of socioeconomic exclusion and poor health. For more than 25 years, MAP has partnered with communities and policy makers across the country to take on complex issues such as homelessness, intimate partner violence, inequitable access to healthcare and the prevention of opioid-related harms. MAP’s impacts span from local to national and beyond. MAP’s vision is a healthier future for all.

MAP is home to 70 world-leading researchers, more than 200 research staff and students and approximately $150M multi-year contracts and awards. MAP is a proud partner of Staples Canada through Even the Odds, a fundraising and awareness initiative focused on advancing health equity across Canada. MAP is based at St. Michael’s Hospital which is a site of Unity Health Toronto, a hospital network that also includes St. Joseph’s Health Centre and Providence Healthcare.

About MAP’s Core Team

MAP’s Core Team is a collaborative, inclusive and energetic group that values creativity and joy in work. We provide centralized operational and strategic leadership and support to MAP’s scientists and research teams, enabling research excellence and maximizing the centre’s impact. We work together to help advance MAP’s strategic goals and support MAP scientists’ work to embed equity and evidence in Canada’s policies and practices.

Within the Core Team, MAP’s communications staff work together to tell compelling stories and bring MAP’s work to new audiences. Together, they are responsible for MAP’s internal and external strategic communications, branding, digital media and corporate partnership strategy and work in partnership with Unity Health Toronto’s Corporate Communications and Public Affairs team to advance MAP’s media relations and government relations.

About the Senior Communications Specialist role at MAP

This is an exciting new role for the centre and the MAP Core Team. The successful candidate will develop and lead new strategies to build MAP’s local, national and international profile and reputation, refreshing and leading implementation of MAP’s external communications strategy and translating MAP’s and others’ research into compelling content for the public, MAP’s partners and other audiences. MAP’s communications program is growing, with exciting opportunities ahead for creative storytelling, campaign development and engaging the public about the critical health and societal issues MAP studies.

We’re looking for a marketing-oriented, strategic and creative thinker who thrives as part of a team and brings strong experience creating outstanding digital content and bringing research and public health issues to life through clear, compelling writing.

The Senior Communications Specialist role will work closely with the MAP Core Team, MAP scientists and their teams, Unity Health Toronto’s Corporate Communications and Public Affairs team, the St. Michael’s Hospital Foundation and other communications/brand partners.

Duties and Responsibilities

Plan, coordinate, develop and implement communication strategies that advance and support MAP’s strategic priorities and promote MAP’s brand.

Identify, write and produce compelling stories and social media content that aligns to the strategic priorities of MAP and the St. Michael’s Hospital Research Institute and advances their external brand and reputation.

Identify media opportunities and assist with pitching and coordination in collaboration with Unity Health Toronto’s Corporate Communications and Public Affairs team and St. Michael’s Hospital Foundation team.

Implement components of MAP’s communications strategy such as writing impact reports and stories, leading and coordinating special events, preparing stewardship materials for corporate partners, preparing keynote decks and speaking notes, and developing content for MAP’s ‘MAPmaking’ podcast.

Contribute to content development across MAP’s platforms including basic social media photography/video and/or design of graphics and infographics to complement stories as needed.

Produce metrics that evaluate MAP’s communication channels and products.

Stay up to date with changes and best practices in all types of communications.

Manage external vendors as needed.

Special projects and other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Undergraduate degree/diploma in journalism, public relations, communications, or related area.

Minimum of 5 to 7 years of relevant experience required.

Experience communicating about equity issues, marginalized populations, public health and/or population health research is an asset.

Demonstrated alignment with MAP’s commitment to anti-racism, diversity, equity and inclusion.

Demonstrated experience in successfully developing and implementing communication strategies, social media campaigns, public awareness campaigns, corporate communications and media relations strategies.

Extensive knowledge of communications trends and ability to foresee newsworthy stories.

Exceptional writer and editor; must have ability to ensure error free materials.

Excellent verbal communications skills.

Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build relationships with a variety of internal and external stakeholders, including executives, board members and journalists.

Results oriented, self-directed and independent, with the ability to balance multifaceted projects and competing priorities.

Ability to work effectively under pressure; excellent judgement for assessing difficult situations.

Outstanding organization and time management skills.

High energy, flexibility and the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment.

Conditions of employment

This position may provide for a hybrid work schedule, with onsite work based at St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto. The normal hours of work are 37.5 hours per week for a full-time employee, recognizing that the needs of the research centre may require some flexibility in duties.

Equity statement

Equity and diversity are essential to research and academic excellence. An open and diverse community fosters the inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented or discouraged. We encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the Ontario Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Metis, Inuit, or Indigenous person. All candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority.

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

Unity Health Toronto is committed to creating an accessible and inclusive organization. We strive to provide a recruitment process that is barrier-free and in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and the Ontario Human Rights Code. We understand that you may require an accommodation at any stage of the recruitment process. When you are contacted, please inform the Talent Acquisition Specialist and we will work with you to meet your accommodation needs. We want to emphasize that all accommodation requests are handled with the utmost confidentiality, respecting your privacy and dignity.