Director, Communications, Planning & Risk

Position Overview

Reporting to the Vice President People and Strategy, the Director Communications, Planning & Risk plays a pivotal role in driving the success of Group Health Centre (GHC). This position oversees a wide range of essential functions that contribute to the organization's strategic and operational effectiveness. The Director will lead the development and execution of comprehensive communications strategies that promote GHC’s brand and engage key stakeholders. This includes managing the corporate website, intranet, internal and external communications, and overseeing the patient relations process. In addition, this role will provide high-level coordination and expertise to support the strategic and operational planning processes, ensuring alignment with GHC’s long-term goals and the successful implementation of these plans. The Director will ensure adherence to legislative requirements, including the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), to maintain organizational compliance across key areas. This position will coordinate the development and delivery of a robust Enterprise Risk Management system, ensuring GHC proactively manages risk and implements mitigation strategies. A key accountability of this role will be to cultivate and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, as well as advocate for GHC’s mission while fostering a collaborative environment that enhances engagement and involvement. The Director will provide leadership, guidance, and tools to GHC's leadership team aligned with the key functions of the role.

Required Qualifications

Education, Certification and Experience

• University degree in related discipline. 
• Eight (8) years of experience in a similar functional role
• Five (5) years’ experience in a leadership role

Job Duties & Responsibilities

Community Engagement

• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with community partners, stakeholders, and relevant organizations.
• Lead the design and implementation of community engagement programs, events, and initiatives.
• Represent the organization in community meetings, forums, and events to enhance its public image.
• Work closely with the Trust Fund and provide support to ensure optimal success in fundraising and raising awareness and investment in our medical equipment needs. 

Communication Strategy

• Develop and execute comprehensive communication plans to effectively convey GHC’s mission, values, and accomplishments to internal and external audiences.
• Oversee the creation of compelling content for various platforms, including press releases, social media, websites, and newsletters. 
• Collaborate with senior management to integrate communication and engagement efforts into the GHC’s broader strategies.
• Ensure clear and consistent internal communication.
• Provide leadership in crisis communication and manage communication during sensitive situations including the development and implementation of crisis communication plans to address unexpected challenges and manage communication during critical incidents.
• Craft key messages and responses for media inquiries, ensuring consistency and accuracy. 
• Ensure consistent branding and visually appealing communication materials.
• Oversee and participate in the development and design of forms, signage, and communication materials for internal and external use.
• Lead the maintenance and improvement of GHC’s external website and internal intranet. Ensure content is up-to-date, relevant, and user-friendly.
• Strategize and execute marketing campaigns to promote GHC programs, services, and initiatives to the community.
• Collaborate with relevant teams to ensure effective promotion and communication of service programs and offerings.

Patient Relations

• Oversee the management and resolution of patient concerns. 
• Track and report on trends specific to patient concerns and compliments for the purposes of continuous improvement and regular reporting and analysis to specific audiences, including Senior Leadership and the Board of Directors. 
• Oversee the patient experience survey, including ongoing promotion and reporting on trends and opportunities. 
• Work with colleagues and peers to develop and implement strategies to enhance patient satisfaction, experience and communication.

Strategic & Operational Planning

• Assist in the coordination of the annual review, cyclical updating and refreshing of the strategic plan, as well as coordination and monitoring of strategic initiative implementation plans. This may include developing and launching surveys, coordinating focus groups and compiling feedback in an organized way, assisting in the development of retreat and meeting materials, leading sessions and supporting leadership in the development of the strategic plan. 
• Provide expertise, feedback and guidance to ensure the best practice methodologies are applied to GHC strategic and business planning projects and initiatives.   
• Assist with the establishment and coordination of key planning activities such as annual and multi-year operational planning, as well as corporate scorecard establishment and reporting.
• Coach and mentor leaders in the completion of operational planning for their areas. 
• Monitor the operational planning process and provide feedback and guidance as required. 
• Assist in the creation of templates and tools for operational planning and project management. 
• Provide guidance to department leaders and project leads in the successful delivery of key work and initiatives aimed at achieving our strategic goals. 

Legislative Compliance & Enterprise Risk Management

• Monitor and report on organizational legislative compliance.
• Coordinate the required plans and reports in collaboration with GHC stakeholders and monitor compliance with required legislation related to accessibility for Ontarians with disabilities.
• Coordinate the framework utilized to identify, mitigate and manage risks associated with GHC strategy, overall business planning and operations including the development of an enterprise risk registry and related reporting.
• Coordinate and provide support to leadership in the development of the strategic risk registry, as well as the annual completion of the HIROC risk modules focusing on risks associated with both strategic and operational activities.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities  

• Proven ability to lead, develop and implement effective communications plans and strategies. 
• Excellent knowledge and understanding of operational and strategic planning, as well as enterprise risk management best practices.  
• Proven ability to develop positive working relationships with internal and external stakeholders including staff, leadership, and providers. 
• Well-developed skill set in coaching, supporting and inspiring colleagues.   
• Strong conflict resolution management skills. 
• Skilled in exercising initiative, judgment, and sound decision-making. 
• Demonstrated ability to serve as a knowledgeable resource to the organization’s management team that provides leadership and direction. 
• Strong understanding of the elements of successful team dynamics and proven skill at leading teams. 
• Excellent skills relating to policy and procedure development implementation and evaluation. 
• Well-developed skill in living each of the GHC values.  

Compensation:

$110,056.04 - $133,900.00

Comprehensive Benefit Package & Enrolment in Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP)

Paid Vacation & Leave Provision 

Operations:

Monday to Friday – Business Hours

Weekends & Holidays Off

Applications:

Please apply through ADP Career Centre by Friday, April 18, 2025.

Interested applicants are asked to submit a cover letter and resume indicating their qualifications for the position by the application deadline.  Those selected for interviews will be required to demonstrate their qualifications and required skills and abilities as outlined above. Group Health Centre is committed to an application and interview process and work environment that is inclusive and barrier free. Accommodation will be provided in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code/AODA. Applicants need to make any accommodation requests for the application or interview process known in advance by contacting the Human Resources Department at 705-759-5513. We thank all applicants, however only those under consideration will be contacted.