Director, Communications

Data. Discovery. Better Health.

ICES is a world-leading health research and analytics institute. With a wealth of data and analytic expertise, we create trusted evidence that has changed health policy and practice and helps ensure better health for all. 

Ready to discover more with us? Join our outstanding, collaborative team where your skills, knowledge and curiosity are valued and can change the future of health care.

At ICES, we recognize what matters most to our employees. Some of the great benefits of working at ICES include:

• Flexible remote work arrangements anywhere in Ontario
• Competitive Compensation
• Comprehensive Benefits Program
• HOOPP Pension Plan (Defined Pension)
• Employee Assistance Program and Dialogue Well Being Program
• Generous vacation, float, and caregiver days for all employees
• Education Fund and Dedicated Education Days
• Holiday Closure
• Perkopolis Employee Discount Program

Introduction:

ICES is seeking an experienced Communications expert to lead the Communications Department. The Director, Communications, provides strategic leadership for the planning, implementation and operational direction of the Communications Department. The Director is responsible for leading and managing a diverse team, and to ensure active and effective engagement occurs with other key departments across ICES. The position has a strategic leadership role with respect to ICES branding, traditional media, social media, ICES website content and development and innovations in communications, including in key areas of knowledge translation to policy and public audiences. The Director works collaboratively with the Manager Public Engagement and Knowledge Translation for coordination of knowledge translation activities for the ICES community and interest holder to ensure support as needed for patient/public engagement activities.  In addition, the position is responsible for supporting internal communications across an expanding network of ICES scientists and staff, including intranet content and development. The position is also responsible for fostering and supporting successful communications-related partnerships with our key interest holders (including supporting the CEO and other senior leaders in their engagements) in health care policy, other government ministries, community partners, other research institutes and clinical delivery contexts to ensure the relevance and utility of our communications products.

Responsibilities of the position include, but may not be limited to:

1. Accountable to the CEO and ICES Executive for the development and implementation of a communications strategy, with objectives and direction which align with and support the overall ICES strategic plan, its vision, mission and values;
2. Collaborate with key external interest holders such as Ministry of Health and others to maintain and build strong relationships and adapt communication strategies to ensure that key deliverables are met and that builds the profile of ICES;
3. Responsible for development of the annual operational plan for the department, which includes Key Performance Indicator review and development;
4. Support ICES corporate and strategic initiatives through participation on internal and external committees;
5. Responsible for developing an ICES brand that reflects and maintains the reputation of the organization and ensure consistency in applications of that brand across the ICES network of seven sites;
6. Collaborate, coordinate and regularly liaise with communications and knowledge translation staff working across all ICES sites;
7. Acts as a subject matter expert in communications and provides expertise across ICES to ensure that ICES information, products, expertise and resources are widely available, known and utilized;
8. Project owner for the on-going maintenance of the ICES intranet and website; and assume primary responsibility for the integrity of all material posted on those sites;
9. Accountable for maintaining high quality products/communications to enhance ICES' reputation including creating and maintaining ICES standard presentation materials. Oversees all internal and external communications, i.e., website, intranet, media releases, internal and external newsletters, website postings, publications, corporate presentations, infographics, videos and other media, impact stories, etc. and ensure high standards of product quality for all materials intended for distribution; be knowledgeable and maintain abreast of evolving trends and innovations in effective communication of scientific results;
10. Support ICES scientists in developing their skills, including how to effectively use new artificial intelligent (AI) enabled tools to enhance their work;
11. Incorporate AI tools as a core component of a broader communication strategy to improve reach, efficiency, and impact;
12. Ensures knowledge of ICES research programs, key researchers and engages with Science Office to promote communications supports available to scientists;
13. Ensure effective and efficient functioning of all communications activities;
14. Manage, coach and evaluate staff and promote team building and shared strategic goals for the department;
15. Interpret complex research findings for lay audiences, independently write material for communication to target audiences (e.g., decision-makers, policy makers, hospitals, planners, physicians);
16. Build and maintain appropriate relationships with external suppliers (e.g., designers, freelance writers, printers);
17. Plan and lead the development of the ICES annual report; leads the development of public facing versions of key internal documents/reports (e.g., strategic plan, data science strategy, etc.);
18. Responsible for the planning and organization of one annual conference for key internal and external interest holders and target audiences; and other conferences as required;
19. Other duties as may be assigned within the scope of this position.

Knowledge, skills, and abilities required: 

• Bachelor's Degree in Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, Communications or related field;
• Eight years of progressive communications experience, developing and executing strategic communication plans, preferably in an academic/science and/or health care environment;
• Experience working with or for government is an asset;
• Experience in public/patient engagement is an asset;
• A minimum of 5 years management experience;
• Demonstrated leadership, including the ability to supervise, train, evaluate and motivate staff;
• Superior oral and written communication skills;
• Outstanding interpersonal, verbal, presentation and written communication skills enable you to liaise equally effectively with senior leadership, internal staff, scientists, external interest holders and healthcare partners;
• A demonstrated leader that can manage, motivate and move teams toward desired outcomes. Additional essential skills include conflict resolution, decision-making, negotiation, problem-solving and proven project management skills;
• Adept at editing and web information management;
• Strong customer service orientation and commitment to service excellence;
• Flexibility and ability to work under pressure to manage multiple competing priorities within tight deadlines, and balance several, disparate tasks;
• Experience in project management, developing and executing strategic communications plans;
• Understanding of research, medical, and epidemiological terminology, and familiarity with the Ontario health care system and its key interest holder groups;
• Knowledge of web-based applications, desktop publishing and the graphic design/printing process;
• Familiarity and ability to work with/supervise external vendors to deliver superior products on time and within budget.

This full-time opportunity is for an existing vacancy at ICES Central. The annual salary range for this role is $118,000 - $147,000. Successful candidate must reside within Ontario while working under our remote flex model and be able to come into the office when required from time to time.

Security clearance may be required.

Interested candidates should submit their resume and cover letter detailing how their knowledge, skills and abilities match the scope of this position.

ICES is committed to ensuring equity in employment. Our goal is to attract, develop, and retain highly talented employees from diverse backgrounds allowing us to benefit from a wide variety of experiences and perspectives. ICES strongly encourages applications from candidates from equity-deserving communities including but not limited to First Nations, Métis, Inuit, Black and racialized, 2SLGBTQIA+, and persons with visible and non-visible disabilities.

ICES is committed to providing accessible employment practices, in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA). Applicants are asked to make accommodation requests to ICES and we will make every effort to ensure that accommodation requests are met throughout the recruitment process.

We thank all applicants for their interest in working at ICES. Due to the volume of applications received, only applicants being considered for the position will be contacted for further discussions.

Location

Toronto, Ontario (Hybrid)

Department

Communications

Employment Type

Full-Time

Minimum Experience

Senior Manager/Supervisor

Compensation

Annual Salary Range $118,000 - $147,000