Manager Communications - BC Children's Hospital Research Institute
Research Communications
Vancouver, BC
In accordance with the Purpose, Vision, Values and Teachings of the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA), the Manager, Communications at BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute (BCCHRI) is a strategic, compassionate and culturally-safe communicator who – using an inclusive, equitable and anti-racist lens – serves with purpose while upholding a shared responsibility for ensuring the highest standards of patient and employee safety and contributing to continuous quality improvement in all aspects of the position.
The Manager, Communications, BCCHRI is accountable for BCCHRI’s communications strategy and communications activities in support of BCCHRI’s strategic plan.
Reporting to the Senior Director, Administration & Operations, BCCHRI, in support of the Executive Director, BCCHRI, and working closely with PHSA’s Communications & Engagement Department,, the Manager, Communications, BCCHRI is accountable for planning, implementing and evaluating communications and public affairs initiatives at BCCHRI. The Manager, Communications provides counsel to executive, administrative and scientific leadership on communications planning and facilitation; identifies and manages sensitive issues; prepares briefing notes; identifies and coaches media spokespersons; plans media events in collaboration with PHSA Communications and oversees BCCHR communications materials such as the website, newsletters, news releases and other materials. In addition, the Manager, Communications works with key BCCHR investigators, staff to support BCCHR change internally and oversee the implementation of corporate identity strategies. The role contributes to creating a strong team environment by fostering trust and mutual respect, and supporting open dialogue on issues that allow for the optimization of BCCHR’s projects and strategic goals. The Manager also supports BCCHR’s efforts to continually improve on the high quality of service provided to BCCHR’s research community.
The Manager, Communications is a senior communications professional leading a communications team to provide timely advice and support to BCCHR executive, scientific and administrative leadership on all matters under its mandate. The Manager, Communications contributes to the overall communications strategy of PHSA in conjunction with other senior communications staff.
What you’ll do
- Lead strategic communications and media relations for BCCHR in alignment with communications plans across the BC Children’s Hospital campus and consistent with PHSA communications processes. Advise executive, leadership and spokespersons on communications opportunities and issues.
- Plan, implement and evaluate goals and objectives for communications at BCCHR consistent with the BCCHR strategic plan Leads analysis of the current situation and future requirements of the area, initiating the development of specific goals and objectives and setting priorities for planning and implementing strategies in conjunction with corporate communications staff, BCCHR executive and leadership.
- Oversee the day-to-day operations of the communication function at BCCHR, including compliance with PHSA policy and applicable UBC polices. Provide leadership to staff through coaching, guiding and role modeling key behaviors/strategies, encouraging dialogue and providing guidance and advice to facilitate resolutions to work issues. Assist team members to define shared and individual goals, meet target dates and ensure alignment of team goals with customer needs.
- Develop the capital and operating budget for the department. Responsibilities include monitoring budget performance, reporting variance, planning and adjusting operations and / or staffing to meet projections and annual targets, approving expenditures, and preparing summaries for fiscal reporting as required. Participate in quarterly reviews of the BCCHR budget with Senior Director, Administration & Operations contributing to the optimization of budget resources across BCCHR Administration Group.
- Review need for and make recommendations for hiring decisions to the Senior Director, Administration & Operations and Executives Director. With the Senior Director, Administration & Operations’ approval, recruit, hire, and supervise staff by identifying vacancies, interviewing applicants, and making hiring decisions; investigating work and staff issues which may lead to discipline or termination in partnership with Human Resources; and clarifying roles and responsibilities, outlining expectations, and evaluating individual and team performance in collaboration with appropriate internal stakeholders and the Senior Director, Administration & Operations . Provide leadership to staff through collaborative coaching, guiding and modeling key behaviours and strategies, encouraging dialogue and providing guidance and advice to facilitate resolutions to work issues. Fosters team spirit, trust and mutual respect.
- Evaluate BCCHR Communications performance and respond to changing customer needs by conducting continuous assessments of the team’s activities, facilitating feedback within and across programs and responding to changing demands. Develop and implement quality improvement programs and initiatives for Communications consistent with the BCCHR strategic plan.
- Provide key communication advice and guidance to the BCCHR executive and leadership team including providing counsel on strategies and activities to increase awareness and support for BCCHR and to influence decisions and policies in support of PHSA and BCCHR strategic directions. Counsel members of BCCHR executive and leadership team in anticipating, managing and responding to government inquiries and complex issues.
- Seek opportunities to profile BCCHR’s research outcomes, demonstrating return on investment for funding. Oversee creation and production of BCCHR communications materials (such as internal and external publications, website), delegate production roles such as writing and editing content, in support of BCCHR ’s communications plan and BCCHR ’s strategic plan.
- Identify and recommend response to media issues and media inquiries, manage media activity and respond and/or delegate responses to media inquiries and coordinate internal response, including being a spokesperson for BCCHR as required.
- Identify and evaluate new initiatives and partnership opportunities. Communicate information and make recommendations to the Senior Director, Administration & Operations and Executive Director, BCCHR and/or Senior Director, Communications & Engagement, PHSA for evaluation and approval. Facilitate implementation of approved initiatives and monitors and take remedial action as required. Lead other communications initiatives and implement additional communications plans and tactics to address emerging needs of BCCHR .
What you bring
Qualifications
- A level of education, training, and experience equivalent to a university degree in communications, journalism or a related field and a minimum of seven (7) to ten (ten) years of experience, including two (2) years of experience in a supervisory capacity.
- Demonstrated knowledge of the historic and ongoing impacts of settler colonialism on Indigenous Peoples within social and health contexts. This includes significant understanding of Indigenous-specific mandates and a commitment to addressing and mitigating Indigenous-specific racism and discrimination. The role involves actively embedding Indigenous Cultural Safety and Humility into daily practices and fostering a diverse and inclusive team environment. Additionally, it requires practical expertise in engaging with diversity, promoting equity, and advancing inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
- Demonstrated practical knowledge and understanding of legislative obligations and provincial commitments relevant to Research Communications, based on foundational documents such as the Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight (2020), BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Reclaiming Power and Place: Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls Calls for Justice (2019), the Declaration Act Action Plan, Remembering Keegan: A First Nations Case Study, Anti-Racism Data Act, and the BC Human Rights Code. This includes understanding how these obligations intersect across the healthcare system and applying this knowledge to support team compliance and operational effectiveness.
Core Competencies
- Possesses a strong understanding of Indigenous-specific racism and broader systemic racism within the colonial health care structure. Demonstrates practical leadership in identifying and addressing barriers, promoting an environment of belonging, and ensuring Indigenous Cultural Safety. Actively engages in action-oriented practices to address Indigenous-specific racism and dismantle systems of oppression, while also confronting broader issues of racism and discrimination. Exhibits strong DEI and anti-racism skills to lead by example, fostering a culture of continuous learning, equity, inclusion, and belonging within their team.
- Knowledge of social, economic, political and historical realities of settler colonialism on Indigenous Peoples and familiarity with addressing Indigenous-specific anti-racism, anti-racism and Indigenous Cultural Safety and foundational documents and legislative commitments (the Declaration Act, the Declaration Action Plan, TRC, IPS, Remembering Keegan, etc.).
Skills & Knowledge
- Demonstrated knowledge of the principles of communications and marketing. Demonstrated knowledge of social marketing as applied to healthcare. Demonstrated knowledge of legislative policy development and processes of various levels of government.
- Demonstrated leadership and managerial skills. Demonstrated ability to create and execute strategic communication plans.
- Demonstrated understanding of the essence and subtleties of communications in order that exchanges are understood at all levels within a complex internal and external network. Demonstrated ability to respond to the needs of stakeholders supported by an acute awareness of the impact of actions.
- Demonstrated ability to problem-solve with a global perspective in order to incorporate the organization’s action for self and others that are results oriented. Demonstrated commitment to the value of continuous learning.
- Demonstrated deep understanding of their personal learning/unlearning journey in relation to Indigenous-specific racism and dismantling systems of oppression, as well as addressing racism more broadly. Able to articulate and share this journey to motivate and inspire others enhancing a culture of learning/unlearning and self-reflection.
- Demonstrated knowledge of the social, economic, political realities of settler-colonialism and impacts on Indigenous peoples in social and health contexts as well as knowledge and understanding of, and commitment to upholding legislative obligations and provincial commitments in the foundational documents: Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight (2020), BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Reclaiming Power and Place Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls Calls for Justice (2019), the Declaration Act Action Plan, Remembering Keegan: A First Nations Case Study, and the Distinctions Based Approach.
What we bring
Every PHSA employee enables the best possible patient care for our patients and their families. Whether you are providing direct care, conducting research, or making it possible for others to do their work, you impact the lives of British Columbians today and in the future. That’s why we’re focused on your care too – offering health, wellness, development programs to support you – at work and at home.
- Join one of BC’s largest employers with province-wide programs, services and operations – offering vast opportunities for growth, development, and recognition programs that honour the commitment and contribution of all employees.
- Access to professional development opportunities through our in-house training programs, including +2,000 courses, such as our San’yas Indigenous Cultural Safety Training course, or Core Linx for Leadership roles.
- Enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including municipal pension plan, and psychological health & safety programs and holistic wellness resources.
- Annual statutory holidays (13) with generous vacation entitlement and accruement.
- PHSA is a remote work friendly employer, welcoming flexible work options to support our people (eligibility may vary, depending on position).
- Access to WorkPerks, a premium discount program offering a wide range of local and national discounts on electronics, entertainment, dining, travel, wellness, apparel, and more.
Job Type: Regular, Full-Time
Salary Range: $90,770 - $130,481 /year. The starting salary for this position would be determined with consideration of the successful candidate’s relevant education and experience, and would be in alignment with the provincial compensation reference plan. Salary will be prorated accordingly for part time roles.
Location: 4500 Oak St, Vancouver, BC V6H 3N1
Closing date: Applications accepted until position is filled
Hours of Work: 09:00-17:00 (Monday to Friday)
Requisition #: 199495E
What we do
The Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA) plans, manages and evaluates specialized health services with the BC health authorities to provide equitable and cost-effective health care for people throughout the province. Our values reflect our commitment to excellence and include: Respect people – Be compassionate – Dare to innovate – Cultivate partnerships – Serve with purpose.
Learn more about PHSA and our programs: jobs.phsa.ca/programs-and-services
PHSA is committed to equity in our hiring and employment practices. With learning and compassion, we are addressing existing inequities and barriers throughout our systems. PHSA is seeking to create a diverse workforce and to establish an inclusive and culturally safe environment. We invite applications and enquiries from all people, particularly those belonging to the historically, systemically, and/or persistently marginalized groups identified under the B.C. Human Rights Code.
One of PHSA’s North Star priorities is to eradicate Indigenous-specific racism, which includes dismantling barriers to health care employment at every level. We welcome Indigenous individuals to apply and/or contact the Sanya'kula Team (Indigenous Recruitment & Employee Experience) for support at [email protected].
Indigenous-specific anti-racism initiatives are rooted in addressing the unique forms of discrimination, historical and ongoing injustices, and marginalization faced by Indigenous peoples. These initiatives align with an Indigenous rights-based approach, recognizing the inherent rights and self-determination of Indigenous communities. PHSA must uphold legislative obligations and provincial commitments found in the foundational documents such as including Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight (2020), BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Reclaiming Power and Place Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls Calls for Justice (2019), the Declaration Act Action Plan and Remembering Keegan: A First Nations Case Study.
Attention current employees of PHSA:
You must apply via your internal profile at http://internaljobs.phsa.ca.
The internal job posting expires on June 8, 2026 and will no longer be accessible. If the internal job posting has expired, please e-mail [email protected] with the six-digit job requisition number and your PHSA employee ID number to be considered as a late internal applicant. Please do not apply for the external job posting.
If you have not yet set up an internal profile, please e-mail [email protected] with your PHSA employee ID number to obtain your temporary password. Our business hours are Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:30pm, excluding Statutory Holidays and a Help Desk Representative will respond to you with 1-2 business days.
If you are not a current employee of PHSA and require assistance with your application, please contact the External Careers team at [email protected].
