Communications Specialist, Knowledge Institute on Child and Youth Mental Health and Addictions - Temporary Full-Time (1.0) (until October 2027)

Please Note: If you are a current CHEO employee with access to Workday, please apply to this posting via the Workday application as an internal applicant using the Jobs Hub.
 

To successfully apply for this position, please submit your application by 11:59 pm the day before the advertised closing date in the posting to ensure your application is received. 
 

Ottawa is built on un-ceded Algonquin Anishinaabe territory. The peoples of the Algonquin Anishinabek Nation have lived on this territory for millennia and we honour them and this land. Their culture and presence have nurtured and continue to nurture this land. CHEO also honours all First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples and their valuable past and present contributions to this land.

CHEO is one of the few stand-alone, global leaders in pediatric health and is home to more than 6,500 staff, clinicians, scientists and researchers, as well as volunteers – all of whom work together to help children and youth achieve their best lives. Within its own walls and through partnerships with community providers, CHEO has transformed from a 20th century acute care hospital into a 21st century integrated child and youth health system.

Ranked in the top 1% of Canadian hospitals for the digitization of its clinical infrastructure, CHEO combines excellence in clinical care, research, and education to advance seamless care that’s provided where, when, and how it is needed. CHEO’s Research Institute is dedicated to world-class clinical, translational, and basic science research covering a wide range of children’s health concerns. CHEO has been named Canada’s best health-care employer by Forbes in 2024, 2025 and 2026 and is ranked second among Canadian hospitals on its list of Canada’s Best Employers for multiple consecutive years. For the 14th consecutive year in a row, the editors of Canada's Top 100 Employers has recognized CHEO as a top employer in the National Capital Region. Every year CHEO helps more than 500,000 children and youth from Eastern Ontario, western Quebec, Nunavut and Northern Ontario.
 

POSITION SUMMARY

For more than two decades, the Knowledge Institute on Child and Youth Mental Health and Addictions (the Knowledge Institute) has been bringing people and knowledge together to strengthen care for infants, children, young people, and families. As a trusted partner and advisor to several of Ontario’s ministries, we collaborate across sectors to drive high-quality mental health, substance use health and addictions care. We mobilize evidence, strengthen knowledge and skills, and accelerate system change to improve services for mental health, substance use health, and addictions across Ontario.
 

Reporting to the Manager, Strategic Communications, the Communications Specialist develops, delivers, and continuously evaluates and improves strategic communications that advance the Knowledge Institute's mission of strengthening child and youth mental health, substance use health and addictions services across Ontario.
 

Working collaboratively with the strategic communications team, project teams and external partners, the Communications Specialist develops and executes communications plans, identifies strategic communications opportunities, and creates compelling, audience-focused content that helps advance the Knowledge Institute's strategic goals and organizational priorities.
 

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic communications planning

• Develop and execute communications plans that support the Knowledge Institute's strategic priorities, projects, resources and initiatives;
• Identify strategic communications opportunities that increase awareness, engagement and the reach of the Knowledge Institute's work;
• Monitor and evaluate communications performance, incorporating analytics, feedback, and lessons learned into future planning and continuous improvement; and
• Stay current with emerging communications trends, technologies and best practices, and recommend opportunities to strengthen the Knowledge Institute's strategic communications.
   

Strategic communications advising and project support

• Partner with project teams to provide strategic communications advice throughout the planning, development and implementation of projects, resources and initiatives;
• Represent Communications at internal and external meetings to ensure communications considerations are incorporated into project planning; and
• Build collaborative relationships with staff, project leads, and partners to support effective communications planning and delivery.
   

Content development and storytelling

• Research, write, edit and coordinate engaging, audience-focused content for a variety of communications channels, including but not limited to websites, social media, newsletters, reports, presentations and media materials;
• Translate complex information into clear, accurate and audience-focused communications that support understanding and engagement;
• Ensure communications materials align with the Knowledge Institute's brand, editorial standards, accessibility requirements and style guides; and
• Work collaboratively with staff, project teams and partners to identify and develop stories and messaging that showcase the Knowledge Institute’s work and impact.
   

Other responsibilities include:

• Support the ongoing development and maintenance of the Knowledge Institute’s website and communications channels;
• Contribute to internal communications initiatives that support organizational priorities and employee engagement;
• Assist with media relations, social media, and government relations; and
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Manager, or in response to a dynamic and changing environment.
   

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism or a related field (Essential)
• Three to five (3-5) years of experience in communications or related field (Essential)
• Experience developing and implementing communications plans (Essential)
• Experience writing about health research (Preferred)
• Experience developing products in a variety of formats and for a variety of platforms (Essential)
• Experience monitoring and evaluating communications performance to support continuous improvement (Preferred)
• Superior oral and written communication skills (Essential)
• Superior organisational and project coordination skills (Essential)
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and manage multiple priorities (Essential)
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a team (Essential)
• Proficiency with creative communications software (PhotoShop, InDesign, Illustrator, Canva, etc.) (Preferred)
• Demonstrated understanding of child and youth mental health, substance use health and addictions (Preferred)
• Criminal Record Check (Level 1) (Essential)  
• Bilingualism (French/English) (Preferred)
   

Timeline may be extended or shortened based on operational needs.

Effective March 29, 2021, CHEO will conduct a more comprehensive pre-screening and evaluation process.  This process may include more varied and multidimensional testing such as a written test, practical exam, or other assessment. All candidates who meet the essential and preferred qualifications may be tested.
 

Bilingualism (French/English) will be validated by a language proficiency assessment conducted by a third party provider. Candidates will be required to meet the minimum linguistic profile prior to the date of hire.   
 

Should you require accommodation during any phase in the recruitment process, please contact Human Resources at [email protected]. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential and will be handled in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.