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.

At CHEO, we are committed to making a difference in the lives of children, youth and families by providing exceptional care and services. We are seeking a dynamic individual to fill a key role in the organization.

Reporting to the Manager of Strategic Communications, the Communications Specialist – Engagement and External Relations, will contribute to initiatives that support CHEO’s vision of the best life for every child and youth, specifically in leading the coordination of engagement opportunities and experiences with internal and external partners. The specialist will also provide support to the CHEO communications team for various initiatives.

The Communications Specialist – Engagement and External Relations, will develop and execute impactful engagement strategies to meet the needs of the organization. Working with colleagues across CHEO, The CHEO Foundation and CHEO Research Institute (RI), the Communications Specialist will ensure effective project management that leverages strong relationships with internal and external partners to deliver impactful events and engagement opportunities that support the CHEO brand and strategic priorities. The Communications Specialist will develop and execute communications plans to meet measurable goals, will identify strategic communications opportunities, leverage a variety of internal and external communications channels, and reach targeted audiences with key messages, multimedia content and compelling narratives, which they will help develop. The Communications Specialist understands the importance of community engagement and relationship stewardship, drawing on their extensive experience in events management and partner engagement to support the goals of the organization.

Given CHEO’s designation as a bilingual health institution and the responsibilities of this role, a strong understanding of Franco-Ontarian and Western Quebec cultures is considered a very strong asset. Experience working with municipal, provincial and federal governments is also an asset.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Deliver impactful engagement opportunities for CHEO, aligned with key priorities of the organization.
• Provide events and engagement guidance to communications projects.
• Work collaboratively with peers at the CHEO Research Institute and the CHEO Foundation to align for maximum impact and effectiveness.
• Promote and carry out best practices in project management, engagement and relationship stewardship, with a commitment to continuous improvement across CHEO.
• Perform other related duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Criminal Record Check (CRC) (Essential)
• Formal education in communications or related field or equivalent experience (Essential)
• 3-5 years of experience in the field of communications (Essential)
• Experience writing and executing communications plans (Essential)
• Experience in developing communications products across a variety of channels and formats (Essential)
• Exceptional verbal and written skills; (Essential)
• Ability to ensure on-time completion of tasks; (Essential)
• Deal effectively with internal and external customers; (Essential)
• Fluently bilingual in English and French, with superior (A-level) writing skills in both languages; (Essential)

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 TalentAcquisition@cheo.on.ca 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.