Job Description

JOB SUMMARY:

At Vancouver Coastal Health, we care for everyone, including our patients, clients and residents along with staff and medical staff. As Director, Communications Projects, you take the lead on developing communications plans, facilitating change leadership and executing health communications that support our strategic priorities.

Reporting to the Vice President, Communication, Equity and Partnerships, the Director, Communications Projects is responsible for providing organizational leadership on communications initiatives that drive change, deliver impact and facilitate better health outcomes.

The Director leads on the development of communications strategies and brand initiatives linked to our vision, values and pillars. You provide leadership and direction to cross-functional teams and work closely with leaders across the organization on internal and external communications initiatives.

If you have any questions, please reach out to Harleen Dastur-Randhawa, Manager, Executive Talent Acquisition at executivecareers@vch.ca. Please submit your resume and cover letter by 8:00 am Pacific Time on Novemnber 9th 2026.

As a Director, Communications Projects – Communications, Equity and Partnerships with Vancouver Coastal Health you will:

• The Director, Communications Projects will oversee communications initiatives that engage internal and external audiences to drive effective behavior change.
• Lead on special projects by formulating communications strategies, providing advice, facilitating collaboration and creating a deeper understanding of the organization’s vision, values and strategic direction.
• Oversee the communications approach to complex, time-sensitive projects – taking into consideration the needs of multiple, diverse audiences and the platforms and content that facilitate action – to advance organizational goals.
• Provide leadership and expertise in the development of strategic communications policies, procedures, initiatives and services for VCH.
• Oversee and/or leads high profile corporate initiatives ensuring appropriate stakeholder engagement, messaging, and measurement.
• Develop, manage and monitor effective financial and workforce plans within operational demands and environmental constraints.
• Provide an active and positive leadership example within the health authority, clearly communicating the organization’s strategic direction and business plan and ensuring its ability to deliver improvements and positive health outcomes.
• Provide overall leadership and direction to regional team members using effective management techniques (e.g, coaching, mentoring, skill and leadership development, performance management).
• Carry out responsibilities in accordance with health and safety requirements. Immediately reports unsafe situations by notifying supervisor or other appropriate personnel.
• Perform other related duties as assigned; often working in collaboration with other health authorities.

Education & Experience

• Master’s Degree in Communications, Public Relations or other relevant discipline plus a minimum of ten (10) years’ recent, related experience in progressively more complex senior management/leadership roles in a large, multi-union environment or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Knowledge & Abilities

• Develops and maintains strong relationships with key internal and external partners including management and staff at all levels, media, government agencies and other health authorities.
• Uses a comprehensive knowledge of communication and public relations strategies theories/practices as well an understanding of a complex multi-union healthcare environment to identify, develop and implement policies, strategies, key messages and initiatives for the strategy and vision.
• Applies knowledge of relevant statutory and legal requirements to ensure effective disclosure of information as well as a solid understanding of various levels of government.
• Expertly applies knowledge and understanding of the essence and subtleties of communication to ensure exchanges are understood at all levels within a complex internal and external network.
• Develops and maintains strong relationships with key internal and external partners to promote and enhance services provided with sensitivity to diversity and indigenous lens.
• Practices the recognition, inclusion and support of all types and aspects of diversity at all stages of engagement, with an understanding of the issues faced by people from equity-deserving groups.
• Strong understanding of stakeholder needs and an acute awareness of the impact of actions.
• Applies superior conflict management, critical thinking, judgment and political expertise to present key messages, and persuade and influence internal and external stakeholders, ensuring effective and appropriate media and public relations.
• Identifies emerging initiatives, trends and industry best practices and ensures full consideration in the development and implementation of service delivery goals and objectives.
• Uses well developed leadership, customer relations and problem solving abilities to lead a variety of complex and integrated services initiatives and to achieve desired results within critical timeframes.
• Physical ability to perform the duties of the position.

Shared Values:

You care for everyone:

• You are compassionate, empathetic, and sensitive to the needs of others.
• You are respectful, treating people as equals, and valuing others’ perspectives and differences.
• You are appreciative of others’ efforts and give them praise when it’s due.

You are always learning:

• You are open minded, always receptive to different perspectives and ways of doing things.
• You are curious and ask questions to find a deeper understanding.
• You share your expertise and mentor others by sharing your knowledge and experience.

You strive for better results:

• You are accountable, and take responsibility for what you say, what you do, and who you engage in achieving better results.
• You are a solution finder, empowered to solve the challenges we face in healthcare.
• You take ownership for growth and development and personal development, always seek feedback and opportunities to improve how we do things.

Details

At Vancouver Coastal Health, our vision of healthy lives in healthy communities inspires us and our values and pillars guide us. We support equitable practices, diverse teams and inclusive environments, which are vital to creating welcoming spaces where everyone can bring their whole selves to work and feel supported. We encourage applications from equity-deserving communities, including Indigenous Peoples and members of racialized groups, people with disabilities and people of all gender identities and expressions and sexual orientation.Vancouver Coastal Health is proud to be recognized as one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers, BC’s Top Employers, Canada’s Best Diversity Employers and Canada's Top Employers for Young People in 2026.Please submit your digital application via the Internal Career Portal prior to the Closing Date & Time.We regret that only short listed candidates will be acknowledged.This is an internal job posting for Vancouver Coastal Health employees only.