Communications Advisor

About Us

The Department of Health and Wellness offers opportunities to grow and advance in a dynamic sector that touches the lives of all Nova Scotians. Along with our partners, including the Nova Scotia Health Authority and the IWK Health Centre, we’re committed to continually improving our health care system. With a focus on collaborative primary health care, continuing care, improved supports for mental health and addictions, digital health, capital infrastructure, and more, the department is thinking differently about how to plan, fund, legislate and monitor to improve access and service delivery. To do this, we need leaders at all levels of the organization who embrace a challenge and believe in their ability to make a difference.

We offer an opportunity to work with the Department of Health and Wellness’s Communications team, which is focused on government’s top priority of improving healthcare. We are a high-energy team working in a fast-paced environment.

The team also collaborates closely with other healthcare communications teams, including the Office of Addictions of Mental Health, Department of Seniors and Long-term Care, IWK Health and Nova Scotia Health.

About Our Opportunity

We’re looking for an experienced communicator who is passionate about delivering clear, impactful messages to a diverse range of audiences. You will work with staff to promote public understanding of healthcare initiatives, programs and services, and ensure priorities, policies and actions are clearly communicated. You will work with media, accepting and coordinating requests and media questions and developing answers. You will also work with professionals in marketing, video, photo, design and more to deliver quality communications products and strategies.

The ideal candidate is skilled in developing effective and innovative communication strategies. You have experience working with a diverse range of audiences and crafting communications strategies and products that are accessible and inclusive. You have experience in the full range of communications skills, tactics and strategies to support the needs of Health and Wellness. You will be expected to brief and advise senior leaders and elected officials.

Primary Accountabilities

The Communications Advisor works with partners to develop and implement communications strategies. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• briefing and providing advice to senior staff and elected officials
• supporting sessions of the Legislative Assembly and appearances at legislative committees
• media relations
• issues management
• writing news releases, speeches and other materials
• content development for social media, public announcements, marketing and web
• event planning
• working with partners on stakeholder communications
• occasional evening and weekend work may be required
  
  

Qualifications and Experience

The successful candidate should have a post-secondary degree in public relations, communications, journalism and several years of professional communications experience, or an acceptable equivalent.

The successful candidate should also have:

• strong writing skills, including plain language skills, and speech writing experience
• experience with media relations
• strong collaborative work ethic
• significant experience developing and implementing comprehensive communications strategies that leverage traditional and emerging digital strategies
• experience in communications strategies and tactics for inclusion and accessibility
• experience with social media and digital platforms/technologies and the ability to effectively engage large audiences with minimal resources
• experience advising clients and working with a diverse range of stakeholders, including a grasp of Nova Scotia’s unique social, historical and demographic makeup
• experience and comfort briefing and advising senior staff and elected officials
• experience working in a fast-paced, collaborative work environment, under tight deadlines
  
  

Equivalency

Applicants relying on education and experience equivalencies must demonstrate such equivalencies in their application.

Assets

Assets for this role include:

• Previous public sector experience
• Leadership experience
• Editorial skills
• French-language skills
• Experience working with marginalized communities
  
  

Benefits

The Government of Nova Scotia offers its employees a wide range of benefits such as a Defined Benefit Pension Plan, Health, Dental, Life Insurance, General illness, Short- and Long-Term Disability, Vacation and Employee and Family Assistance Programs.  For information on all our Benefit program offerings, click here: Benefits for government employees.

What We Offer

• Career Development where you have access to career guidance, tools, resources, and ongoing training for every stage of your career.
• Engaging workplace. Our Employees feel valued, respected, connected, and tuned in. We have forward-thinking policies and strategies.
• Countless Career Paths.
• A Dynamic, client-focused office environment where service excellence and teamwork are our focus.