Manager, Research Communications

at  Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital

The Bloorview Research Institutes’ vision is to be a global leader in transformative, equity-driven research dedicated to enabling personalized versions of a good life across the lifespan, for all individuals with childhood onset disabilities, acquired injuries and developmental differences, their families and communities. We are seeking a Manager, Research Communications to enable transformative impact of our discoveries into public discourse across settings, locally, nationally and internationally.
Reporting to the Director of Research Operations and Business Development, and working closely with the hospital’s Communication and Public Engagement team, the Manager, Research Communications will play a critical role in supporting BRI’s strategic priorities, advancing knowledge and awareness of childhood research in pediatric disability and developmental differences and building brand awareness for the research institute.
The ideal candidate will bring exceptional strategic communications experience, as well as superior stakeholder relationship-building skills. The candidate will have demonstrated experience in healthcare, research or academic communications, as well as experience working on cross-functional teams to achieve common goals. The candidate will work closely with scientists and research leaders to advance the research portfolio of Holland Bloorview and establish and sustain local, national and international networks related to childhood disability and developmental differences.
The ideal candidate will have demonstrated experience networking and mobilizing teams of experts, promoting research findings through a multitude of external channels, an ability to translate complex ideas in simple and understandable language as well as knowledge of the health, research and wellness landscapes.

KEY QUALIFICATIONS

• 7+ years specialized communications experience in research, academic or healthcare settings
• Degree, diploma or post graduate certificate in communications, public relations or a related field
• Demonstrated success developing multi-faceted organizational communications strategies end to end
• Ability to translate complex ideas into persuasive plain-language communications
• Excellent written and oral communications and editing skills, knowledge of CP style is an asset
• Exceptional relationship management, engagement and collaboration skills
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and juggle multiple projects under tight timelines
• Developed innovative and critical thinking skills
• Ability to work with a variety of internal and external stakeholders including media, researchers, volunteers, staff, clients and families and partners
• Demonstrated understanding of issues related to disability and social justice, and experience working with children and marginalized communities is an asset
• Experience working with content management systems (including MS SharePoint), social media and Adobe Creative Suite are considered an asset
• Advanced skill with Microsoft Office 365 suite

• Develop, manage and execute a multi faceted strategic communications plan to strengthen Holland Bloorview’s position as a global leader in childhood disability research and operationalize BRI’s priority of enabling transformation impact through knowledge mobilization and commercialization
• Build and sustain partnerships, networks and communities of practice locally, nationally and internationally with academia, government, community provides, marginalized communities, clinicians, families and children and youth to inform and promote clinical practice, policy development, advocacy and system change
• Develop and execute a pipeline of communication assets (including press releases, white/policy papers, position papers, external stories/campaigns, social media posts) to articulate critical research finding and communicate research impact
• Work collaboratively with BRI and hospital leadership, scientists, and communication colleagues to advise and develop communication priorities and plans across the research institute
• Provide ongoing strategic communications support to BRI scientists, labs, and the BRI Operations team
• Lead signature research events such as the annual BRI Research Symposium, BRI Research Rounds, and the Anne and David Ward Summer Student Research Day including event planning, logistics, promotion and communications
• Acquire and maintain sound knowledge and understanding of research projects, discoveries and impact within the BRI community
• Act as a key liaison with communication colleagues within academic faculties at the University of Toronto (U of T) and the Toronto Academic Health Sciences Network (TAHSN) to profile academic, clinical and scientific excellence within the U of T community
• Develop, lead and deliver presentations on various communication topics to BRI researchers, scientists, students and trainees
• Vet and provide guidance on communications collateral for research studies on various communication platforms