Communications Coordinator, Rainbow Health Ontario

Internal/External Posting

Job Title: Communications Coordinator, Rainbow Health Ontario

Job ID #: RHO CC 25-0227

Department: Rainbow Health Ontario

Reports to: Director, Rainbow Health

Salary Range: (CS4) $33.25 – $41.25 per hour

Status: Full Time, Permanent

Hours: 37.5 hours per week

Vacancy: 1

Who We Are:

Sherbourne is a leading provider of quality health care and transformative support to people who face social, economic, and other systemic barriers. Our mission is to be a dynamic provider of integrated health services, community programs and capacity-building initiatives that enable people and diverse communities to achieve wellness.

Sherbourne provides innovative health care and social services to the diverse urban population of southeast Toronto. While our doors are open to everyone, we focus on people experiencing homelessness or who are under-housed; 2SLGBTQ+, and newcomers to Canada. We are funded by the Ministry of Health, Ontario Health, Ministry of Community, Children and Social Services, the City of Toronto and many generous donors and foundations.

About the Role:

Rainbow Health Ontario (RHO) is an award-winning, province-wide program of Sherbourne Health. RHO creates opportunities for the health care system to better serve 2SLGBTQ+ communities. We achieve this through four main approaches: providing education and consultation, supporting practice and organizational change, influencing public policy, and catalyzing research.

The Communications Coordinator, Rainbow Health Ontario reports to the RHO’s Director and is responsible for all communications activities for the program. The Communications Coordinator develops and implements communications plans, campaigns, and activities in accordance with Sherbourne Health’s communications policies and standards. The role ensures RHO communicates to the public about relevant issues and builds RHO’s profile.

The Communications Coordinator develops copy for all communications vehicles including media releases, publications, websites, social media, and advertising and promotional materials.

The Communications Coordinator plays a fundamental role – along with the Program Coordinator and the Director – in organizing knowledge transfer events such as the RHO Conference.

Working at Sherbourne

At Sherbourne Health, we care about our staff and recognize that our biggest strength is our people. We have a solid commitment to life-long learning which is demonstrated through our professional development program. We invest in collective work and staff training to improve client care. We supplement this by creating a low-barrier work environment built on equity and respect, while working together in caring, cohesive teams and providing opportunities for advancement.

We Believe in Work-Life Balance and Offer:

• A competitive salary.
• Membership in Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP).
• Up to four weeks of vacation per year (to start).
• Up to four personal days per year.
• An extended healthcare and dental package.
• Long-term disability insurance.
• Life insurance.
• An employee assistance plan.
• A generous professional development plan: up to $1,300 to be used towards learning activities.
• Up to six fully paid professional development days per year – related to position/responsibilities.

Responsibilities and Tasks:

Day-to-Day Responsibilities:

• Coordinates all RHO’s communications needs including communicating to internal and external stakeholders.
• Manages, develops, and stewards the brand and visual identity of RHO through all communications vehicles, collaterals and marketing materials.
• Plans and develops story ideas, writes copy, and manages design for publications, including RHO’s newsletter.
• Manages all media activities, including inbound and outbound media inquiries, media pitches, and monitoring/tracking; develops media releases/advisories and key messages and prepares staff ‘spokespeople’ for media appearances and interviews.
• Develops position statements on program and broader health issues and assists the Director with the development of speeches.
• Manages all social media activities and platforms for RHO’s accounts and builds online presence, monitors and posts multimedia content.
• Oversees RHO’s website management including structural changes, upgrades and maintenance to ensure ongoing functionality and accessibility; works with vendors where necessary to make coding changes and/or implement new features on the websites.
• Updates website content as required, ensuring that program information is current including approving Service Provider Directory entries, and the Research and Resource listings in consultation with RHO’s Director.
• Writes, edits and creates presentations, meeting and event collateral materials including program copy, messaging, signage, promotional materials and speaking notes.
• Develops briefing notes and key messaging to educate and advise the RHO Director on various 2SLGBTQ+ matters.
• Works in partnership with stakeholders to create and develop communications strategies and tactics.
• Arranges translation of RHO materials as required.

Conference and Other Events:

• Develops and implements a robust and innovative marketing strategy for RHO’s conference.
• Coordinates the development of all conference materials including the conference program, theme, streams, call for submissions, registration, and sponsorship prospectus.
• Keynote and plenary speakers: provides recommendations to RHO’s Director, participates in vetting process, and secures speakers.

Team Collaboration:

• Participates in regular meetings with RHO’s team to identify communications priorities that enhance collaboration, alignment, and program planning.
• Participates and engages in Sherbourne’s staff meetings.

Additional Duties:

• Participates in evaluation of learning initiatives.
• Maintains records and contributes to reports regarding the completion of planned activities, and expenditures.
• Participates in external committees as required.
• Completes other related duties as requested.
• Commitment to anti-racism and anti-oppression: Actively champions and participates in cross-agency initiatives that focus on diversity, equity and inclusion, and embed anti-discrimination principles in programming and communication strategies.

To Thrive in This Role, You’ll Need:

Education/Experience/Skills/Abilities:

• University degree in Communications, Marketing or equivalent work experience.
• Minimum 4 years of related experience in a health or social services related organization.
• Proven ability to develop and implement effective communications plans and tactics (including newsletters, speaking notes, media releases, presentations, online communications, etc.).
• Proven experience in web and digital media.
• Proven ability to interact with the media, including proactive story pitches and responding to unsolicited inquiries.
• Experience overseeing various social media accounts, including Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
• Proven experience advising senior leadership on emerging or contentious issues.
• Knowledge of strategic communication and stakeholder engagement processes.
• A level of understanding of web languages and functionality sufficient to work with and give feedback to web developers and designers.
• Ability to analyze and manage sensitive and complex communications issues, including confidential information.
• Ability to identify opportunities for digital growth and optimization.
• Ability to lead large-scale web and digital projects.
• Excellent writing, proofreading and editing skills with a demonstrated ability to write clear, engaging copy for a variety of communications materials, purposes and audiences.
• Ability to develop high quality communications materials with timely, relevant, accurate content – exhibiting attention to detail.
• Strong interpersonal skills to interact effectively with stakeholders at all levels.
• Demonstrates excellent problem-solving, decision making and critical thinking skills.
• Demonstrates excellent organizational and time-management skills with the ability to manage a variety of complex projects on tight deadlines.
• Demonstrates initiative and the ability to function independently, as well as within a team.
• Demonstrates commitment to fostering a healthy and positive work environment in accordance with Health & Safety policy and legislation.
• Engages in ethical conduct and strives to understand and appreciate the diversity of our patient/staff population and community.
• Demonstrated understanding of equity and inclusion, intersectionality, and the impact of racism, colonization, poverty and ableism in the 2SLGBTQ+ communities.
• Demonstrated knowledge of 2SLGBTQ+ communities and cultures.
• 2SLGBTQ+ lived experience will be considered a very strong asset.
• Photography, video editing/production and graphic design skills (Adobe Creative Suite) will be considered an asset.
• Ability to read and write French will be considered an asset.

Conditions of Employment:

• Offer of employment is contingent upon satisfactory outcome of background checks i.e., professional references, education verification, criminal background checks, and vulnerable sector checks.
• Understands and works within the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA), Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA), Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), the Ontario Human Rights Code, Ontario Health Protection and Promotion Act, and other relevant legislation, including, but not limited to, regulations for the safe preparation and quality of food.
• Demonstrates a commitment to a healthy and safe workplace for self and others (staff, patients, families, etc.) by taking all reasonable precautions and working in compliance with SHC related policies, health and safety legislation and best practices.

Working Conditions:

• This position requires working in a fast-paced environment meeting the needs of multiple stakeholders. Time management, multi-tasking, initiative, organization, and prioritizing are essential.
• Work is mainly done in an office environment. Rainbow Health Ontario’s head office is located at Sherbourne Health in downtown Toronto. The Communications Coordinator is required to work at our head office at least three days per week (Monday to Friday).
• Occasional work outside of normal working hours may be required.

To Apply: Please forward a cover letter and resume (saved as one document) quoting Job ID# RHO CC 2025-0227 to myjob@sherbourne.on.ca by 5:00 pm on March 31, 2025.

Sherbourne is dedicated to building an organization that reflects the diversity of our clients and the communities we serve. This includes diversity in languages spoken, culture, race, sexual orientation, and gender identity. Requests for accommodation due to disability can be made at any stage in the recruitment process.

We thank all applicants for their interest but only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.

BOLD. KIND. REAL. OPEN. WE CARE.