Senior Advisor, Media Relations

Are you looking to join one of Greater Toronto’s Top 2024 Employers?

The Ontario Medical Association (OMA) advocates for and supports doctors, seeking to strengthen their leadership role in caring for patients. We continually seek to be the trusted voice in transforming Ontario’s health-care system by courageously pursuing best practices, new ideas, solutions, and opportunities to improve.

Job summary

The Senior Advisor, Media Relations, is responsible for providing strategic media advice and supporting media relations on behalf of the OMA, which represents 43,000 physicians. That includes identifying potential media opportunities, preparing strategic communications plans and materials such as news releases, managing issues and maintaining and enhancing relationships with member, public, media and corporate audiences to support the broader goals and objectives of the OMA.

How you will make a difference

1. Delivering a consistently high standard of writing, materials that require little editing, are free of errors and are written in a journalistic style that will engage media;
2. Preparing communications plans, key messages, news releases, social media and other materials consistent with the OMA brand strategy and standards to support the OMA’s corporate priorities;
3. Developing issue management and crisis communications plans and strategies as required on OMA initiatives or outside actions that will generate public interest or controversy;
4. Preparing the OMA president/spokesperson for media interviews by developing key messages, monitoring media and social media activity and developing responses as required;
5. Providing media training and coaching;
6. Reporting on and analyzing media metrics to inform best practices;
7. Monitoring the media landscape to identify new opportunities or changing needs.

Requirements that are important to us

1. Undergraduate degree in journalism, political science, public policy, communications or marketing disciplines with above Diploma or Certificate.
2. 7-9 years experience working in or with the media is essential, either as a journalist or having a proven track record in media relations.
3. Experience writing news releases and other communications materials, including social media.
4. Must be proficient in CP style and able to self-edit.
5. Understanding of the current media landscape and the ability to recognize media opportunities.
6. Strong writing and storytelling skills are essential.
7. Experience in issues and crisis management.
8. Understanding of the political landscape of Ontario, experience working in health care preferred. Experience in a consumer-facing organization, political and/or highly regulated environment, public relations agency, or member association an asset, as is the ability to work in French.
9. Some evening and weekend work is required.

The OMA has moved to a permanent hybrid work environment. As such, the individual in this position will be required to work a minimum number of days in our Toronto office.

What do we have to offer you?

1. A work environment whose values are to be respectful, bold, responsive, and transparent in our work and our behaviours.
2. A fantastic opportunity to grow with the team and help shape the strategic direction of the OMA, its members and the health-care system.
3. An organization that is committed to the equity, diversity and inclusion principles of humility, accountability, collaboration, courage and integrity.
4. A commitment to growth and development through paid professional development and continuous in-house learning.
5. A friendly and flexible hybrid work environment.
6. Competitive salary and bonus program.
7. Exceptional group benefits package, including a spending account and a robust wellness program.
8. An organization that has been recognized as a Greater Toronto’s Top Employers for four consecutive years.

As a condition of employment, OMA conducts background checks and reference checks for all open positions.

The Ontario Medical Association is strongly committed to diversity within its community and welcomes applications from racialized persons/persons of colour, women, Indigenous People of North America, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ2S+ persons, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas. In accordance with the AODA Act, accommodation will be provided throughout the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities.