Director, Strategic Communications

UHN is Canada’s #1 hospital and the world’s #1 publicly funded hospital. With 10 sites and more than 44,000 TeamUHN members, UHN includes Toronto General Hospital, Toronto Western Hospital, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, The Michener Institute of Education and West Park Healthcare Centre. As Canada's top research hospital, the scope of biomedical research and complexity of cases at UHN have made it a national and international source for discovery, education and patient care. UHN has the largest hospital-based research program in Canada, with major research in neurosciences, cardiology, transplantation, oncology, surgical innovation, infectious diseases, genomic medicine and rehabilitation medicine. UHN is a research hospital affiliated with the University of Toronto.

UHN’s vision is to build A Healthier World and it is because of the talented and dedicated people who work here that we are continually bringing that vision to reality.

www.uhn.ca

Union: Non-Union

Number of vacancies: One

New or Replacement Position: Replacement

Site: Toronto General Hospital, 200 University Avenue

Department: Communications & Brand Strategy

Reports to: Vice President, Communications & Brand Strategy

Salary Range: $115,730 - $165,730 annually

Hours: 37.5 per week

Status: Permanent Full-Time

Closing Date: April 12, 2026

Position Summary

Reporting to the Vice President, Communications & Brand Strategy, the Director, Strategic Communications leads integrated strategies that support institutional priorities and enhance UHN’s reputation locally, nationally, and globally. Working across a complex academic health system, the Director oversees internal and external communications, leads a high-performing team, and provides strategic counsel to senior leadership. The role leverages modern, data-informed approaches and emerging technologies to elevate UHN’s leadership in healthcare, research, and innovation.

Duties

• Lead the development and execution of integrated communications strategies that advance organizational priorities across patient care, research, and education, strengthening reputation and stakeholder engagement.
• Provide strategic communications counsel to senior leadership, programs, and institutes, ensuring alignment with organizational goals, brand, and direction.
• Oversee internal and external communications programs that inform, engage, and align staff, clinicians, researchers, learners, and external stakeholders across a complex, multi-site environment.
• Drive internal communications and engagement strategies that support culture, transparency, change management, and organizational alignment.
• Lead proactive media relations, reputation management, and issues response, positioning the organization as a trusted voice in healthcare and innovation.
• Advance a modern, data-informed communications function by integrating digital strategy, analytics, audience insights, and emerging technologies, including AI-enabled tools.
• Identify and leverage opportunities to elevate organizational leadership and thought leadership at local, national, and global levels.
• Partner with internal and external stakeholders, including foundations, to align communications with strategic and philanthropic priorities.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing communications team, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Oversee planning, workflows, and resource allocation to ensure effective execution of strategic initiatives and operational excellence.

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, journalism, marketing, health policy, or a related field required; Master’s degree considered an asset.
• Minimum 15 years of progressive experience in strategic communications, public affairs, or media relations.
• Minimum 5 years of experience leading and coaching teams required.
• Demonstrated experience advising senior leadership and managing high-profile communications initiatives, with a track record of leading high-performing communications teams.
• Exceptional writing and storytelling skills, with the ability to translate complex subject matter for diverse audiences.
• Strong expertise in media relations, reputation management, and stakeholder engagement.
• Strategic thinker with sound judgment in complex, high-visibility environments and strong political acuity in navigating large organizations.
• Experience leveraging digital platforms, analytics, and emerging communications technologies to inform strategy and measure impact.
• Collaborative leader with the ability to build strong relationships across clinical, research, education, and administrative stakeholders.
• Strong understanding of change management and adult learning principles, with the ability to apply these to team development and capability building.

Why join UHN?

In addition to working alongside some of the most talented and inspiring healthcare professionals in the world, UHN offers a wide range of benefits, programs and perks. It is the comprehensiveness of these offerings that makes it a differentiating factor, allowing you to find value where it matters most to you, now and throughout your career at UHN.

• Competitive offer packages
• Government organization and a member of the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP https://hoopp.com/)
• Close access to Transit and UHN shuttle service
• A flexible work environment
• Opportunities for development and promotions within a large organization
• Additional perks (multiple corporate discounts including: travel, restaurants, parking, phone plans, auto insurance discounts, on-site gyms, etc.)

Current UHN employees must have successfully completed their probationary period, have a good employee record along with satisfactory attendance in accordance with UHN's attendance management program, to be eligible for consideration.

All applications must be submitted before the posting close date.

UHN uses email to communicate with selected candidates.  Please ensure you check your email regularly.

Please be advised that a Criminal Record Check may be required of the successful candidate. Should it be determined that any information provided by a candidate be misleading, inaccurate or incorrect, UHN reserves the right to discontinue with the consideration of their application.

UHN is an equal opportunity employer committed to an inclusive recruitment process and workplace. Requests for accommodation can be made at any stage of the recruitment process. Applicants need to make their requirements known.

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