Public Relations Lead

Earned media doesnt happen by accident. Its built through relationships credibility and knowing exactly when a story deserves to be told.

Smart Savvy Associates is pleased to partner with VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation in their search for a Public Relations Lead.

This is a newly created role within the Foundations Marketing & Brand Engagement team and an opportunity to establish and lead the Foundations public relations function. Reporting to the Director Marketing & Brand Engagement youll develop and execute the Foundations earned media strategy build relationships with journalists across British Columbia and Canada and help shape how one of the provinces most respected charitable organizations shows up in the public conversation.

As VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation continues building awareness of the VGH brand this role will play a key part in telling the stories behind groundbreaking research world-class patient care and healthcare innovation. Youll help elevate the Foundations profile support major fundraising initiatives and position senior leaders as trusted voices on issues that matter.

This role is ideal for a strategic communications and PR leader who enjoys building something new spotting opportunities others miss and turning meaningful stories into meaningful media coverage.

What Youll Do

Lead the Foundations public relations strategy

• Develop and execute a comprehensive public relations strategy that supports the Foundations brand fundraising and organizational priorities
• Identify proactive media opportunities that increase awareness of the Foundations work and impact
• Build annual PR plans aligned with key campaigns announcements and organizational milestones
• Measure and evaluate PR performance using insights to strengthen future initiatives

Build relationships and tell compelling stories

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with journalists producers influencers and media outlets across British Columbia and Canada
• Identify and pitch stories that showcase the Foundations impact donors researchers physicians and healthcare innovations
• Prepare media materials including press releases briefing notes backgrounders and key messaging
• Partner with internal teams to uncover stories that deserve greater public attention

Advise leaders and manage reputation

• Prepare executives physicians researchers and spokespeople for media interviews public appearances and announcements
• Provide strategic communications counsel to senior leadership
• Lead issues management and crisis communications planning
• Monitor emerging issues and provide recommendations that protect and strengthen the Foundations reputation

Collaborate across the Foundation

• Partner closely with colleagues across marketing brand digital content fundraising and executive leadership
• Work alongside the Foundations in-house creative team to ensure earned owned and paid communications work together to maximize impact
• Manage external agency and vendor relationships as needed
• Contribute to annual planning and organizational priorities

What You Bring

• 8-10 years of progressive experience in public relations media relations strategic communications or corporate communications
• Demonstrated success securing earned media coverage and building strong media relationships
• Experience developing proactive PR strategies that support organizational objectives
• Experience preparing senior leaders and subject matter experts for media opportunities
• Strong judgment and experience navigating sensitive issues and crisis communications
• Excellent relationship-building and stakeholder management skills
• A proactive entrepreneurial mindset and the confidence to build a function from the ground up

Nice to Have

• Experience working in healthcare nonprofit public sector or purpose-driven organizations
• Existing relationships with BC and national media
• Experience working with researchers physicians healthcare leaders or scientific subject matter experts

About VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation

VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation is the leading charity investing in healthcare innovation in British Columbia. Through the power of philanthropy the Foundation helps advance breakthrough research attract world-class talent and fund innovations that improve health care for people across the province.

Driven by bold thinking integrity and community the Foundation is expanding its reach through the VGH brand and building greater awareness of the critical role philanthropy plays in transforming healthcare. This is an exciting opportunity to help tell those stories and contribute to meaningful impact across BC.

The Details

$106100-$119300 base salary
Annual bonus target of 3%
100% employer-paid benefits
Pension plan after 3 months
4 weeks vacation
Hybrid work environment (50% in office)
Two remote-work periods per year of up to two weeks each
$1500 mental wellness benefit
Additional health spending account and wellness benefits
Vancouver BC

If youre excited by the opportunity to build a public relations function shape meaningful conversations and tell stories that inspire support for healthcare innovation wed love to hear from you.

Submit your application through Smart Savvy Associates job board. Every application is reviewed by a human thoughtfully and with care.

About Smart Savvy Associates

Smart Savvy Associates is a specialized recruitment agency focused on marketing communications creative and fundraising roles. Based in Vancouver BC we partner with companies and organizations across Western Canada to help them hire with clarity and confidence.

We believe diverse teams drive stronger results and are committed to equitable and inclusive recruitment practices. Candidates from underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply. If you require accommodation at any stage of the hiring process please let us know.