Media Relations Specialist

Company : IWK Health 

Req ID: 217984 
Department/Program: Communications, Engagement and Change 
Location: Halifax   
Type of Employment: Temporary Hourly FT long-assignment (100% FTE) until 04/30/2027  x 1 position(s)
 Start Date: ASAP
Union Status: Non-union, Management/Non Union Bargaining Unit
Compensation: $31.2455 - $39.0568 /hour
Closing Date: March 24, 2026 (Applications are accepted until 23:59 Atlantic Time)

IWK Health is a respected academic health sciences centre located in Halifax, Nova Scotia, providing tertiary and primary care for two million children, youth, adults and families each year across the Atlantic region. We have a team of approximately 4000 employees, physicians, volunteers and learners at sites across Nova Scotia. People build careers with IWK Health with our focus on training and mentorship opportunities. We recognize each other’s talent and celebrate our successes. We collaborate in modern facilities or virtually from home, align our work to our values, and enjoy access to enhanced benefits and wellness programs. We are proud to support our patients, families and communities and are grateful for the generous donor support we receive.

Promoting an anti-racist environment, and calling out discrimination as we work and provide care, is important to us. We are located in Mi’kma’ki, the unceded and ancestral territory of the Mi’kmaq people. Working in Mi’kma’ki and providing care to those across Atlantic Canada is a shared privilege with the original inhabitants who have lived here for many thousands of years prior to colonization. There are 13 First Nation communities across Nova Scotia, and more than 50 historic African Nova Scotian communities who also have a long, deep, and complex history dating back over 400 years. We have the highest percentage of people with disabilities in the country. Nova Scotia has the highest proportions of transgender and non-binary people than any other province or territory in the country. We are active in our work to eliminate discrimination, but have more work to do to build that trust, acknowledge our biases and reduce the barriers our diverse communities face. We want IWK Health to be a safe and supportive space of equity and belonging in the care we provide and the employment we offer. We welcome all interested persons who self-identify as Indigenous, Black/African Nova Scotians, Persons of Colour, Immigrants/Newcomers, Persons with Disabilities, 2SLGBTQIA+ to apply to support our goal for our workforce to be representative of the patients, families, and communities that we care for at all job levels.

The Opportunity

Working closely with leaders across the organization, as well as key external partnners, this role proactively supports the development and implementation of the department's communications strategy. The incumbent ensures timely and consistent messages that reflect the values and priorities of IWK Health while maintaining the organizations reputation and leadership position. 

Reporting to the Director, Communications, Engagement & Change, the Media Relations Specialist proactively identifies storytelling opportunities and responds to incoming media requests in a timely manner.  Confident working with departments and leaders across the organization, this role helps develop and execute successful media strategies- including those in relation to issues management. 

Major Responsibilities Include:

• Collaborates with leaders, physicians, staff, researchers and volunteers across IWK Health, to identify and respond to media relations opportunities in accordance with IWK's media relations policy. 
• Engages with colleagues and external partner organizations such as the IWK Foundation, Dalhousie University, Nova Scotia Health Authority and Department of Health and Wellness to promote information sharing and strong working relationships.
• Supports the development of key communications pieces and prepares written content such as fact sheets, briefing notes, and newsletter stories.
• Leads the development of media releases, public service announcements and media statements.
• Manages the media centre section of the IWK website.
• Proactively pitches stories and builds relationships with reporters and media outlets to enhance the IWK's repulation on an Atlantic and national scale.
• Carefully monitors local, national and social media to identify trends, stories or issues that could impact the IWK either positively or negatively.
• Responsible for daily media monitoring report and monthly media analysis report.
• Manages and tracks incoming media requests, flags sensitive issues, identifies appropriate spokespeople, and prepares them while working under tight deadlines.
• Supports media relations on-call functions and issues management responses.
• Delivers media training, provides coaching and counsel to spokespeople and leaders.
• Notifies relevant parties prior to media coming on site and escorts media to and from interviews

Hours of Work

Monday to Friday 75 hours bi-weekly.

Your Qualifications

• Post-secondary degree such as a Bachelor's degree in public relations, communications, or journalism required
• Minimum of three years of experience within a communication environment with a focus on media relations required
• Strong attention to detail and an ability to translate complex ideas into simple messages for a variety of audience solving skills, organizational skills, innovation and flexibility
• Experience in issues management and public affairs an asset
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Programs, and media monitoring tools is required
• Superior communication skills required, including verbal, written, listening, and presentation skills
• Knowledge and ability for electronic communications (social media)
• Knowledge of website platforms, and Content Management Systems (CMS)
• Competency in other languages an asset

Thank you for your interest in IWK Health.

Please note that we only contact applicants selected for interview/testing. If we invite you to participate in an assessment process (such as an interview or testing) you have the right to request accommodation. Please discuss your needs when invited to the assessment process.

This is a Management/Non Union  bargaining  unit position. Preference is given to bargaining unit employees for unionized positions. Successful applicants changing unions, bargaining units or employment status, are advised to seek clarification regarding their seniority, benefits, and vacation entitlement and/or usage, prior to accepting the position.

An  offer of employment is conditional upon the completion and satisfactory results of all applicable background checks and confirmation of credentials.

If you are an employee of IWK Health, please apply through the internal careers page to ensure you are flagged as an internal applicant.