Director, Media Relations & Social Media

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Director, Media Relations & Social Media

🔹 Company: Ontario Medical Association

🔹 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

🔹 Job Type: Full-time

🔹 Category: Non-profit Organization Management

🔹 Date Posted: August 7, 2025

🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years

🔹 Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Leading a team to develop and execute media relations strategies
• Managing external vendors and media relationships
• Overseeing crisis communications activities
• Monitoring health care and political issues in media
• Developing and implementing social media strategies

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic and hands-on leader with a strong background in media relations and social media management. The ideal candidate will have experience leading teams, managing crises, and working with external vendors.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Lead all media activities, including developing strategies, overseeing implementation, and evaluating effectiveness

✅ Manage external vendors and media relationships

✅ Oversee crisis communications activities

✅ Monitor health care and political issues in media

✅ Develop and implement social media strategies

✅ Lead and coach direct reports to effectively position the OMA as the voice of Ontario’s Doctors

✅ Hire, train, motivate, and coach employees to provide attentive service to members

✅ Collaborate with peers and ACM colleagues to develop integrated media relations strategies

ASSUMPTION: This role involves a mix of strategic planning, hands-on execution, and team leadership. The ideal candidate will have experience in all these areas and be comfortable working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Undergraduate degree in journalism, political science, public policy, communications, or marketing

Experience: 10+ years of media and/or media relations experience

Required Skills:

• Proven leadership and team management skills
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Strong crisis communication and issue management skills
• Ability to develop and implement social media strategies
• Experience with media research practices
• Familiarity with health care and political issues

Preferred Skills:

• Bilingual (English/French) skills
• Experience with media monitoring tools
• Knowledge of the Ontario health care system

ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will have a strong background in media relations, social media management, and team leadership. Experience in the health care industry or with health care-related issues is a plus.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $120,000 - $160,000 CAD per year (based on industry standards for a Director of Communications role in Toronto)

Benefits:

• Competitive salary and bonus program
• Exceptional group benefits package, including a spending account and a robust wellness program
• Paid professional development and continuous in-house learning
• Hybrid work environment

Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours per week)

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for similar roles in Toronto. The actual salary may vary based on the candidate's experience and qualifications.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: The Ontario Medical Association (OMA) is a non-profit organization representing over 40,000 physicians and medical students across the province. It works closely with patients to encourage healthy living practices and illness prevention, and plays a significant role in shaping health-care policy and initiatives.

Company Size: Medium (201-500 employees)

Founded: 1880

Company Description:

• Represents the political, clinical, and economic interests of Ontario's medical profession
• Founded in 1880 as a voluntary association of the province's physicians
• Plays a vital role in the development and promotion of health-care services across Ontario

Company Specialties:

• Health policy
• Practice management
• Legal Services
• Strategy and Governance
• Economics
• Research
• Analytics
• Information Management
• Insurance
• Hospital Services
• Laboratory Proficiency Testing
• Medical Services
• Physician Health
• Public Affairs
• and Communications

Company Website: www.oma.org

ASSUMPTION: The OMA is a well-established organization with a broad range of specialties, reflecting its comprehensive role in the health care industry.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: Senior-level, strategic role with significant team leadership responsibilities

Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the Vice President, Communications and Public Affairs

Work Arrangement: Hybrid (minimum number of days in the Toronto office required)

Growth Opportunities:

• Potential to grow within the Communications department or the organization
• Opportunity to shape the strategic direction of the OMA, its members, and the health-care system
• Chance to develop and mentor team members

ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth potential for the right candidate, both in terms of career advancement and team development.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid (combination of on-site and remote work)

Office Location(s): 150 Bloor Street West, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3C1, CA

Geographic Context:

• Toronto is the capital city of Ontario and the largest city in Canada
• It is a multicultural city with a diverse range of neighborhoods
• Toronto has a robust public transportation system, including subways, buses, and streetcars

Work Schedule: Full-time (40 hours per week), with a flexible hybrid arrangement

ASSUMPTION: Toronto offers a vibrant, multicultural work environment with easy access to amenities and a well-connected public transportation system. The hybrid work arrangement provides flexibility for employees to balance their work and personal lives.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Online application submission
• Phone or video screening
• In-person or virtual interview with the hiring manager
• Final interview with the Vice President, Communications and Public Affairs
• Background check and reference check

Key Assessment Areas:

• Media relations and social media strategy development
• Crisis communication and issue management skills
• Leadership and team management abilities
• Understanding of health care and political issues
• Adaptability to a fast-paced, dynamic work environment

Application Tips:

• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant experience and skills
• Prepare examples of your media relations and social media strategies, as well as crisis communication plans
• Research the OMA and its role in the health care industry to demonstrate your understanding of the organization
• Prepare questions to ask the interviewer about the role, team, and organization

ATS Keywords: Media Relations, Social Media Strategy, Crisis Communication, Team Leadership, Health Care Issues, Political Issues, Media Monitoring, Strategic Planning

ASSUMPTION: The application process for this role is likely to be competitive, so it's essential to tailor your application materials and prepare thoroughly for interviews to stand out from other candidates.

🛠 Tools & Technologies

• Media monitoring tools (e.g., Mention, Brand24)
• Social media management platforms (e.g., Hootsuite, Buffer)
• Crisis communication software (e.g., Agility PR)
• Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello)
• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

ASSUMPTION: Familiarity with relevant media monitoring, social media management, and crisis communication tools is essential for this role. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite is also expected.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Respectful: Treats all individuals with dignity and respect
• Bold: Takes initiative and drives change
• Responsive: Actively listens and addresses concerns
• Transparent: Communicates openly and honestly

Work Style:

• Collaborative: Works well with others and values team input
• Adaptable: Embraces change and adjusts to new situations
• Results-driven: Focuses on achieving outcomes and delivering results

Self-Assessment Questions:

• How do you align with the OMA's values, particularly 'bold' and 'transparent'?
• How do you handle working in a hybrid environment, balancing on-site and remote work?
• How do you approach leading and developing a team in a dynamic, fast-paced work environment?

ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will demonstrate a strong fit with the OMA's values and work style, as well as a willingness to adapt to a hybrid work environment and lead a team in a dynamic setting.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Managing multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment
• Balancing on-site and remote work in a hybrid arrangement
• Adapting to changes in media landscape and health care policies
• Managing a team with diverse skills and experience levels

ASSUMPTION: These challenges require strong time management, adaptability, and leadership skills. The ideal candidate will be comfortable working in a fast-paced environment and managing multiple priorities.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• This role is similar to a Director of Communications or Public Relations role, but with a specific focus on media relations and social media
• It is unique in its requirement for experience in health care and political issues
• Career progression may involve moving into a Vice President or Chief Communications Officer role

ASSUMPTION: While this role shares similarities with other communications roles, its focus on health care and political issues sets it apart. Career progression may involve moving into more senior leadership roles within the communications field.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing and executing a media relations strategy for a high-profile health care initiative
• Managing a crisis communication plan for a sensitive issue affecting the OMA's reputation
• Implementing a social media strategy to increase the OMA's online presence and engagement

ASSUMPTION: These projects demonstrate the strategic and hands-on nature of the role, requiring strong planning, execution, and evaluation skills.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• What are the most pressing media relations challenges facing the OMA currently?
• How does the OMA support the professional development of its communications team members?
• What is the team's dynamic, and how does the role fit into the broader communications strategy?
• How does the OMA balance its advocacy role with its responsibility to maintain neutrality in political matters?
• What are the key priorities for this role in the first 90 days?

ASSUMPTION: Asking these questions demonstrates your interest in the role's specific challenges, the team's dynamics, and the organization's broader communications strategy. It also shows your understanding of the OMA's unique position in the health care industry.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through the following link: https://ontariomedicalassociation.applytojob.com/apply/9J6DEKcFhv/Director-Media-Relations-Social-Media
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills, particularly in media relations, social media strategy, and crisis communication
• Prepare examples of your media relations and social media strategies, as well as crisis communication plans
• Research the OMA and its role in the health care industry to demonstrate your understanding of the organization
• Prepare questions to ask the interviewer about the role, team, and organization
• Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application, if you haven't heard back

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.