Senior Public Affairs Advisor

Position:

Senior Public Affairs Advisor

Department:

Communications and Public Affairs

Position Status:

Permanent Full Time

Union:

NON-UNION

Number of Positions:

1

Location:

Hybrid

Language:

English

What We Offer
We're committed to supporting our people with meaningful rewards and experiences, which may include:
• A competitive total rewards package aligned with the position
• Pension plan with employer contributions for eligible roles
• Health, wellness, and lifestyle perks, including fitness memberships and travel savings
• On site gym 24/7 free to all employees
• Ongoing learning and development opportunities to support your growth

The PRHC Difference:

Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) is a regional hospital delivering acute healthcare to a rapidly growing population of more than 300,000 in Peterborough and the surrounding communities, including the First Nations of Curve Lake, Hiawatha and Alderville.

With an annual budget of nearly $390 million, and a proud local history extending back over a century, PRHC has nearly 500 inpatient beds and offers a wide range of services, including specialized programs in renal, stroke, cardiac, cancer care, vascular surgery and mental health & addictions.

PRHC is located in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada a 90-minute drive north-east of Toronto. We are the region's largest employer with more than 3,100 staff, 450 physicians with privileges, and a core group of 250 volunteers

As a member of the PRHC team, you will be part of an exceptional working environment - a forum to share knowledge, to lead and learn, to develop talents, relationships and careers, and a culture that recognizes and celebrates the efforts and achievements of its people.

PRHC is proud to be recognized as one of the top 20 employers nationwide in the healthcare and social services category, and 199 overall among 300 Canadian employers across all sectors, on the Canada's Best Employers list released by Forbes in 2025.

WHAT YOU'LL DO:

This role is responsible for supporting the Director of Communications and Public Affairs in executing strategies that enhance PRHC's visibility, reputation, and relationships with key external stakeholders. This role plays a critical function in advancing the hospital's mission by strengthening engagement with government, public servants, elected officials, and community partners, and by supporting engagement efforts related to healthcare priorities, funding, and system transformation.

Working collaboratively with senior leaders this position will contribute to the planning and execution of external relations initiatives, support government and community engagement activities, and ensure consistent, strategic messaging aligned with organizational priorities.

WHAT YOU'LL BRING:
• University degree in Public Relations, Communications, Political Science, Public Administration, Health Administration, or a related field.
• A combination of education and relevant experience may be considered.
• Minimum 7 years of progressive experience in external relations, government relations, public affairs, communications, or stakeholder engagement, preferably in healthcare, the public sector, or a complex organization or 7 years experience working within a Premier's Office, Minister's Office, central agency, or comparable senior government environment, or in a role requiring regular, direct engagement with these offices.

WHO YOU ARE:
• Demonstrated understanding of government decision-making processes, political dynamics, stakeholder management, and the expectations of senior public office holders.
• Ability to anticipate information needs, timelines, and sensitivities inherent in government environments and translate complex organizational issues into concise, decision-ready materials.
• Strong understanding of government structures, public-sector decision-making, and healthcare systems.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to develop complex information into clear, persuasive materials.
• Strong strategic thinking and analytical skills, with the ability to interpret policy developments and synthesize complex information.
• Highly organized with strong attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Proven ability to build and maintain trusted relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Sound judgment, discretion, and professionalism when handling sensitive or confidential information.
• Collaborative, adaptable, and solutions-oriented, with a strong sense of accountability.
• Proactive, solution-oriented, and skilled at balancing strategic priorities with operational execution.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and related collaboration tools.

OUR COMMITMENT:

At PRHC, we take great pride in maintaining an inclusive culture of respect and a diverse workforce that reflects the community we serve. We do this because we understand that bringing different perspectives and backgrounds to the fulfillment of our mission, vision and values makes us better.

We invite all interested individuals to apply and encourage applications from members of all equity-deserving communities, including those who identify as Indigenous, black, racialized, women, people with disabilities and people with diverse gender identities, expressions, and sexual orientations. Even if your past experience doesn't quite align with every qualification on this position, we still encourage you to apply as you may be the right candidate for another role within our organization.

Peterborough Regional Health Centre is committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive and accessible environment that is in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act ('AODA'). Should you require accommodation through the recruitment and selection process, please notify us by indicating this on your application form and upon initial contact by our recruitment team. This will ensure that we can tailor the recruitment process to meet your accommodation needs.

Thank you for your interest in the opportunity at PRHC. If you are selected to move forward in the recruitment process, you will be contacted by a member of the Talent Acquisition team.