Manager, Community and Partner Relations

Position Title: Manager, Internal Communications

Job Posting Deadline for Internal Candidates: July 22, 2026

Employment Status: Permanent Full-Time

Position Status: This is a Non-Bargaining Unit position

Vacancy Status: This posting is for an existing vacancy

Hours of Work: Monday - Friday, 35 hours per week with limited evening and weekend requirements

Salary Range: $90,000 -$100,000 commensurate on skills and experience and plus Group Benefits & HOOPP

Position Reports to: Interim Associate Vice President, Development, Communications and Fundraising

Primary work location: Oshawa with flexibility to work at other DCHC sites as required.

Organization

Who We Are: Durham Community Health Centre (DCHC) is a registered charitable organization that provides integrated, accessible, and equitable community-based primary care, wellness services, and health education for Durham community members facing barriers to health and well-being.

Who We Serve: DCHC offers equity-focused programs and services for priority populations, including Indigenous peoples, Black communities, 2SLGBTQI+ community members, newcomers to Canada, seniors, and clients without a family doctor. This approach helps community members access both preventive care and care when they are ill.

How We Work: Our interprofessional team includes physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, counsellors, dietitians, outreach workers, medical secretaries, and administrative staff. Together, we place each client at the centre of care and respond to their needs through integrated clinical care, wellness supports, and health education.

Why Join Now: This is an exciting time to join DCHC as we advance an energizing path toward greater impact in local health care. Guided by our Strategic Plan, Theory of Change, brand, client stories, and resources, we are diversifying, expanding, and strengthening how we serve the community.

Position Overview

The Manager, Community and Partner Relations is a newly created leadership role that advances DCHC’s five-year Strategic Plan by leading community engagement, stakeholder relations, and strategic partnerships that strengthen DCHC’s reputation, expand its impact, and support improved health outcomes across Durham Region.
The role focuses on:

• Developing and executing an integrated strategy for community relations, public affairs, stakeholder engagement, and partnerships.
• Building trust and meaningful relationships with community leaders, residents, health system partners, elected officials, government funders, and local organizations.
• Ensuring outreach and engagement activities align with organizational priorities, access-to-care initiatives, and long-term community health outcomes.

As a visible ambassador for DCHC, the Manager promotes the organization’s mission, services, and impact while fostering partnerships that advance access, equity, innovation, and system integration across the region.

Key Responsibilities:
Lead an integrated external communications and community engagement plan that advances the following priorities:

Community Engagement & Relationship Building

• Develop and implement a comprehensive community engagement strategy that increases awareness of DCHC, its services, and its impact.
• Build and maintain relationships with elected officials, civic and community organizations, business leaders, healthcare providers, and other key stakeholders.
• Identify community needs, priorities, and engagement opportunities that inform responsive outreach, access-to-care initiatives, and population health planning.
• Represent DCHC at community meetings, public forums, conferences, events, and partnership initiatives.

Public Affairs Strategy

• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with local, regional, provincial, and federal government representatives, public health agencies, healthcare system partners, community organizations, and business leaders.
• Monitor government policy developments, healthcare trends, funding opportunities, and community issues that may affect organizational priorities and operations.
• Support senior leadership engagement with key partners through strategic planning, relationship management, briefing materials, presentations, and speaking notes.
• Ensure community outreach and engagement activities align with organizational priorities, strategic objectives, and brand positioning.

Strategic Partnerships & Programs

• Support a partnership strategy that strengthens relationships with community organizations, health system partners, academic institutions, and other strategic collaborators.
• Coordinate and support community health initiatives, educational programs, and outreach activities delivered through in-person, virtual, and digital channels.
• Develop business cases and partnership opportunities for sponsorships, collaborative initiatives, and programs that enhance community impact, organizational visibility, and fundraising potential.
• Identify and pursue opportunities to strengthen DCHC’s profile, reputation, and influence, including strategic media and public awareness initiatives.
• Support philanthropic and fundraising initiatives focused on expanding programs and services to meet evolving community needs.

Knowledge Mobilization

• Support community health education initiatives through accessible, evidence-informed programming delivered across multiple channels and platforms.
• Collaborate with clinicians, clinical leaders, and subject matter experts to develop and implement an annual community education calendar aligned with identified health priorities.
• Expand the reach and impact of educational programming through a coordinated digital engagement and knowledge-sharing strategy.

Measuring and Monitoring Impact

• Support the development and implementation of evidence-based key performance indicators (KPIs) that measure the effectiveness of community engagement, partnership development, and stakeholder relations activities.
• Monitor and evaluate partnership outcomes, community participation, stakeholder engagement, and reputation metrics.
• Prepare regular reports, dashboards, briefing notes, and presentations for senior leadership and the Board of Directors to demonstrate progress and impact.

Team Management and Mentorship

The Manager, Community and Partner Relations leads and mentors a small team responsible for implementing the annual community engagement and stakeholder relations plan. This role works closely with the Manager, Internal Communications and leaders across the organization to align communications, engagement, and organizational priorities.

Core Competencies, Knowledge and Skills

• Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to tailor messages for diverse audiences and channels.
• Strong editing, proofreading, storytelling, and content development skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and achieve results in a dynamic environment.
• Results-oriented, self-directed, and adaptable, with the ability to lead effectively in a dynamic and evolving environment.

Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree in Public or Business Administration, Communications, Public Relations, Public Health, or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 5–7 years of progressively responsible experience in communications, public affairs, stakeholder engagement, government relations, community relations, or partnership development, preferably in a healthcare or broader public-sector environment.
• Demonstrated experience in community engagement, government relations, media relations, and strategic external communications.
• Proven success developing and implementing integrated strategic communications and stakeholder engagement plans that support organizational objectives.
• Demonstrated ability to translate complex healthcare, policy, and organizational information into clear, accessible, and compelling communications.
• Experience supporting executive leaders with speeches, presentations, key messages, and stakeholder engagement activities.
• Knowledge of brand management principles and experience ensuring adherence to brand standards and organizational messaging.
• Inclusive leadership style with the ability to build trust, influence, and collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders, partners, and team members.
• Demonstrated commitment to advancing equity, community impact, and DCHC’s mission through values-based leadership and relationship-centred practice.
• Knowledge of the Ontario healthcare system, community health services, and relevant government structures is considered an asset.

What We Offer

• A supportive, mentorship-focused learning environment.
• Meaningful, hands-on experience aligned with academic learning objectives.
• Exposure to community-based healthcare, non-profit governance, and public-sector communications.

Full vaccination against COVID-19 is mandatory for this position. DCHC will adhere to its duty to accommodate individuals who are unable to be fully vaccinated for a reason protected under human rights legislation.

DCHC encourages applications from individuals who reflect the diversity of the communities served, including Indigenous peoples, racialized persons, persons with disabilities, members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, and other equity-deserving groups.

Application Process:

1. We thank all applicants for their interest. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Applicant submissions will be kept on file for six months for future consideration.
2. Applicants are encouraged to provide a valid email address for communication purposes. Written correspondence about this job posting may be sent directly to the email address provided on the resume. Applicants are responsible for checking their email regularly.
3. All external hires must successfully complete pre-employment requirements, including reference checks and criminal background checks, including Vulnerable Sector Screening.
4. Please note that AI technology supports the application screening process. All final hiring decisions are made by our recruitment team.

Durham Community Health Centre (DCHC) is committed to creating an inclusive environment that welcomes and celebrates diversity so all employees have the opportunity to thrive. DCHC will comply with all applicable standards under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA), the Ontario Human Rights Code, and any other applicable legislation. If you have accessibility needs and require alternate formats or other accommodations, please contact our Talent and Culture team at 905-723-0036 or by email at recruiting@durhamchc.ca.