Location: Toronto, ON Canada
Type: Permanent
Group/Grade: Bargaining Unit/Officer
Grade Rate: $115,232.38 (start)
Date: June 17, 2026
The Ontario Nurses’ Association (ONA) is Canada’s largest nurses’ union. We are powered by our members — 68,000 nurses and health-care professionals, and 18,000 nursing student affiliates — who provide care in hospitals, long-term care, public health, the community, clinics and industry.
Our mission is to defend the rights of and advocate for nurses and health-care professionals who care for the health of Ontarians. We empower members and fight against unfair and unsafe treatment, negotiate and enforce our contracts, offer benefits and insurance, provide tailored education and development opportunities and much more. We confront governments, administrations and other policymakers head on to fight for high-quality public health care.
ONA is seeking to fill two (2) vacancies on our Communications Team at our Toronto office. This posting is for exisitng vacancies. The Communications Officer(s) will bring strong experience and expertise in all aspects of union communications. The Communications Officer is a generalist role that will be assigned to lead specific projects, while supporting the work of the team with a broad skillset and flexible approach. The successful candidate will join a dynamic group of professionals and work closely with leadership and other staff teams to support the activities of the union.
This is what else you may expect from this role:
- Develop detailed communications plans for events and initiatives.
- Coordinate/project manage all aspects of communications plan implementation working with internal teams, external groups, vendors and communications staff.
- Research and write a wide range of communications pieces which may include scripts, newsletters, articles, media releases, speeches, backgrounders, brochures, emails and other materials for internal and external audiences.
- Produce designs for a wide range of print and digital materials, such as share graphics, signs, pamphlets, infographics, documents and more.
- Develop strategic public relations messaging for campaigns and other initiatives.
- Develop and provide comprehensive communications for provincial and local bargaining campaigns.
- Work with the media relations lead to produce deliverables and generate coverage.
- Plan, coordinate and execute communications events, such as media conferences.
- Provide training in media relations to the Board and Local leaders as needed.
- Monitor the main organizational email and intake email inboxes; respond to and direct a wide range of inquiries according to established procedures.
- Review and edit a wide range of organizational materials and provide expertise and training on ONA’s Communications Style Guide and brand guidelines.
- Develop and plan internal communications, as needed.
- Develop and provide training on a wide range of communications topics, including providing support for ONA Local leaders regarding social media, email and websites.
- Plan, write and deploy email and mobile messaging programs.
- Provide/coordinate photography and videography and produce video content.
- Work with the social media lead to manage accounts and develop content.
- Work with the website lead to produce content and updates.
- Work with the editor to write and contribute to ONA’s digital magazine, F-Word.
- Track, analyze, and report on key metrics, identifying trends and improvements.
- Monitor audience sentiment and assist in managing emerging issues.
- Develop digital petitions, actions and forms.
- Coordinate with allied organizations on joint initiatives.
- Coordinate with a wide variety of vendors and agencies.
- Ensure accuracy and attention to detail across all deliverables.
- Ensure deliverables reflect best practice standards, Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and Canadian Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL).
What we are looking for:
- A bachelor’s degree or advanced diploma in communications or journalism.
- Five years of professional full-time experience leading communications initiatives, particularly:
- Project management
- Media relations/journalism
- Public relations
- Expert writer and editor.
- Experience planning and executing issues-based campaigns communications.
- Experience with unions, health care, and political environments.
- Experience with graphic design and Adobe Creative Suite.
- Familiarity with Action Network is considered an asset.
- Ability to work effectively in high-pressure environments on strict deadlines.
- Ability to manage multiple competing priorities.
- Highly adaptable and works well independently and with cross-functional teams.
- Excellent communications skills including proactive engagement and collaboration.
- Ability to work in French is considered an asset.
Note: There may be a need for flexible scheduling for evening/weekend work.
The successful candidate must be able to travel, possess a valid driver’s license and have access to an automobile for business use. Ability to travel across Ontario, is also expected, as could other areas outside of Ontario.
All interested candidates may apply via ONA Jobs by 4:30 p.m. on July 1, 2026
The Ontario Nurses’ Association is committed to employment equity within its staff. Applications are encouraged from equity-deserving groups including individuals of Indigenous descent, Racialized individuals, individuals living with disabilities, and 2SLGBTQI persons. We also provide accessible employment practices that are in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (‘AODA’). If you require accommodation for a disability during any stage of the recruitment process, please notify Human Resources at [email protected] (mailto:
[email protected])
.
Thank you for your interest in joining us. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
