Jeff Meerman Email & Phone Number

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Thrilled to contribute meaningfully to health-care communications, I'm currently serving as the Director of Communications, Equity and Partnerships at Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH). Having embarked on this journey in 2020 as a consultant during the COVID-19 pandemic, I played a pivotal role in leading communications strategies, including the highly-effective vaccination campaign. This temporary position evolved into assuming various director-level leadership roles, and I am now honoured to serve in a permanent full-time capacity.Key Responsibilities:In my role, I provide organizational leadership on transformative communication initiatives aimed at driving change, delivering impact and improving health outcomes. Leading the development of communication strategies and brand initiatives linked to VCH's vision, purpose and values is at the core of my responsibilities. I offer guidance to cross-functional teams and consultants on both internal and external communication endeavors.Expertise:Building on a foundation established during the COVID-19 pandemic, I've cultivated and maintained strong relationships with key internal and external stakeholders, including government agencies and health authorities. My comprehensive knowledge of communication and marketing strategies, coupled with an understanding of the complex multi-union health-care environment, enables me to identify, develop and implement policies and initiatives aligning with VCH's overarching vision.

Greater Vancouver Metropolitan Area

Surrey, B.C.

In this leadership role managing a team of five, I supported Fraser Health's mission to improve the health of families living in the largest and fastest-growing region in B.C. This role led the development and planning of stakeholder relations, media relations, communications strategies and tactics that supported health authority programs and initiatives.

Vancouver

In this role, I worked to raise positive awareness of the organization through the development of strategic communications planning, proactive media relations, issues management, stakeholder relations and community relations. I provided guidance and expert counsel to executives on the Regional Operating Committee, managed public relations campaigns, supported sponsorships and prepared spokespeople for media and speaking opportunities. This position was directly accountable to a management team and oversaw a regional budget.Major accomplishments:- Oversaw the development and implementation of an integrated communications strategy to put a "local face” on the bank which has significantly increased brand awareness, share of voice and media impressions in the market. This included increasing the profile of senior regional executives in both B.C. and Alberta.- Aligning with business objectives, developed and implemented a strategic communications and media plan to increase the bank's regional profile with diverse audience segments including Chinese and South Asian, Indigenous and the 2SLGBTQ+ community, to support customer acquisition.- Oversaw the development of a regional social media engagement strategy for employees, and promoted the use of social media channels among all staff.- Developed a method for analyzing communications metrics and packaged that information into reports for the senior leadership team.

Vancouver

Managed communications planning and media relations for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games and led the external communications team that leveraged Bell’s national partnership with the Vancouver 2010 Games. Managed partnerships including those with other Olympic sponsors, VANOC, broadcasters and Bell brand ambassadors.Major accomplishments:- Developed and executed publicity strategies that supported Bell’s positive reputation and strong brand in Western Canada, particularly in the areas of marketing, sponsorship and community relations.- Led a team, collaborated on communications strategies and managed issues for Bell's $200 million sponsorship of the Games, securing well over 60 million media impressions for the company during that period.- Played a lead role in numerous national announcements and launches, including the Torch Relay, multi-million-dollar broadcast partnerships, new product announcements, athlete appearances and website launches.*Note: this was a contract position from July 2009 - July 2010.

Calgary

Managed external communications and media relations for Bell's entry into Western Canada (Bell West). I was responsible for developing key messages, fact sheets, news releases, backgrounders and special reports. I also served as media spokesperson for the organization.

Calgary

Provided internal and external communications advice and support to two portfolios (public health and wellness), managed media inquiries and organized news conferences. My primary responsibility was to promote the region’s health initiatives. I prepared key messages, regular reports and newsletters to promote public health and social marketing campaigns. Communications lead on regional reports such as the annual "Health of the Region" report and the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness guide.

Calgary

Responsible for internal and external communications for Canada's largest science-based organization. Notably worked on the crisis communications team during two high-profile animal health situations including the first BSE investigation in Canada and the avian influenza outbreak in B.C. and developed and executed a communications plan for the CFIA’s role in the G8 Summit in Kananaskis. I was responsible for creating and maintaining two regional newsletters and developing regular internal communications and marketing collateral for the organization.*Awarded the Head of the Public Service Award in 2003 for excellence in communications service delivery during Canada's BSE crisis.

Bachelor'S Degree, Journalism And Political Science

Canadian Securities Course