Communications Strategist to the President and CEO

NAIT; Edmonton; Remote; CAD 113,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading Alberta educational institution is seeking a Communications Strategist to develop and implement strategic communications for executive leadership. This role involves managing communications for the President, Board Chair, and the Office of the President, along with high-profile projects that influence internal culture and public perception. The ideal candidate has over 5 years of experience in communications and strong writing skills, alongside a deep understanding of digital and social media platforms. The role offers a salary of $112,153.60 annually with a comprehensive benefits package.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits package

Health and wellness benefits

Professional growth opportunities

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of progressive experience in communications or public relations.
• Proven ability to manage high-profile, high-stakes communications projects.
• Experience supporting senior leaders or boards in a complex organizational environment.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver strategic communications for executives and boards.
• Lead cross-functional communications projects and monitor emerging issues.
• Provide editorial oversight on messaging developed by other teams.

Skills

Outstanding writing and content development skills

Versatile in multiple media formats

Strategic and adaptable

Politically astute and discreet

Familiarity with AI tools and LLMs

Education

Bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism, or Public Relations

Master's degree or equivalencies

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Digital collaboration tools

Job description

Communications Strategist Overview

The Communications Strategist is a trusted advisor responsible for the development and implementation of strategic communications supporting NAIT’s President and CEO, the Board Chair, and the Office of the President. This role amplifies executive leadership, aligns messaging with The NAIT Effect and annual OKRs, and manages high-profile communications projects that influence internal culture and public perception.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver strategic communications for NAIT’s President, Board Chair, and Office of the President, including speeches, executive briefings, governance reports, and social media content.
• Lead the planning, writing, and execution of presidential and board-facing communications, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities such as The NAIT Effect and annual OKRs.
• Manage the production of high-profile messaging for internal and external audiences, including employees, learners, donors, government, and media.
• Coordinate governance communications, including the Consolidated Executive Management Committee report to the Board and other board-related materials.
• Provide editorial oversight and strategic counsel on executive messaging developed by other teams, ensuring consistency, tone, and readiness for senior audiences.
• Collaborate with Marketing & Communications, External Relations, and Strategy & Governance to ensure message integration across platforms and departments.
• Lead cross-functional communications projects, including institutional campaigns, executive visibility initiatives, and reputational risk responses.
• Monitor and respond to emerging issues, providing rapid communications support during high-stakes or time-sensitive scenarios—including evenings and weekends as needed.
• Maintain and evolve the President’s communications strategy and voice across all channels, including digital platforms and public-facing engagements.

Skills & Abilities

Outstanding writing and content development skills across speeches, social media, video, and digital platforms. Versatile in multiple media formats; able to produce executive and board communications in written, spoken, and visual forms. Strategic, adaptable, and responsive—able to manage urgent, high-stakes communications, including outside regular hours. Politically astute, discreet, and emotionally intelligent; skilled at synthesizing complex information for diverse audiences. Familiarity with the use of AI tools and large language models (LLMs) to enhance efficiency, accelerate content development, and support strategic decision-making in communications.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, or a related field is required. Master’s degree or equivalencies are considered an asset.
• Experience: Minimum 5 years of progressive experience in communications, public relations, or a related field, with a demonstrated track record of developing and delivering executive-level communications. Experience supporting senior leaders or boards, ideally in a public sector, post‑secondary, or complex organizational environment. Proven ability to manage high-profile, high-stakes communications projects and campaigns.
• Technical Skills: Advanced proficiency in written and digital communications, including speechwriting, social media, and video content development. Strong command of Microsoft Office Suite and digital collaboration tools; familiarity with digital publishing platforms, social media management tools, and multimedia production. Experience using AI tools and LLMs to enhance communications efficiency and effectiveness.
• Other Requirements: Exceptional interpersonal, political, and organizational acumen. Ability to work in a fast‑paced, dynamic environment, including occasional evenings and weekends. Applicants with education credentials earned outside of Canada should have their credentials evaluated by World Education Services or IQAS.

Remuneration

Amount: $112,153.60 annually plus a comprehensive benefits package.

About NAIT

NAIT is one of Alberta’s Top Employers for 14 consecutive years. Our culture reflects shared values of respect, collaboration, celebration, creativity, and accountability. We prioritize the employee experience, offering health and wellness benefits, work‑life balance, recognition, and professional growth opportunities. NAIT supports a flexible work environment and requires remote positions to be located within Canada. We foster equity, inclusion, and diversity through the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Strategy. Applicants requiring accommodations can contact [e-mail].