Director, Communications - BULK

Socket.dev; Edmonton; On-site; CAD 134,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

The Alberta Public Service in Edmonton is seeking a Director, Communications to lead strategic communications for the Executive Council. This permanent, full-time role focuses on advancing ministry priorities, coordinating across government, and guiding senior leaders on communications decisions.

You will develop strategies, manage media relations and public engagement, and lead a high-performing team within the Communications and Public Engagement division. A security clearance is required.

Qualifications

• University degree required with seven years of progressively responsible management experience.
• Experience leading strategic communications in a multi-stakeholder government setting.
• Ability to develop and implement long- and short-term communications strategies.

Responsibilities

• Develop and evaluate short and long-term communications strategies aligned with ministry priorities.
• Provide strategic communications advice to Ministers, Deputy Ministers and senior leaders.
• Support policy and program development through communications planning.
• Lead communications for high-profile, complex issues.
• Build relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Support media relations, issues management and public engagement strategies.
• Collaborate across government for coordinated approaches.
• Lead and coach high-performing communications teams.
• Oversee branch operations including workforce planning and budget management.
• Contribute to ministry executive leadership with communications guidance.

Skills

Creative problem solving

Drive for results

Build collaborative environments

Develop networks

Systems thinking

Education

University degree in communications/public relations/journalism/English

Job description

Job Information

Job Title: Director, Communications

Job Requisition ID:87911

Ministry:Executive Council

Location:Edmonton

Full or Part-Time:Full Time

Hours of Work: 36.25 hours per week

Permanent/Temporary: Permanent

Scope:Open Competition

Closing Date: October 1, 2026

Classification:Senior Manager Zone 2

Salary: $5,139.30 – $6, 526.16 bi-weekly ($134,135.73 - $170, 332.78.95/year)

The Alberta Public Service works to build a stronger province for current and future generations. We make a difference in the lives of Albertans through rewarding and diverse career opportunities.

Executive Council works to ensure effective strategic planning and coordinated policy development and communications across government, engages Albertans and the broader global community, and promotes a vibrant and innovative public service.

In addition to policy, protocol and Cabinet functions, Executive Council includes Communications and Public Engagement (CPE). CPE is the Government of Alberta's full-service communications, public relations and marketing division. Its mandate is to enhance communications between Albertans and the Government of Alberta.

CPE’s expert staff provide specialized services across the spectrum of communications including writing, social media, media relations, event coordination, issues management, crisis communications, digital communications, advertising, marketing, graphic design, public engagement and translation services.

The department staffs the communications branches in all ministries of government along with a central operations department. For information about CPE, visit our website at https://www.alberta.ca/cpe.

Role Responsibilities

Bring your strategic communications expertise and leadership strengths to a dynamic and high-impact role. As part of the Alberta Public Service, this opportunity offers a unique balance of autonomy and collaboration. You'll benefit from the support of a cross-government communications community while contributing to initiatives that shape public understanding and engagement across Alberta. As the Director, Communications, you will play a pivotal role in advancing ministry priorities through strategic, proactive and responsive communications. Working closely with the Deputy Minister's Office, Minister's Office, senior ministry leadership, colleagues across government and the broader Communications and Public Engagement community, you will lead communications strategies that support government objectives and enhance public awareness and understanding of programs, policies and services.

In this role, you will:

• Develop, implement and evaluate short and long-term communications strategies that support ministry priorities.
• Provide strategic communications advice to Ministers, Deputy Ministers and senior executive leaders.
• Support policy and program development through communications planning and consultation.
• Lead communications for high-profile, complex and emerging issues.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Support media relations, issues management and public engagement strategies.
• Collaborate with communications leaders across government to ensure coordinated and effective communications approaches.
• Lead, coach and developing high-performing communications teams.
• Oversee branch operations, including workforce planning, budget management, performance management and employee development.
• Contribute as a member of ministry executive leadership teams to provide communications advice to inform strategic planning and organizational decision-making.

The Job Description is provided for further details on this position.

APS Competencies

Competencies are behaviors that are essential to reach our goals in serving Albertans. We encourage you to have an in depth understanding of the competencies that are required for this opportunity and to be prepared to demonstrate them during the recruitment process.

• Creative Problem Solving - Asks questions to get a deeper understanding of the present issue.
• Drive for Results - Clarifies objectives and taps into a variety of available resources within the organization; ensuring that roles and contributions are clear. Sets performance standards and monitoring processes to ensure deviations from the plan are identified at an early stage.
• Build Collaborative Environments - Engages others to think broadly about impacts of projects, brings differing perspectives together and encourages debate. Works with others to identify and remove barriers.
• Develop Networks - Understands that stakeholder relationships are key to securing the success of initiatives. Seeks to understand the perspectives and needs of colleagues, clients and stakeholders.
• Systems Thinking - Considers the inter-relationships among different aspects of an approach including how they relate to other programs or areas. Considers emerging trends when contributing ideas to the development of broader priorities, strategies and approaches.

Qualifications

University graduation in a related field, such as communications, public relations, journalism, English, supplemented by seven years progressively responsible management experience.

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• Extensive experience leading strategic communications in a complex, multi-stakeholder environment.
• Demonstrated experience developing and implementing long- and short-term communications strategies that align with organizational priorities and respond to emerging issues.
• Strong experience in stakeholder engagement and relationship-building, with the ability to collaborate effectively across government, with external partners, and with the public.
• Leadership experience managing high-performing teams, including overseeing recruitment, training, performance management, staff development, and budget administration.

Equivalencies to be considered as below:

• 1 year of education for 1 year of experience; Or
• 1 year of experience for 1 year of education.

Assets:

• Political acuity and sound judgment.
• Government or public sector experience.
• Media relations and issues management experience.
• Experience supporting executive leadership and decision-making processes.
• Experience developing systems, processes and tools within large organizations.

Minimum recruitment standards outline the minimum education and experience required for appointment to a job classification.

Notes

Hours of work are 36.25 hours per week.

This position is based in Edmonton, Alberta and requires regular in-office attendance in accordance with operational requirements. Occasional travel within the province and work outside traditional government office hours are required.

This competition is being used to establish a talent pool for future Director, Communications opportunities across the Government of Alberta. Candidates may be considered for vacancies in various ministries at the same classification level as opportunities arise.

Final candidates will be required to undergo a security screening.

Final candidates will be required to undergo a criminal records check (CRC).

Applicants being considered for this position will be required to complete a Level 2 Enhanced Security screening (including an enhanced criminal record check along with a credit check) as part of the pre-employment checks for this position.

Any costs associated with obtaining the required documents/checks as noted or interview travel expenses will be the responsibility of the candidate. Out-of-province applicants can obtain the required documents/checks from the province they currently reside in.

Links and information on what we have to offer:

• Working for the Alberta Public Service
• Management Employee Pension Plan (MEPP)
• Alberta Public Service Benefit Information
• Professional learning and development
• Research Alberta Public Service Careers tool
• Positive workplace culture and work-life balance