LAA-25-28 - Director, Communications & Public Relations - Edmonton

Legal Aid Alberta; Edmonton; Hybrid; CAD 119,000 - 159,000; Full time

Job summary

Legal Aid Alberta is seeking a Director, Communications & Public Relations to lead strategic communication efforts in Edmonton. The successful candidate will enhance the organization’s brand, oversee communication strategies, and drive initiatives impacting stakeholder engagement and public perception.

Benefits

Health and dental benefits

Health and wellness accounts

Employee assistance program

Hybrid work opportunities

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years’ experience in communications roles.
• Experience in an organization with a significant media presence preferred.
• Demonstrated project management experience.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement comprehensive communications strategies.
• Lead branding and media relations efforts.
• Manage crisis communication plans.

Skills

Communication Skills

Project Management

Strategic Thinking

Brand Management

Crisis Communication

Education

University degree in communication or related field

Job description

LAA-25-28 - Director, Communications & Public Relations - Edmonton

Edmonton, AB, Canada

Job Description

Posted Wednesday, June 11, 2025 at 8:00 AM

Legal Aid Alberta is seeking to fill a full time Director, Communications & Public Relations role in our Edmonton office.This position will appeal to an individual that likes to take initiative, is client focused and is exceptionally strong in delivering high-quality results.

Who We Are

As a publicly funded, non-profit organization, Legal Aid Alberta provides affordable legal services in family law,domestic violence, child welfare, immigration, and youth and adult criminal defense. We are Alberta-wide, with 300 staff and 1,200 private practice lawyers helping people overcome their legal challenges in more than 75 communities across the province.

Who You Are

Working at Legal Aid Alberta means you care about people and empathize with their situation. You have excellent communication skills especially in tough situations. You’re computer-savvy and more organized than anyone you know. Fast-paced work environments give you a rush and you’re always up for a challenge. You love learning new things, solving problems, and can adapt to change quickly. You care deeply about the success of our team and our organization.

Job Description

Reporting to the Vice President, People, Culture, & Communications, the Director, Communications & Public Relations plays a pivotal role in shaping and executing Legal Aid Alberta’s (LAA) comprehensive communication strategy. As a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, the Director provides strategic guidance and oversight to ensure LAA’s messaging aligns with its mission, values, and long-term objectives. This role is responsible for developing, integrating, and implementing a broad range of communication, media, and public relations initiatives that enhance LAA’s brand, reputation, and stakeholder engagement. The Director also provides executive communications counsel to senior leaders, advising on communication strategies that influence public perception, policy development, and stakeholder relations. Leading a high-performing team, the Director sets performance metrics, drives innovation in digital and traditional communication channels, and ensures all public-facing content reflects LAA’s commitment to access to justice and community service. The Director plays a vital role in advancing the organization’s mission, strengthening stakeholder trust, and ensuring Legal Aid Alberta remains a recognized and respected voice in the justice system, the province and the nation.

Strategic Communication Planning And Communication Counsel

• Develop strategic communications plans to advance LAA’s strategic objectives, improving understanding of the functioning and underlying principles of its programs and services. This would include:
• working with the executive and staff to actively identify and recognize internal and external communications issues, opportunities and solutions, and define and execute appropriate strategies to support the initiatives,
• develop and oversee the utilization of consistent key messages for both internal and external audiences, and
• integrating online and offline considerations into the strategic communications planning.
• Act as a strategic comms advisor for all enterprise initiatives.

Issues Management & Crisis Communications

• Provide strategic oversight for emerging issues affecting LAA’s reputation and operations.
• Develop proactive messaging strategies to ensure alignment with LAA’s mission and organizational priorities.
• Act as the primary advisor on communications strategies for executive leadership.
• Lead the development and execution of crisis communication plans to mitigate risks and ensure transparency.
• Implement rapid response protocols, ensuring timely and effective messaging during critical situations.

Brand Management

• Serve as LAA’s brand manager, with the responsibility of enhancing LAA’s reputation in the justice system and helping to maintain positive relationships with stakeholders.
• Develop and oversee the use of all printed and promotional materials, including signage, letterhead, business cards, and brochures, ensuring they are consistent across all departments and regions.
• Provides ongoing monitoring of brand health (reputation).
• Work to ensure messaging continuity for and within LAA’s business units by developing and enforcing communications policies and brand standards, and by identifying and initiating internal communications opportunities.

Communication Implementation

• Lead and execute the implementation of approved communications strategies and communications product development including
  • researching, interviewing, writing and/or editing compelling communications materials such as the annual report, internal announcements, stories, speaking notes, presentations, web content, news releases, backgrounders and various collateral materials,
  • overseeing the design and production of all LAA print communications, public relations and promotional materials including the annual report, and special publications
  • overseeing digital communications, including the content of LAA’s internal and external websites and social media, and, and
• Plan and organize LAA events and functions in partnership with business units as required.

Media and Social Media Relations

• Serve as a spokesperson and/or lead point person on media interactions that promote and/or impact LAA.
• Monitor and coordinate any media or social media response or presence that relates to, impacts or supports the work of LAA.
• Support and coach all staff members prior to any media interviews in which they participate.
• Develop and implement external relations and media strategy to build and amplify the LAA brand.

Stakeholder Relations/Partnerships

• Develop and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with key stakeholder communication groups and functions to ensure alignment and consistency in messaging.
• Act as a primary communications liaison between LAA and external partners, ensuring proactive engagement and strategic coordination on communication initiatives.
• Build and foster relationships with communication and change liaisons across LAA offices to support effective internal messaging and change management strategies.
• Facilitate cross-functional collaboration, ensuring alignment between internal teams, leadership, and external stakeholders on critical communications efforts.
• Working closely with Justice Services and Government Relations, establish and strengthen relationships with government, media outlets, roster lawyer groups, and justice system partners, ensuring LAA’s mission and impact are effectively communicated.
• Develop targeted public engagement campaigns to elevate awareness and deepen stakeholder trust in LAA’s initiatives.
• Drive collaborative efforts with government, partners and external organizations to amplify messaging and maximize communication impact.
  
  

Leadership and Team Development

• Provide strategic direction, mentorship and day-to-day support to the communications team, fostering collaboration and professional growth.
• Champion a culture of accountability, integrity and innovation, aligning team efforts with organizational values and purpose.
• Lead the development and execution of the team’s annual Objectives and Key Results (OKRs), ensuring alignment with organizational priorities and measurable impact.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

• A university degree in communication, journalism, of a related field.
• Minimum of 10 years’ related, progressively responsible experience
• Prior experience in a dynamic organization that had a significant media presence with multiple stakeholders is preferred.
• Project management experience and demonstrable evidence of successful project delivery.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Demonstrated experience in developing and executing comprehensive communications and public relations programs, products and activities with a strong focus on results and metrics that support strategic objectives.
• Exceptional writing, editing and presentation skills with very strong attention to detail and the ability to craft a message that resonates with its intended audience in a clear, compelling and persuasive manner
• Project management experience and demonstrable evidence of successful project delivery.
• Disciplined self-starter, able to work independently and as a member of a team, to concurrently manage and drive results on a variety of projects.
• Comfortable in taking a hands-on approach within the team and the ability to balance leadership skills with effective functioning in a team environment.
• Innovative thinker, with a track record for translating strategic thinking into action plans and output that leads to defined results.
• Energetic, flexible, collaborative and proactive; a team leader who can positively and productively impact both strategic and tactical initiatives.
• Ability to operate as an effective tactical and strategic thinker.
• Ability to make decisions in a challenging environment and anticipate future needs.
• Results driven, with excellent planning and organizing skills.
• Proven track record in the development and oversight of comprehensive communications strategies, strategic communications, branding, issue communication and message positioning.
• Exceptional written, oral, interpersonal and presentation skills and the ability to effectively work with executive, staff, and key external stakeholders, including roster lawyers and LAA’s Board of Directors.
• Extensive writing and editing experience with a variety of print and online mediums.
• An ability to communicate complex subjects clearly.
• Demonstrated skill and comfort in dealing with media and in successfully positioning subject matter with the media or through social media channels.
• Ability to deliver creative and innovative communications ideas and solutions.
• Skilled in leading and coaching teams, aligning OKRs with organizational goals and fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.

What We Offer

Perks of working with us

Salary Range: $119,215.00 - $158,050.00

• Health anddentalbenefits
• Health and wellness accounts
• Employee assistance program
• Hybrid work opportunities

How to Apply

If you got excited at the prospect of being a part of our team when you reviewed this posting and you meet the minimum qualifications, please select ‘Apply Now’ to create your candidate profile. A complete application must include both a cover letter and resume. This competition will remain open until a suitable candidate is found. Only those selectedfor an interview will be contacted.

Requirements

Successful candidate will be required to provide an acceptable criminal record check.