Manager, Corporate Communications

Explore Edmonton Corporation; Edmonton; On-site; CAD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible benefits

RRSP matching program

Educational assistance

Job summary

Explore Edmonton is seeking a Manager, Corporate Communications to lead the Communications & Connections function and support three portfolios: Attracted Events & Destination Stewardship; Owned Events & Venues; and Corporate & Employee Communications. The role balances strategic direction with hands‑on execution, shaping messaging for employees and external audiences.

You will mentor Advisors, develop key messages, manage media relations, and advise leaders on communications strategies during

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of corporate communications principles, practices and strategies.
• Expertise across planning, writing, media relations, speeches and employee communications.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication; adapt messaging for diverse audiences.
• Strategic thinking, judgement and problem solving to anticipate needs and risks.
• Leadership and coaching to develop communications professionals.
• Balance strategic oversight with hands-on execution.
• Strong project management, planning and organizational skills.
• Build trusted relationships with senior leaders and internal teams.
• Navigate sensitive, high-pressure situations with discretion.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach and mentor a team of Communications Advisors.
• Set clear expectations for roles, workflows, timelines and service levels.
• Review strategies to ensure audience-focused and aligned messaging.
• Build a collaborative, accountable team culture and improve processes.
• Lead corporate communications strategies and plans to support priorities and reputation.
• Provide strategic communications advice to senior leaders and internal teams.
• Develop and oversee key messages and talking points for priorities and events.
• Write, edit and oversee executive speeches and media materials.
• Provide media relations advice and prepare leaders for interviews.
• Oversee employee communications to keep staff informed and engaged.
• Partner with leaders on change management and timely communications.
• Develop employee-facing materials and FAQs.

Skills

Corporate communications

Strategic thinking

Writing & editing

Media relations

Employee communications

Leadership & coaching

Project management

Relationship building

Change management

Stakeholder management

Education

Diploma or undergrad in communications/public relations/marketing

Job description

Explore Edmonton connects experiences, events, venues, and stories to elevate Edmonton on the national and global stage while creating memories that matter for visitors and residents.

Our purpose is simple. We attract visitors by delivering and showcasing Edmonton experiences that contribute to prosperity and quality of life through the visitor economy.

Edmonton is a premier event-hosting destination, backed by a dedicated team with the expertise, relationships, and ambition to attract and deliver exceptional events that leave a lasting legacy for our city.

Our success is built with collaboration. Working alongside industry partners, sponsors, businesses, attractions, community organizations, and each other, we help make Edmonton a year-round destination.

At Explore Edmonton, our people make the difference. Guided by our values of public stewardship, taking a selfless approach, leading with purpose, making an impact, caring for one another, and upholding safety, we're building an organization where employees can do meaningful work while helping shape the future of our city.

If you are looking for a career where your work creates lasting impact for Edmonton and the people who experience it, we'd love to hear from you.

About Our Corporate Services Group

Corporate Services is made up of seven teams: Office of the CEO, Business Systems, Communications and Connections, Finance, Global Marketing, IT, and People and Culture. We are a group of service-minded people focused on building smart, customer-focused processes that work for every team across Explore Edmonton.

We provide the foundation for day-to-day business, including governance, advice and support, scalable solutions, Shareholder reporting, and creating value for employees by building connections throughout the organization and in our community.

We serve internal teams as trusted partners and business enablers, delivering great service through collaboration, innovation, and leadership. Our goal is to help every Explorer do their best work.

Communications & Connections

The Communications & Connections team manages and elevates Explore Edmonton's reputation, strengthens relationships, and creates advocates for Edmonton's visitor economy, both inside and outside the organization.

Inside the organization, we keep staff informed and connected. Beyond it, we tell Explore Edmonton's story on behalf of our board and senior leaders and engage the partners who shape Edmonton's visitor economy, including tourism operators, government, businesses, and the arts community. Bringing those partners together, strengthening relationships and sharing Edmonton's story helps build a connected network of advocates for the city. We also lead the planning and execution of corporate events that bring together visitor economy partners and advocates for networking, learning, relationship‑building and advocacy opportunities. Through our external relations, communications, and media relations work, we highlight Explore Edmonton’s role in advancing the visitor economy and demonstrate the value and impact it creates for Edmonton.

The Opportunity

Reporting to the Director, Communications & Connections, the Manager, Corporate Communications will lead Explore Edmonton’s corporate communications function and a team of Communications Advisors supporting three portfolios: Attracted Events & Destination Stewardship; Owned Events & Venues; and Corporate & Employee Communications. The role ensures Explore Edmonton communicates with clarity, consistency and purpose to employees and external audiences.

As a working leader, you will balance strategic direction with hands‑on expertise across a broad range of corporate communications activities, including communications planning, key message development, speechwriting, media relations, presentations, and executive and employee communications. You will partner with leaders across the organization to anticipate needs, identify opportunities and risks, and deliver integrated communications that advance organizational priorities.

As the successful candidate, you will:

• Lead, coach and mentor a team of Communications Advisors. You'll build their skills in strategic planning, writing and editing, media relations, speechwriting, key messages and executive communications, and their confidence to give trusted advice to leaders.
• Set clear expectations for roles, standards, workflows, timelines and service levels, and balance team capacity and competing priorities across portfolios.
• Review communications strategies, plans and materials to make sure they are strategically sound, audience‑focused and aligned with Explore Edmonton's voice and priorities.
• Build a collaborative, accountable team culture focused on knowledge‑sharing, and keep improving the team's processes, systems and tools.
• Lead corporate communications strategies and plans that support Explore Edmonton's priorities and reputation, and reflect its role, partnerships and contribution to Edmonton's visitor economy.
• Provide strategic communications advice to senior leaders and internal teams, identifying opportunities and risks and making timely recommendations.
• Develop and oversee key messages and talking points for organizational priorities, initiatives, events and announcements, and maintain the key message bank.
• Write, edit and oversee communications such as executive speeches and remarks, presentations, briefing materials, announcements, Q&A and media materials, ensuring they're clear, accessible, consistent and aligned with Explore Edmonton's corporate voice.
• Provide media relations advice and prepare leaders and subject matter experts for interviews, public appearances and stakeholder engagements. Support the Director with issues and crisis communications.
• Step into complex or high‑priority assignments as a senior, hands‑on communications resource.
• Oversee employee communications that keep employees informed, connected and engaged. Help them understand Explore Edmonton's direction, what's changing, why it matters and what it means for them.
• Partner with leaders, People & Culture and internal teams on timely, transparent communications that support change management. Advise leaders who are communicating significant changes, decisions or sensitive issues.
• Develop employee‑facing materials, including leadership messages, announcements, presentations, FAQs and talking points.
• Monitor employee feedback and communication needs, and recommend ways to strengthen two‑way communication, internal channels and connection across the organization.
• Lead integrated communications planning across the three portfolios. Work with leaders and internal partners, including Marketing, Events, Destination Development, Government Relations and People & Culture, to align messaging, timing, audiences and channels across internal and external communications.
• Keep track of organizational priorities, initiatives, events and emerging issues so you can anticipate communications needs and avoid gaps, duplication or conflicting messages.
• Set up processes, tools and standards for prioritizing requests and coordinating resources, so work across the function is consistent, efficient and accountable.
• Find opportunities to proactively tell Explore Edmonton's story and strengthen its reputation.
• Evaluate communications activities and outcomes and use what you learn to improve future planning.

What you bring:

• Diploma or undergraduate degree in communications, public relations, marketing or related field
• At least 5 years of related experience
• Strong knowledge of corporate communications principles, practices and strategies, with the ability to translate organizational priorities into clear, compelling and audience‑focused communications.
• Demonstrated expertise across a broad range of communications disciplines, including strategic communications planning, writing and editing, media relations, executive communications, speechwriting, key message development and employee communications.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to adapt complex information and messaging for a variety of audiences, channels and levels of the organization.
• Strong strategic thinking, judgement and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to anticipate communications needs, identify risks and opportunities, and provide sound recommendations to leaders.
• Highly developed leadership and coaching skills, with the ability to develop the capabilities, confidence and performance of communications professionals.
• Ability to balance strategic oversight with hands‑on execution, including stepping into complex or high‑priority communications assignments when required.
• Strong project management, planning and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines and stakeholders in a fast‑paced environment.
• Ability to build trusted relationships and work collaboratively with senior leaders, internal teams, partners and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to navigate sensitive, complex or high‑pressure situations with discretion, professionalism and sound judgement.
• Strong understanding of change management and employee engagement principles and their role in supporting organizational change.

Why Join Explore Edmonton

At Explore Edmonton, our work helps create exceptional experiences for visitors while enriching the quality of life for residents and contributing to the city’s economic prosperity. Guided by our values and driven by collaboration, every role plays a part in shaping Edmonton’s visitor economy.

We also provide:

• Flexible benefits including health, dental, vision care
• Health Care Spending Account
• Mental Health-On-Demand with access to certified experts for $100/session
• EDI Flex Days to celebrate what is important to you outside of standard statutory holidays
• National Day for Truth and Reconciliation as a statutory holiday
• RRSP matching program
• Recognition and annual salary review programs
• Educational assistance for employees who wish to pursue job-performance enhancing education
• Employee perks and discounts, including (but not limited to) discounted City of Edmonton transit passes, preferred rates at City of Edmonton recreation centres and gyms, discounted tickets for select events, Perkopolis, and more.

Working at Explore Edmonton

We offer a flexible and collaborative work environment where you’ll have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on Edmonton and its visitor economy. This role includes a mix of office, event, and partner‑facing work, with occasional evening and weekend hours and national and international travel.

Explore Edmonton encourages, supports, and celebrates a diverse and inclusive work environment. We strive to create a workplace that reflects the city we promote and where our employees feel safe and supported every day.