Senior Communications Advisor

City Of Edmonton; Edmonton; On-site; CAD 87,000 - 123,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Edmonton is seeking a Senior Communications Advisor to lead a team responsible for strategic communications. The ideal candidate will possess extensive public relations experience, with proven abilities in team management and strategic planning. This role contributes significantly to the city's initiatives, requiring dedication to the values of diversity and inclusion.

Qualifications

• Minimum of four years in public relations or communication with supervisory experience.
• Experience in developing and implementing marketing plans required.
• Certification in IABC or CPRS is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Develop and supervise a high-performing communications team.
• Design and implement strategic communication plans.
• Manage media relations and promote community engagement initiatives.

Skills

Communication

Public Relations

Team Building

Media Relations

Strategic Planning

Education

University degree in communications or related field

Diploma in communications or related field

Tools

Google platform

Adobe suite

Job description

Are you a seasoned, innovative and dedicated communications leader ready to inspire and guide a high-performing team?

The Community Services department - a front-line partner with residents and communities committed to creating a safe, healthy and vibrant city - is seeking an experienced Senior Communications Advisor. As a supervisor, you will be instrumental in nurturing a high-performing team with a strong culture. As a seasoned communications and marketing professional, you will lead and mentor your team to design and deliver strategic communications and marketing plans that make a difference. Rooted in evidence and insights, and with a commitment to continuous improvement, you will work with your team to deliver strategies that achieve measurable results. As a trusted advisor, you will provide advice to leaders to build, nurture and protect the City’s reputation, and to enhance our relationships with key community partners.

What will you do?

• Develop, supervise and motivate a team of high-performing communications professionals to produce excellent work for the department and for Edmontonians
• Support your team members in creating, refining and implementing strategic communications and marketing plans for portfolios, programs and services
• Champion integration of communications and engagement plans and services within Community Services and across City departments
• Identify emerging issues and provide strategic consultation and issues management advice to senior managers
• Ensure communications and marketing strategies are informed by market research, public opinion research, public engagement insights, and industry best practices
• Measure and evaluate the effectiveness of communications and marketing strategies
• Ensure corporate and department processes are communicated to the team and followed
• Assist with or lead the hiring and management of external contractors and consultants for public communications, marketing, and engagement activities.
• Collaborate with internal Communications and Engagement partners (digital services, media relations, creative services, corporate research, and brand teams) to ensure high-quality work aligns with City standards and industry best practices
• Oversee portfolio media relations, including proactive pitching, media monitoring, managing inquiries, coaching spokespeople, media events, and fostering strong media relationships
• Liaise with public engagement teams to support the design and implementation of engagement initiatives (e.g., working groups, open houses, public meetings, surveys, and online tools)
• Thrive in a fast-paced environment with tight deadlines and quick turnarounds

Qualifications

• University graduation in a communications, public relations or related field, supplemented by a minimum of four (4) years progressively responsible experience in a designated public relations, public affairs or public information position with at least two (2) years' communications experience in a similar organization, and one (1) year of experience in a related supervisory capacity

-or-

• Diploma in a communications, public relations or related field, supplemented by a minimum of six (6) years progressively responsible experience in a designated public relations, public affairs or public information position with at least two (2) years' communications experience in a similar organization and one (1) year of experience in a related supervisory capacity

Assets:

• Accreditation in the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) or Canadian Public Relations Society (CPRS)
• Previous or current Incident Command System certification is an asset
• Knowledge of City Plan

Skills Required for success:

• Extensive knowledge of the requirements of mass communication media, internal and external communications planning, and public relations principles and practices
• Demonstrated experience in a supervisory role supplemented by demonstrated collaborative and team-building skills
• Experience in successfully creating, developing, implementing, and evaluating communication and marketing plans
• Extensive traditional media relations understanding and experience
• Digital and social media understanding and experience
• Superior issues identification and management skills
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with multiple projects and competing deadlines
• Experience and proficiency with contemporary computer technologies (e.g. Google platform, Adobe suite, etc.)
• Alignment to our Cultural Commitments and Leadership Competencies (https://bit.ly/4brRrXm)
• Embracing a culture of equity, diversity, reconciliation and inclusion

Conditions of Employment:

• Applicants may be tested

The City of Edmonton is committed to inclusive, respectful and equitable workplaces that represent the communities we serve. We continuously improve our systems, policies and practices to remove barriers and ensure our employees, in all their diversity, can succeed. We value applicants with a diverse range of skills, experiences and competencies, and encourage you to apply. To learn more, see the Art of Inclusion: Our Diversity and Inclusion Framework here:https://bit.ly/3hd2d95.

The City of Edmonton strives to provide reasonable access and accommodations throughout the application and selection process. If you would like to request an accommodation at any stage of the process, please contact [e-mail].

1 permanent full-time position available

Hours of Work: 33.75 hours per week or 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday. This position requires the successful candidate to be available for on-call work, outside of regular work hours, from time to time.

Hours of work may be subject to the terms and conditions of a variable hours of work program. The weekly hours of work for this position are currently under review and may change at a future time. Any changes will be made in accordance with the City of Edmonton/Civic Service Union 52 collective agreement and the incumbent will be notified in advance.

Salary:

• 33.75 hours: $49.525 - $62.240 (Hourly); $87,250.67 - $109,651.32 (Annually)
• 40 hours: $46.801 - $58.817 (Hourly); $97,720.490 - $122,809.900 (Annually)

Salary ranges are in the process of being updated in accordance with the recently ratified collective agreement between the City and CSU 52 and will be forthcoming shortly.

Talent Acquisition Consultant: AG/VH

Edmonton rests in the heart of Treaty Six territory in Alberta and the homelands of the Metis Nation.

IND 123

Classification Title: Public Information Officer III
Posting Date: Jun 19, 2025
Closing Date: July 3, 2025 11:59:00 PM (MDT)
Number of Openings (up to): 1 - Permanent Full-time
Union: CSU 52
Department: Community Services
Work Location(s): 11th Floor Edmonton Tower, 10111 104 Avenue Edmonton T5J 0J4