Director, Communications (Advanced Education)

Role Responsibilities

Leverage your extensive communications expertise and leadership skills by joining a dynamic team in Communications and Public Engagement (CPE). This public service opportunity offers you the autonomy to make an impact while being part of a collaborative network of skilled communications professionals. You’ll benefit from a supportive cross-government team and have the chance to contribute to significant government initiatives.

As the Director of Communications, you will work closely with the Deputy Minister’s Office, the Minister’s Office, and senior staff across the ministry, as well as with CPE and colleagues throughout the government. Your role will involve coordinating and collaborating on all projects with external communications components, and you will be a vital member of the ministry’s executive committee. While you’ll engage closely with the Minister’s Office staff, you will also remain an integral part of the Alberta Public Service.

Utilizing your strong relationship-building and problem-solving abilities, you will navigate competing demands and serve as a key resource in addressing multiple priorities. Your responsibilities will include:
 

• Providing strategic, coordinated advice to the Minister, Deputy Minister, and executive team.
• Developing and implementing comprehensive short- and long-term communications strategies.
• Participating in policy and program planning.
• Identifying and managing sensitive media and communications issues impacting the ministry.
• Promoting public awareness of the ministry’s programs and policies.
• Cultivating relationships with a diverse range of internal and external stakeholders.

In addition to these duties, you will act as a professional coach and mentor for staff, overseeing administrative and human resource functions such as budgeting, performance management, training, and staff development. You will also support public engagement and public opinion initiatives, fostering a culture of growth and collaboration within your team.

Please click on this link to view the job description for 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.

This link will assist you with understanding competencies:
https://www.alberta.ca/system/files/custom_downloaded_images/psc-alberta-public-service-competency-model.pdf
 

• Agility
• Drive for Results
• Develop Self and Others
• Build Collaborative Environments
• Develop Networks
• Systems Thinking
• Creative Problem Solving

Qualifications

Requirements:
 

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

Equivalencies to be considered as below:
Directly related education or experience considered on the basis of: 
 

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

Assets:
 

• Master’s degree in communications, public relations, journalism, English, or a related field of study.
• Excellent political acumen.
• Experience with systems work including building processes and tools for use in large organizations.
• Management experience in coaching, developing, maintaining relations, leading, and motivating teams.

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

Refer to https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-minimum-recruitment-standards.

Notes

Hours of work are 36.25 hours per week.

The successful candidates will be evaluated on a combination of experience and education.

Please ensure your resume highlights how your previous work experience is related to the qualifications and requirements for this position.

Please clearly state the employment dates on your resume with the month and the year.

Final candidates for this position will be required to undergo pre-employment checks.

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 the GoA has to offer to prospective employees:
 

• Working for the Alberta Public Service - https://www.alberta.ca/about-the-alberta-public-service
• Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP) - https://www.pspp.ca
• Management Employees Pension Plan (MEPP) - https://www.mepp.ca
• Alberta Public Service Benefit Information - https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-benefits
• Professional learning and development - https://www.alberta.ca/professional-development-support-directive
• Research Alberta Public Service Careers tool – https://researchapscareers.alberta.ca
• Positive workplace culture and work-life balance
• Opportunity to participate in flexible work arrangements such as working from home up to two days per week and modified work schedule agreement
• Leadership and mentorship programs