Manager, Ministerial Correspondence Unit (MCU)

Role Responsibilities

The Ministerial Correspondence Unit (MCU) supports the ongoing efforts of department staff to communicate with and respond to the public.

This position plays a critical role in supporting the Ministry’s mandate to provide accurate, consistent, high-quality information and correspondence to a wide range of internal and external stakeholders.

The Manager, Ministerial Correspondence Unit provides advice, builds, and enhances collaborative relationships with key department, cross-ministry, and other stakeholders to sustain and further enhance operational effectiveness.

In this role, you will oversee daily operations and support the development of MCU team members to strengthen quality control and build capacity in serving the Minister’s, Deputy Minister’s, and Assistant Deputy Ministers’ Offices. You will also demonstrate strong leadership by coaching and empowering staff to reach their full potential.

The main responsibilities of the Manager, Ministerial Correspondence Unit are (but not limited to):

• Ensuring the MCU operates effectively by establishing, communicating, and meeting clear timelines, processes, and performance standards.
• Building and maintaining effective working relationships with department staff and the Minister’s Office to ensure collaboration and coordination of responses.
• Managing and monitoring the flow of correspondence to ensure timely delivery, while adapting to shifting priorities and workloads to maintain effective service.
• Identifying and maintaining awareness of emerging trends and issues in relation to legislation and/or strategies to raise emerging issues and provide advice to senior management.

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: Quickly shifts between priorities as circumstances evolve and change deadlines.
• Drive for Results: Anticipates where additional supports for various divisions may be required based on emerging issues.
• Develop Self and Others: Develops staff and as a key resource for divisions, help build teamwork and encourage shared best practices.
• Build Collaborative Environments: The MCU manager builds relationships across the ministry to enable best practices and accurate messaging.
• Develop Networks: Relies on input from stakeholders within and across the ministry.

Qualifications

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.

Requirements:

• University degree in a related field such as Communication, Journalism, Public Relations, Political Science or Arts and Public Administration.
• Four (4) years of experience in correspondence management, writing, editing, and distributing written materials, with demonstrated knowledge of government communication protocols, style standards, and leadership practices.

OR

• Post-secondary diploma in a related field such as Communication, Journalism, Public Relations, Political Science or Arts and Public Administration.
• Six (6) years of experience in correspondence management, writing, editing, and distributing written materials, with demonstrated knowledge of government communication protocols, style standards, and leadership practices.

Equivalency: Directly related completed education or experience considered based on:

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

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Leadership, management, and supervisory experience including performance measurement and evaluation techniques.
• Advanced knowledge of ministry programs, policies, legislation, issues, and operational structure.
• Extensive understanding of political and policy decision making processes.
• Excellent communication skills, superior organizational skills, research and analytical skills, and tact and diplomacy.
• Advanced writing and editing skills.
• In-depth knowledge of proper English grammar, Canadian plain language, and Government of Alberta writing styles.
• Enhanced knowledge of the Action Request Tracking System (ARTS), AR processes, standards, guidelines, and templates.
• Extensive experience in negotiation, liaison, and conflict resolution skills.
• Advanced knowledge of past and current affairs and issues facing the department and government.
• Expert knowledge of department records management requirements for Action Requests.
• Advanced knowledge of communication theories, including writing, editing, and research methodologies.
• Superior knowledge of editorial practices including, semantics, syntax, discourse techniques, and developmental language.
• Extensive knowledge of communication theory and how language impacts messaging and tone.

Notes

Applicants are required to submit a cover letter as part of their application. The cover letter should clearly demonstrate how your experience, skills, and qualifications align with the responsibilities and requirements outlined in this job posting. Applications submitted without a cover letter will not be considered.

This position is located in Edmonton and works Monday to Friday from 8:15 AM to 4:30 PM (36.25 hours per week).

This competition may be used to fill future vacancies across the Government of Alberta, at the same or lower classification level.

Final candidates may be required to undergo a security screening.

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 have to offer to prospective employees.

• Working for the Alberta Public Service - https://www.alberta.ca/advantages-working-for-alberta-public-service.aspx.
• 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.