Role Responsibilities

Are you a strategic communicator passionate about public service and program impact? Join our Operational Awareness team, where your expertise will help shape and deliver effective communications across a broad range of programs that support Albertans — including Apprenticeship and Industry Training (AIT), Foundational Learning and Skills Development (FLSD), and Community Adult Learning Programs (CALP).

Our team plays a key role in developing and implementing operational communications and marketing strategies that support program delivery, key stakeholder engagement, and public awareness. We collaborate across the division and department to ensure alignment, consistency, and innovation in how we communicate government programs and services.

Reporting to the Manager, the Senior Information Strategist leads the design and delivery of complex, high-impact operational communications and marketing strategies in support of new and existing programs. This role represents the division in cross-ministry initiatives, integrates strategic insights into project work, and aligns efforts with departmental priorities — all within existing legislation, policies, and frameworks.

Key Responsibilities:

• Strategic Communications Planning: Develop communications strategies and tools to support program delivery and stakeholder engagement.
• Advisory Services: Provide expert guidance and writing expertise on communications materials, including briefing notes and internal products, often under tight deadlines.
• Website development: Create digital content for platforms such as Tradesecrets.alberta.ca, including web writing and digital design, in alignment with established standards and guidelines.
• Issue & Risk Management: Anticipate risks, resolve complex communication challenges, and advise senior leadership.
• Innovation and Opportunity Identification: Assess and pursue new opportunities to advance communications, marketing, and awareness objectives.
• Stakeholder Collaboration: Lead and support communications for program and service (re)design, working closely with internal and external partners.
• Project Management & Coaching: Maintain communication plans, reports, and presentations, while coaching staff on effective communication practices, planning and execution.
• Operations & Administration: Oversee daily communication activities, including workflow coordination and reporting.
• Executive Support: Prepare briefings, key messages, and recommendations for senior leadership to ensure strategic alignment.
• Cross-Functional Representation: Contribute to committees and meetings, offering strategic input on behalf of the Apprenticeship Education and Pathways and Operational Awareness.

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.

• Systems Thinking - Considers the high level impact of strategies and changes on the work of clients, stakeholders, and team members and support organization vision and goals through strategic planning of tasks and considering relationships between different work approaches and their impact on different programs, divisions and ministries.
  
  
• Creative Problem Solving - Facilitates the creation of a work environment for generating and finding newer ideas to solve existing and potential problems. 
  
  
• Agility - Possesses an ability to create an adaptable environment and overcome barriers through proactive and flexible approach to work.
  
  
• Develop Networks - Develops and sustains a network of relationships across the division and with other GOA ministries on issues and work with other branches to develop effective communication channels to enhance and maximize the effectiveness of interactions.
  
  
• Building Collaborative Work Environments - Leads cross functional collaboration and initiate strategic communication systems to anticipate and address potential conflict and builds and atmosphere of genuine trust and teamwork.

Qualifications

University graduation (Applied Communications, Communication Studies etc.) in a related field plus 4 years progressively responsible related experience; or equivalent as described below.

Equivalency: 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: 

• Knowledge of Government and department strategic and policy directions as they relate to the division programs and services (e.g., AIT, FLSD, CALP).
• Experience with communications, professional and web writing, and marketing.
• Project management knowledge and skills, along with experience leading projects with multiple stakeholders.
• Experience with user experience design, web writing and content strategy.
• Knowledge of and ability to apply change management principles and approaches to projects.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills to effectively build relationships, consult and work with program areas on a variety of projects, and to provide advice to business units on program development and implementation.

Assets (Continued)

• Well-developed critical thinking and analytical skills to actively assess challenges, opportunities, impacts, and risks presented in projects.
• Ability to create diverse documents, tools, and presentations to suit diverse audiences.
• Organization and prioritization skills to balance multiple ongoing projects at one time.
• Agility to adapt quickly to changing direction and priorities across multiple subject matters simultaneously.
• Ability to maintain resiliency and momentum when leading projects with significant ambiguity.
• Ability to work independently as well as part of a team, making appropriate decisions and taking action where required.

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

This is one (1) permanent, full-time position working 36.25 hours per week, Monday to Friday.

This position is based in Edmonton. We require you to attach a cover letter and resume with your application explaining your qualification and suitability for this role.

The final candidate for this position will be asked to undergo pre-employment checks (including a criminal record check). Links and information on what the GoA have to offer to prospective employees. Final candidates will be required to undergo a security screening as well as writing tests.

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/advantages-working-for-alberta-public-service.aspx
• Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP) - https://www.pspp.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