Role Responsibilities

The Senior Client Relations Specialist, Student Services plays a critical role in achieving the business requirements for Alberta Student Aid (ASA) to deliver communication and operational policy services to multiple clients, partners and stakeholders. 

You will have specific and a combination of roles that support post-secondary coaching, ensuring compliance with legislation by external clients, communication and public relations. You will support in dissemination of information, providing education and problem resolution, and creating additional sources of information to support Provincial Government staff, Federal Government, Albertans, post-secondary schools, students and programs.

The position is responsible for leading and coordinating major projects and is responsible for facilitating communication among key stakeholders. The position requires the skills to consult, influence and persuade to bring opinions together for consensus when consulting with clients, the public and Communication and Public Engagement on contentious issues.

This role manages the operations of External Communications and Relations for Alberta Student Aid and is the lead liaison for post-secondary schools in Alberta, Canada and other countries where Alberta students attend studies.

The work of this position has a direct impact on the implementation of the Student Aid Communications Strategy, which includes communication and consultation to students (high school and post-secondary), clients (student loan borrowers), stakeholders, post-secondary schools, and staff. This results in Albertans receiving the right student aid information at the right time through a variety of online platforms and being able to use that information to communicate about student funding programs and operations.

Key responsibilities include:
 

• Works on a variety of briefing notes and information documents pertaining to high profile issues relating to student and post secondary schools.
• Lead the planning and development of all emergency response for students and post secondary schools ( i.e. wildfires, floods, school strikes, etc,,).
• Lead the planning and development of Communication Strategy initiatives and associated projects focused on client communications, and public awareness, ensuring projects are aligned with Ministry and Government direction.
• Project management and planning - develop project plans, lead projects, monitor the progress, develop gap analysis, and present to senior leadership.
• Manage processes to test usability and client satisfaction that will inform on-going innovation and approval of Student Aid system projects.
• Provides advice to the Manager, Directors and Executive Director of Alberta Student Aid and consults and collaborates with colleagues and stakeholders to address any current and evolving needs of post secondary schools and students.
   

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
 

• Build Collaborative Environments -  Ability to ensure that collaborative environments and partnerships are continually developed and maintained with representatives of the Ministry, other Ministries and jurisdictions, post-secondary schools, and stakeholder organizations.
   
• Agility - Presents controversial changes and must be able to handle controversial issues and emotionally charged audiences and deescalate issues.
   
• Creative Problem Solving - Assesses and evaluates information requirements of post-secondary schools, in collaboration with Ministry coordinators as appropriate; accomplished through regular issue resolution meetings and discussions.
   
• System Thinking – Capacity to understand the potential ramifications of decisions and recommendations, and that results achieved can have a substantial and significant impact on Student Aid's political position political environment and risks when considering possible actions.

Qualifications

University graduation in a related field plus 2 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:
 

• Political acumen to navigate government structures and understand the implications of decisions on various stakeholders.
• The ability to think strategically and anticipate future developments and trends is crucial for addressing emergent issues.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills are essential for effectively coordinating and conveying complex information.
• Distilling and summarizing large documents into briefing notes, policy papers, and power points.
• Being able to respond to challenges on policy and acts and regulations through the interpretation and summary of existing parameters. 
• Interpersonal, consultation, presentation and facilitation skills, including ability to interact effectively with diverse stakeholders, clients, and partners 
• Research and analytical skills.
• Project Management Professional Certification (PMP) is an asset
• Leadership skills, including ability to coach and mentor.
• Experience working with Alberta post-secondary schools or Alberta Student Aid programs.

Notes

This is a 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 with your application explaining your qualification and suitability for this role.

NOTE: Interviews for this position will take place the second/third week of July 2025.

The final candidate for this position will be asked to undergo pre-employment checks (including a criminal record check).

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
• 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.