Assistant Director, Media Relations

Assistant Director, Media Relations

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Posting Date: Jul 24, 2026

Location: Edmonton, AB

Company: Government of Alberta

Job Information
Job Title: Assistant Director, Media Relations
Job Requisition ID: 85699
Ministry: Executive Council
Location: Edmonton
Full or Part-Time: Full-Time
Hours of Work: 36.25
Permanent/Temporary/Wage: Permanent
Scope: Open Competition
Closing Date: August 4, 2026
Classification: Manager Zone 2 (M41Z2)
Salary: $3,920.66 to $5,276.07 bi-weekly ($102, 329.22- $137,705.42/year) 
Communications and Public Engagement (CPE) is the Government of Alberta’s full-service communications, public relations and marketing department. Its mandate is to enhance communications between Albertans and the Government of Alberta.
CPE’s expert staff provide specialized services across the spectrum of communications including writing, social media, media relations, event coordination, issues management, crisis communications, digital communications, advertising, marketing, graphic design, public engagement and translation services.
The department staffs communications branches in all government ministries of government, along with a central operations department. For information about CPE, visit our website at https://www.alberta.ca/cpe.

Role Responsibilities

Are you a communications leader who thrives on building relationships, connecting with diverse audiences, and shaping how government engages with Albertans.
Reporting to the Director, Media Outreach and Events, the Assistant Director, Media Relations plays a key leadership role in advancing Government of Alberta priorities through strategic media outreach and stakeholder engagement. This position leads a team responsible for strengthening relationships with multicultural, rural, national, international, and specialty media, while supporting meaningful engagement with cultural communities and diverse audiences across Alberta. You will work closely with senior leaders, communications professionals, media representatives, and community partners to identify opportunities, navigate emerging issues, and deliver outreach strategies that enhance public awareness and engagement. 
In this role you will: 

Strategic Media Relations & Outreach 

• Lead the development and implementation of media outreach strategies that support Government of Alberta priorities and increase engagement with diverse audiences.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen Alberta's visibility across multicultural, rural, national, international and specialty media markets.
• Provide strategic advice and recommendations on media relations activities, emerging issues and outreach opportunities.

Media & Stakeholder Engagement 

• Build and maintain strong relationships with journalists, editors, broadcasters, community media representatives and key stakeholders.
• Oversee media engagement activities including interviews, media events, roundtables and stakeholder outreach initiatives.
• Act as a key liaison with the Premier's Office, Ministerial Offices and internal communications partners to support coordinated media relations efforts. 

Role Responsibilities (Continued)

Team Leadership & Operational Excellence 

• Lead, coach and support a team delivering media relations, outreach and translation-related services.
• Foster a collaborative, high-performing team environment through coaching, performance feedback and employee development.
• Ensure effective processes, reporting mechanisms and operational practices are in place to support service delivery and continuous improvement.

Reporting & Continuous Improvement 

• Monitor media trends, stakeholder feedback and outreach performance to identify opportunities, risks and emerging issues. 
• Use data, reporting and technology to support evidence-based decision-making and continuous improvement of media engagement activities. 

 
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.
Systems Thinking
Considers how government priorities, stakeholder interests, media landscapes, and community needs intersect when developing media relations and outreach strategies.
Develop Networks
Builds and maintains strong relationships with media representatives, cultural communities, stakeholders, and internal partners to support government priorities and effective outreach.
Build Collaborative Environments
Fosters productive partnerships and works collaboratively with communications teams, ministry partners, media contacts, and stakeholders to achieve shared outcomes.
Agility
Adapts quickly to changing priorities, emerging issues, media requests, and evolving communications needs while maintaining a high standard of service and judgment.
Develop Self and Others
Leads, coaches, and supports team members by fostering learning, encouraging development, and creating a positive and high-performing work environment.
Drive for Results
Balances competing priorities, manages complex media relations initiatives, and delivers high-quality outcomes within tight timelines.

This link will assist you with understanding competencies.

Qualifications

University graduation in a related field such as Marketing, Communications, Public Relations, Business or related discipline supplemented by a minimum of four years of progressively responsible related experience.
Equivalencies will be considered on the basis of:

• One year of education for one year of related experience; or
• One year of related experience for one year of education.

Assets:
Preference will be given to candidates with experience in one or more of the following areas:

• Working with cultural communities or cultural media organizations.
• Building relationships with journalists, editors, producers, broadcasters, community media representatives, or cultural media organizations.
• Developing media outreach strategies for cultural communities, language markets, rural communities, or specialized stakeholder groups.
• Planning or supporting media interviews, media events, media roundtables, stakeholder briefings, or ministerial media engagements.
• Providing communications advice that demonstrates cultural awareness and sensitivity to diverse audiences and communities.
• Knowledge of public sector communications practices, Government of Alberta communications standards, Canadian Press Style, or plain language principles.
• Experience developing or implementing communications, outreach, or media relations strategies supporting government, public sector, political, multicultural, rural, national, international, or specialty audiences.
• Experience using media monitoring, stakeholder analysis, performance metrics, reporting tools, data, or AI-enabled technologies to support communications planning and decision-making.

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

Notes

Hours of work are 8:15 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday to Friday in office. 
If a security screening is required:

• Final candidates will be required to undergo a criminal records check (CRC).
• Applicants being considered for this position will be required to complete a Level 2 Enhanced Security screening (including an enhanced criminal record check along with a credit check) as part of the pre-employment checks for this position.

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 we have to offer:

• Working for the Alberta Public Service
• Management Employee Pension Plan (MEPP)
• Alberta Public Service Benefit Information
• Professional learning and development
• Research Alberta Public Service Careers tool
• Positive workplace culture and work-life balance.
  

How To Apply
Applicants are advised to provide information that clearly and concisely demonstrates how their qualifications meet the advertised requirements, including education, experience, and relevant examples of required competencies.
Candidates are required to apply online. Please click here for more information. Please visit Recruitment Principles, for more information.
In your resume, please include dates (including months and years) associated with all education and work experience. For example, January 2006 - June 2009 (part-time). This example is provided for illustrative purposes only. Applicants are encouraged to present their information clearly and thoroughly, using a format that best conveys their experience.
It is recommended applicants who have completed post-secondary studies from outside of Canada obtain an evaluation of their credentials from the International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS) or from a recognized Canadian Credential Evaluator; please visit the Alliance of Credential Evaluation Services of Canada for more information.
It is also recommended that applicants include the assessment certificate from IQAS or any other educational assessment service as part of their application. 
Closing Statement
This competition may be used to fill future vacancies, across the Government of Alberta, at the same or lower classification level.
We thank all applicants for their interest. All applications will be reviewed to determine which candidates' qualifications most closely match the advertised requirements.
If you require any further information on this job posting or require an accommodation during the recruitment process, please contact Annie Ostopowich at Annie.Ostopowich@gov.ab.ca.

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