Director, Communications and Engagement, Office of the City Manager Job Listing at City of Edmonton in Edmonton, AB (Job ID 55010)

Description

Reporting to the Chief of Staff, the Director, Communications and Engagement, Office of the City Manager, serves as an integral strategic partner to the Chief of Staff and the City Manager. This role requires a keen systems thinker who can successfully position the City Manager and the Office's priorities to a broad spectrum of audiences. You will ensure appropriate engagement with Edmontonians, City Council, employees, media, union partners, and various levels of government, aligning all efforts with Council's Priorities, The City Plan and the overall corporate business plan.

You are a strategic partner and will provide counsel to advance key initiatives. This position leads a team of five staff, providing strategic advice and practical support to key groups within the City Manager's Office, including the Office of the Chief of Staff, Legal Services Branch, the Office of the City Clerk, and the Office of the City Auditor.

As a trusted and valued member of the senior team, you will be involved in high-level discussions and key decision-making, providing real-time counsel to advance the strategies of the Executive Leadership Team. Success in this role requires multi-dimensional problem-solving, integrating skills across external relations, marketing, and intergovernmental realms. Furthermore, you will act as the primary liaison between Administration and the Mayor's office for communications related items, working diligently to build and protect the reputation of the City Manager and the corporation.

What will you do?

• Develop and execute comprehensive communications and engagement strategies that advance the long-term goals of the Office of the City Manager, serving as the primary liaison with the Mayor's Office to ensure strategic alignment
• Provide strategic leadership for a five member communications team, driving a high-performance culture, and providing coaching, development, and performance management to build organizational talent and capacity
• Ensure the effectiveness of Administration's messaging by reviewing Council reports, advising on sequencing to address complex issues, and proactively positioning key reports to the media and public while mitigating reputational risks
• Collaborate closely with external relations partners to strategically position the City Manager in the public realm, developing critical support materials such as briefing notes and speaking points to ensure consistent and effective messaging
• Champion political and corporate integration by participating in senior-level discussions to align communications across departments and ensuring the City Manager is fully equipped to speak and respond publicly on all major City issues and initiatives

Qualifications

• Experience, knowledge, training, and/or education in Communications, Journalism, or a related field
• Significant corporate communications experience in a senior leadership role within a large, complex organization
• Experience with issues and reputation management within a large and complex public organization, ideally with another municipality or other levels of government

Skills Required for Success:

• Demonstrated leadership abilities to cultivate focus, engagement, and commitment within diverse and complex environments
• Proven ability to cultivate strong relationships across diverse teams and business partners, fostering collaboration, trust, and mutual respect
• Flexible to navigate shifting priorities, maintain resilience, and lead inclusively amidst evolving landscapes
• Results-driven approach, inclusive of strategy development and performance management
• Proficient negotiation, problem-solving, and conflict resolution skills for inclusive decision-making
• Service excellence, embracing diversity and promoting inclusiveness
• Alignment to our Cultural Commitments and Leadership Competencies (https://bit.ly/4brRrXm)
• Embracing a culture of equity, diversity, reconciliation and inclusion

Conditions of Employment and Work Environment:

• 1 permanent, full-time position
• Hours of Work: 36.9 hours per week, Monday - Friday. This position may be eligible for a hybrid work arrangement with the flexibility to work from both home and the worksite
• Salary: (Annually) $130,637.93 - $163,297.94
• Hire is dependent on a Criminal Information Check satisfactory to the City of Edmonton. There may be a cost associated with this requirement

The City of Edmonton values applicants with a diverse range of skills, experiences and competencies, and encourages you to apply. We strive to provide reasonable access and accommodations throughout the recruitment process. To request an accommodation, please contact employment@edmonton.ca. Learn more about our benefits https://bit.ly/COEbenefits. Talent sourced through this process may be considered for similar opportunities within the City of Edmonton.

Recruitment Consultant: JM/SB

Edmonton rests in the heart of Treaty Six territory in Alberta and the homelands of the Metis Nation.

#LI-JM1

IND 123

Classification Title: PT4
Posting Date: May 04, 2026
Closing Date: May 25, 2026 11:59:00 PM (MDT)
Number of Openings (up to): 1 - Permanent Full-time
Union: Management
Department: Office of the City Manager
Work Location(s): City Hall, 3rd Floor, 1 Sir Winston Churchill Square Edmonton T5J 2R7

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