Manager, Communications

Job Description: Work. Wonders. Get inspired - Face Your Wild in Alberta. Come and be a part of this amazing organization.

At Travel Alberta, we are redefining what it means to be a tourism and economic development leader in Canada. As the provincial destination management organization, we've embraced an ambitious goal: doubling Alberta's tourism sector to $25 billion in annual visitor spending by 2035. This bold vision reflects our commitment to transforming Alberta into a premier destination for both visitors and investors, driving sustainable economic growth while creating unforgettable itineraries and experiences that showcase our breathtaking landscapes, vibrant cities, and rich cultural heritage.

Reporting to the Director, External Affairs & Communications, the Manager, Communications leads the delivery of Travel Alberta's corporate communications function, supporting organizational priorities through effective communications that steward the organization's reputation and highlight the value and impact of Alberta's visitor economy.

As an experienced communications professional and people leader, the Manager supports the development of enterprise-wide communications strategies and leads their execution to communicate Travel Alberta's role in growing the visitor economy and advancing the organization's strategic priorities. The Manager leads the Corporate Communications team, providing direction, coaching, mentorship, and performance management while fostering a collaborative, accountable, and innovative culture.

The role establishes communications priorities, governance, and standards to ensure Travel Alberta communicates with clarity, consistency, persuasion, and purpose. Working with the Senior Leadership Team and leaders across Travel Alberta, the Manager provides communications advice and support, contributes to organizational initiatives, and delivers corporate storytelling that highlights Travel Alberta's impact, investments, and role in advancing Alberta's visitor economy.

The Manager supports executive communications and media readiness activities by providing counsel, key messaging, preparation, and communications support to ensure executives are equipped to engage effectively with media and key stakeholders while representing Travel Alberta with confidence and consistency.

The Manager works collaboratively with Brand, Marketing, and Content teams to ensure corporate communications complement broader organizational storytelling and effectively support business objectives. In partnership with People & Culture, the Manager provides strategic communications support for internal communications, ensuring team members receive relevant, timely, and engaging information that strengthens alignment, understanding, and connection to organizational priorities.

The position also supports executive communications, issues management, crisis communications, and corporate reputation initiatives as required, providing timely communications advice, coordination, and support to help address emerging issues and protect the organization's reputation.

1. Corporate Communications Planning & Execution:
   • Support the Vice President, Strategy, Research & Communications in the development of Travel Alberta's corporate communications strategy and lead the execution of communications plans that align with organizational priorities, business objectives, and strategic direction.
   • Implement communications frameworks, standards, and processes established through the Director, External Affairs & Communications to ensure consistent corporate messaging, positioning, and voice across the organization.
   • Support the Director, External Affairs & Communications in developing communications approaches that strengthen engagement with government stakeholders, and execute communications plans that communicate organizational priorities, investments, outcomes, and economic impact.
   • Assume a leadership role in the planning, coordination, and execution of communications for key organizational initiatives, corporate priorities, and business activities in support of enterprise communications objectives.
   • Develop and deliver corporate storytelling that effectively communicates Travel Alberta's value, outcomes, and impact, in alignment with the organization's communications priorities.
   • Collaborate with Brand, Marketing, and Content teams to align corporate communications with broader organizational storytelling and leverage creative expertise.
   • Develop and implement audience-focused communications plans that ensure key messages reach the right audiences through the most effective channels.
   • Oversee the planning, management, and ongoing delivery of corporate communications channels and platforms, including the corporate website, Industry Hub, LinkedIn, Connections newsletter, internal communications, and corporate reporting, ensuring content is timely, relevant, engaging, and aligned with organizational priorities.
   • Maintain and implement Travel Alberta's corporate messaging framework, key messages, and communications standards, ensuring consistency across corporate communications.
2. Corporate Reputation, Stakeholder Communications & Public Relations:
   • Lead corporate communications initiatives that strengthen Travel Alberta's reputation, value proposition, and position the organization as a leader in destination management and Alberta's visitor economy.
   • Develop communications approaches that demonstrate the impact and value of Travel Alberta's programs, investments, and initiatives, especially with government.
   • Support the development and delivery of public and media relations initiatives aligned with organizational priorities, including proactive media outreach, responding to media inquiries, coordinating corporate announcements, and providing spokesperson support.
   • Monitor emerging issues, stakeholder perspectives, and reputational considerations, providing communications advice and recommendations to leaders.
   • Provide support with executive communications, issues management, crisis communications, and corporate reputation initiatives as required, providing timely communications advice, coordination, and support to help address emerging issues and protect the organization's reputation.
3. Internal Communications & Organizational Alignment:
   • Partner with People and Culture to help develop internal communications strategies that strengthen team member understanding, engagement, and alignment with Travel Alberta's priorities.
   • Provide strategic communications advice on organizational initiatives, change activities, and internal priorities.
   • Ensure internal communications are audience-focused, timely, and delivered through the most effective channels.
   • Develop communication approaches that connect team members to Travel Alberta's strategy, business outcomes, and organizational impact.
   • Establish channel governance and best practices to ensure team members receive relevant information in ways that are accessible, engaging, and meaningful.
   • Work collaboratively across the organization to identify stories, insights, and opportunities that reinforce culture, connection, and organizational alignment.
4. Business Planning, Reporting & Organizational Communications:
   • Execute communications support for key corporate planning and reporting activities, including business plans, annual reports, board materials, corporate presentations, and other strategic planning documents.
   • Ensure corporate reporting and planning materials communicate a clear, consistent narrative aligned with organizational priorities.
   • Translate business objectives, initiatives, and outcomes into compelling corporate communications.
   • Support organizational change communications and initiatives requiring coordinated internal and external communication approaches.
   • Measure communications effectiveness through analytics, reporting, and continuous improvement practices.
5. Leadership & Team Development:
   • Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing Corporate Communications team, fostering accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
   • Establish clear team priorities, allocate resources, and ensure effective delivery of communications initiatives.
   • Provide ongoing coaching, mentorship, and performance management to support team growth and development.
   • Create an environment that encourages innovation, collaboration, and excellence in communications practices.
   • Build strong partnerships across Travel Alberta, positioning Corporate Communications as a trusted strategic advisor and service partner.
   • Manage external communications resources, including agencies, consultants, and vendors, ensuring effective delivery and value.

1. Education & Experience:
   • Post-secondary degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, or a related discipline. A graduate degree is considered an asset.
   • A minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible experience in corporate communications, strategic communications, organizational communications, corporate affairs, public relations, or related disciplines.
   • A minimum of 5 years of direct people leadership experience, including coaching, performance management, team member development, and building high-performing teams.
   • Demonstrated success leading corporate communications programs that support organizational priorities, business outcomes, reputation, and stakeholder confidence.
   • Proven ability to develop and implement integrated communications strategies across internal and external audiences.
   • Demonstrated ability to provide strategic communications advice to leaders within complex organizations, translating business priorities into clear and compelling communications approaches.
   • Skilled in developing corporate messaging, executive materials, briefing documents, presentations, reports, and other strategic communications products.
   • Background developing internal communications strategies in partnership with People & Culture and senior leaders to support team member alignment, engagement, and organizational priorities.
   • Knowledge of communications channel management and governance practices, ensuring the right information reaches the right audiences through the most effective channels.
   • Expertise in supporting corporate reputation management, issues management, and proactive communications planning.
   • Demonstrated ability to collaborate across multiple business areas, including executive leadership, strategy, marketing, brand, content, digital, and operational teams.
   • Experience managing external agencies, consultants, vendors, and communications resources with accountability for quality, timelines, and outcomes.
   • Ability to use analytics, insights, and performance measures to evaluate communications effectiveness and inform continuous improvement.
   • Background working in complex, fast-paced environments with multiple stakeholders, competing priorities, and evolving organizational needs.
   • Experience within a Crown corporation, public sector organization, regulated environment, tourism organization, or similarly complex organization is considered an asset.
   • Experience working within, or communicating with, provincial and federal governments, including an understanding of government processes, approvals, and issues management, would be an asset.
2. Technical Skills:
   • Strong understanding of corporate communications strategy, governance, audience segmentation, and communications planning.
   • Ability to develop and maintain corporate messaging frameworks, key messages, communication plans, and editorial standards.
   • Strong writing and editing skills, with the ability to develop communications materials for a variety of audiences, including team members, stakeholders, shareholders, and senior leaders.
   • Ability to translate complex business information, organizational priorities, and strategic initiatives into clear, engaging, and accessible communications.
   • Knowledge of internal communications practices, including channel strategy, team member engagement communications, and change communications.
   • Experience managing communications channels, platforms, and distribution approaches to improve audience reach, engagement, and understanding.
   • Ability to use communications measurement tools, analytics, and insights to evaluate effectiveness and recommend improvements.
   • Knowledge of media relations, public relations practices, issues management, and corporate reputation principles.
   • Experience supporting executive communications, including presentations, speaking notes, briefing materials, and thought leadership content.
   • Experience managing communications projects, budgets, timelines, and external partners within structured governance environments.
   • Familiarity with emerging communications tools, digital platforms, AI-enabled communications capabilities, and evolving audience behaviors is considered an asset.

1. Planning, Analysis & Judgment:
   • Ability to align corporate communications strategies and day-to-day activities with organizational priorities and business objectives.
   • Strong strategic thinking skills with the ability to assess communication needs, identify opportunities, and recommend appropriate approaches.
   • Ability to interpret complex information, emerging issues, and stakeholder perspectives to inform communications recommendations.
   • Demonstrated ability to balance competing priorities, assess risks, and exercise sound judgment in a dynamic environment.
   • Ability to understand how effective communications contribute to organizational reputation, team member alignment, and stakeholder confidence.
   • Exercises discretion and objectivity in assessing sensitive issues, providing advice that reflects organizational interests, strategic priorities, and factual analysis rather than personal perspectives or preferences.
2. Communication & Relationship Management:
   • Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with the ability to communicate clearly, strategically, and effectively with diverse audiences.
   • Ability to translate complex business priorities into clear, compelling, and audience-focused communications.
   • Strong relationship-building skills with the ability to establish trust and credibility with leaders, team members, partners, and stakeholders.
   • Ability to provide strategic advice, influence decisions, and collaborate effectively across a complex organization.
   • Ability to tailor communications approaches based on audience needs, organizational objectives, and communication channels.
3. Leadership & Collaboration:
   • Demonstrated ability to lead, coach, and develop communications professionals while creating a positive, accountable, and collaborative team environment.
   • Ability to establish direction, clarify priorities, and support team members in delivering high-quality communications outcomes.
   • Strong collaboration skills with the ability to support the Director, External Affairs & Communications.