Laa-25-28 - Director, Communications & Public Relations - Edmonton

Legal Aid Alberta is seeking to fill a full time Director, Communications & Public Relations role in our Edmonton office. This position will appeal to an individual that likes to take initiative, is client focused and is exceptionally strong in delivering high-quality results.
Who We Are
As a publicly funded, non-profit organization, Legal Aid Alberta provides affordable legal services in family law, domestic violence, child welfare, immigration, and youth and adult criminal defense. We are Alberta-wide, with 300 staff and 1,200 private practice lawyers helping people overcome their legal challenges in more than 75 communities across the province.
Who You Are
Working at Legal Aid Alberta means you care about people and empathize with their situation. You have excellent communication skills especially in tough situations. You’re computer-savvy and more organized than anyone you know. Fast-paced work environments give you a rush and you’re always up for a challenge. You love learning new things, solving problems, and can adapt to change quickly. You care deeply about the success of our team and our organization.
**Job Description**:
Reporting to the Vice President, People, Culture, & Communications, the Director, Communications & Public Relations plays a pivotal role in shaping and executing Legal Aid Alberta’s (LAA) comprehensive communication strategy. As a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, the Director provides strategic guidance and oversight to ensure LAA’s messaging aligns with its mission, values, and long-term objectives. This role is responsible for developing, integrating, and implementing a broad range of communication, media, and public relations initiatives that enhance LAA’s brand, reputation, and stakeholder engagement. The Director also provides executive communications counsel to senior leaders, advising on communication strategies that influence public perception, policy development, and stakeholder relations. Leading a high-performing team, the Director sets performance metrics, drives innovation in digital and traditional communication channels, and ensures all public-facing content reflects LAA’s commitment to access to justice and community service. The Director plays a vital role in advancing the organization’s mission, strengthening stakeholder trust, and ensuring Legal Aid Alberta remains a recognized and respected voice in the justice system, the province and the nation.
Strategic Communication Planning And Communication Counsel
- Develop strategic communications plans to advance LAA’s strategic objectives, improving understanding of the functioning and underlying principles of its programs and services. This would include:

- working with the executive and staff to actively identify and recognize internal and external communications issues, opportunities and solutions, and define and execute appropriate strategies to support the initiatives,
- develop and oversee the utilization of consistent key messages for both internal and external audiences, and
- integrating online and offline considerations into the strategic communications planning.
- Act as a strategic comms advisor for all enterprise initiatives.

Issues Management & Crisis Communications
- Provide strategic oversight for emerging issues affecting LAA’s reputation and operations.
- Develop proactive messaging strategies to ensure alignment with LAA’s mission and organizational priorities.
- Act as the primary advisor on communications strategies for executive leadership.
- Lead the development and execution of crisis communication plans to mitigate risks and ensure transparency.
- Implement rapid response protocols, ensuring timely and effective messaging during critical situations.

Brand Management
- Serve as LAA’s brand manager, with the responsibility of enhancing LAA’s reputation in the justice system and helping to maintain positive relationships with stakeholders.
- Develop and oversee the use of all printed and promotional materials, including signage, letterhead, business cards, and brochures, ensuring they are consistent across all departments and regions.
- Provides ongoing monitoring of brand health (reputation).
- Work to ensure messaging continuity for and within LAA’s business units by developing and enforcing communications policies and brand standards, and by identifying and initiating internal communications opportunities.

Communication Implementation
- Lead and execute the implementation of approved communications strategies and communications product development including
- researching, interviewing, writing and/or editing compelling communications materials such as the annual report, internal announcements, stories, speaking notes, presentations, web content, news releases, backgrounders and various collateral materials,
- overseeing the design and production of all LAA print communications, public relations and promotional materials including the annual report, and special publications
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