Executive Communications Consultant

​COMPETITION NUMBER: 1149
CLOSING DATE: MARCH 18, 2025 @11:59PM MST

MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS

NorQuesters are difference makers and we’re searching for someone dedicated to making a difference to join our Strategic Communications team as an Executive Communications Consultant. The successful candidate will bring curiosity and courage to every challenge, finds ways forward, and add value to colleagues, our leaners, and our community.

Reporting to the Manager of Communications, the Executive Communications Consultant is responsible for developing, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating integrated communication strategies and tactics the elevate the awareness of NorQuest and the perception of the college, both regionally and nationally. You will bring a strategic lens to a broad range of institutional communications plans in collaboration with other team experts to provide communications counsel to senior leadership, especially on issues management matters and communications strategy.

The position also provides government relations and engaging, dynamic senior writing support for the college (speeches, articles, and other corporate communications) that will capture the essence of what sets NorQuest apart. You will have excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to multitask and adapt in a fast-paced environment. To ensure success, the Executive Communications Consultant must be innovative, self-motivated, and demonstrate exceptional judgement with a keen interest in driving strategic messages to key stakeholders. Experience in diverse and inclusive communities and working with a broad range of internal and external stakeholders is an asset.

HOW YOU'LL MAKE A DIFFERENCE

• Supports the development and ongoing revision of a comprehensive senior leadership communications strategy that reflects the priorities, goals, and outcomes defined in NorQuest 2030.
• Writes speaking notes and speeches for executive and board.
• Writes corporate documents e.g., messages from Executive & Board of Governors, for a variety of internal and external audiences.
• Provides strategic advice and assistance to senior executive on a wide range of communications and issues management matters.
• Identifies strategic public relations opportunities for college: i.e. public speaking engagements, employee leadership outside the college, volunteer work, connections to other community causes, etc.
• Assists in helping the college meet legislative requirements and goals by drafting statements, letters, briefing notes, testimonies, and through direct contact with government officials.
• Develops and implement communication plans, strategies, tactics, and materials to enhance and protect the college's strategic reputation and raise the college's profile in support of the strategic plan.
• Develops and implement internal communication strategies, plans, and materials to communicate highly sensitive and important issues, strategies, and messages to NorQuest employees.
• Supports organizational change management programs with communications strategies that effectively engage employees and other key internal and external stakeholders.
• Ensures college key messages are incorporated into various communications vehicles and continually reinforce NorQuest's mission, vision, values, culture, and brand in all communications.
• Works closely with President's office, often on confidential and highly sensitive information.
• Prepares and supports credible and articulate spokespersons for the college as the alternate media contact.

WHAT YOU BRING 

• Bachelor’s degree in a related area.
• 8+ years of related experience in a communications role with a focus on strategic communications and demonstrated experience working with senior management and leadership.
• Must have issues management experience, including dealing with confidential and highly sensitive information.
• Strong understanding of NorQuest and the Alberta post-secondary sector, including governance and key stakeholders like the Government and Alberta.

WHAT MAKES YOU A DIFFERENCE MAKER

As a difference maker you bring:

• Excellent attention to detail and ability to research and produce background materials to support responses to media.
• Ability to manage competing deadlines and multiple demands, and effectively prioritize.
• High degree of professionalism and ability to demonstrate exceptional judgement and decision-making autonomy.

SALARY: $89,708 - $112,166 reflective upon what you bring AKA your education and experience. This is a full-time permanent position with immediate access to our great pension and benefit programs. 

We offer flexible work options. We strive for balance between a flexible work environment, connectedness to the campus community, and ensuring NorQuesters are set up to succeed in their roles and responsibilities.

Additional Information: Pre-Employment Checks will be completed to assess the candidate’s suitability for a role. These checks may include (but are not limited to): references, criminal record check, academic verification, etc.

For applicants who have completed post-secondary studies from outside of Canada, it is recommended they obtain an assessment of their credentials from a recognized Canadian Credential Evaluator, such as:

• International Qualifications Assessment Service https://www.alberta.ca/international-qualifications-assessment
• World Education Services https://www.wes.org/ca/

We encourage applicants to include the assessment certificate as part of their application.

This competition may be used to fill future vacancies, across NorQuest College, at the same or lower classification level.

Our Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion: We're on a journey to become an inclusive, anti-racist, and decolonized organization. NorQuesters are trailblazers – we are curious, creative, and innovative - our lived experiences are honoured, creating accessibility and a sense of belonging for everyone.

NorQuest 2030 We Are Who We Include shares our strength and difference comes from who is included, and along with our students we are learning and growing to listen deeply and say what we feel.

NorQuest College is committed to being an employer of choice for First Nations, Métis, and Inuit people by recognizing, respecting, and supporting Indigenous people's self-determination through the institution’s work in decolonization, reconciliation, and Indigenization.

Accessibility: At NorQuest, we are who we include. We strive to provide access and accommodation throughout the recruitment, application, and selection process. We want to create opportunities for you to confidently be your authentic self. If you would like an accommodation at any stage of the process, please reach out to Careers@norquest.ca.

Apply to Become a NorQuester: If this opportunity delights you and your expertise will shine in this role, we invite you to apply for this position online by uploading your resume and cover letter combined as one document.

PSST: Only candidates shortlisted for an interview will be contacted and we’ll make sure to do this within 28 days of the closing date.