PUBLIC INTEREST & POLICY JOBS

Position: Executive Director
Organization: Public Interest Alberta
Location: Edmonton, Alberta

Public Interest Alberta, a provincial membership-based advocacy organization, is seeking applications for the position of Executive Director.

The organization was founded in 2004 to build a network of organizations and individuals committed to advancing the public interest on issues related to child care, democracy, K-12 and post-secondary education, environment, human services and poverty, and seniors. It is a progressive organization run by a volunteer board of directors, and the focus of its work is on advocacy for public services, institutions, and spaces.

NOTE: Our full team is working remotely from home during the COVID-19 pandemic, until further notice.

Areas of Responsibility

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director is the Chief Executive Officer and has the responsibility to provide day-to-day management in a fast-paced environment, as well as strategic leadership and direction to the organization, employees, and volunteers.

Key Responsibilities/Duties

• Advise and work with the board of directors on policies, procedures, and strategic directions
• Build, implement, and manage the operations and programs of the organization
• Provide leadership by analyzing emerging trends and opportunities, and by planning and coordinating programs to achieve organizational goals
• Liaise with and build effective working relationships with member agencies, the labour movement, community groups, non-governmental organizations, all levels of government, and the public at large
• Act as the chief spokesperson of the organization and build positive relationships with media outlets, reporters, bloggers, and social media commentators
• Develop the public profile of the organization through proactive media relations and strategic communication initiatives
• Oversee the financial operations of the organization and ensure the production of financial reports and annual budgets
• Seek out funding sources and ensure the long-term financial health of the organization
• Supervise and provide direction to staff and volunteers as required
• Lead collective bargaining with staff in a unionized workplace

Qualifications

Public Interest Alberta strongly encourages people of all backgrounds to apply and strives to engage diverse people in our work at all levels, to ensure all communities in Alberta see themselves reflected in our programming. We are committed to considering applicants who identify as part of equity-seeking groups including people of colour, persons with disabilities, and those who identify as Indigenous, LGBTQ2S+, women, and youth.

The successful candidate will possess:

• A degree or diploma in a related field; equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered
• Excellent networking, organizational, and interpersonal skills
• A strong background in public policy analysis and writing
• Effective written and oral communication skills
• Experience in a leadership and supervisory role, preferably in the non-profit sector
• Experience with media relations, including networking, responding to interviews, writing news releases, and hosting news conferences
• Extensive experience in Alberta’s progressive advocacy community
• Demonstrated initiative, resourcefulness, and an ability to work independently
• Computer literacy and demonstrated skills using Microsoft Office

Compensation

This is a 35-hour-per-week position in Edmonton and offers a starting salary of $87,000 to $98,000 annually (based on qualifications and experience), along with health and retirement benefits.

To Apply

Submit your cover letter, resume, and a maximum of three letters of reference electronically to joel.french@pialberta.org by March 4, 2021, at 4 PM, with the subject line “Executive Director application.” Interviews will be conducted via video conference on March 8, 2021. Preferred starting date is March 29, 2021, but is negotiable.

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We thank all applicants for their interest. However, only those individuals selected for interviews will be contacted.