The Alberta Dental Association (ADA) is the collective voice of dentists in Alberta. Established in 2023, the ADA strengthens and supports the dental profession and promotes oral health as an integral part of general health for all Albertans.
The Position
You know what deserves attention, what needs a clear position and how to make a message land. You bring seasoned judgment, fresh instincts, and the creative edge to help the ADA stand out. You think strategically, move quickly and deliver polished work. You are ready to keep pace with an ambitious CEO and team and bring your creative edge to the table.
Reporting to the CEO, the Public Relations & Communications Director leads the ADA’s communications, public relations, marketing, and digital presence. You will strengthen our distinctive voice, engage members, build public trust, and support advocacy that advances the profession and oral health in Alberta. You will support the CEO in leading government relations, working closely with our external GR firm.
You will also develop our Communications Specialist, manage contracted vendors, and coach our leaders. Each year, you will help the incoming elected President find their authentic voice as the ADA’s spokesperson, keeping our brand consistent while making their leadership their own.
We set a high bar, pitch in, celebrate our wins and make room for humour. Bring your energy and your best work!
This is a full-time, permanent position.
Hours of work: Occasional evening and weekend availability is required for Board and committee meetings, events, major campaigns and urgent media or reputational issues. Scheduled Board and committee commitments usually involve 2–3 evenings and one weekend day every 2–3 months. Some flexibility with daily work hours is available under ADA policies.
Location: Staff of the ADA work in a hybrid in-office and home office model, per the established Personnel Policies. The ability to travel within the province, and potentially nationally, is required.
Salary: $100,000 to $145,000, commensurate with experience.
Responsibilities
As a member of the ADA’s senior leadership team, you will translate organizational strategy into focused plans, develop people and stay accountable for delivery. Your responsibilities include:
- Lead the annual communications and marketing plan, aligning campaigns, media engagement, digital strategy, and editorial priorities with the ADA’s strategic and operational goals, evidence, and member needs.
- Own the accuracy, tone, quality and impact of communications for members, media, government, partners, and the public. Strengthen the ADA’s brand and protect the credibility of the Association and profession.
- Build a proactive media program: cultivate relationships, pitch relevant stories, screen inquiries, and monitor coverage. Support members with media inquiries and prepare ADA spokespersons for interviews.
- Coach each incoming ADA President to communicate with confidence in their own voice. Advise the CEO and other leaders and develop speeches, scripts, presentations, articles, statements, and key messages.
- Support CEO-led government relations and lobbying in close collaboration with the external GR firm. Rapidly assess policy and political developments, recommend timely action, prepare briefs and advocacy materials, and support meetings and follow-through with elected officials and government staff.
- Anticipate emerging issues through policy, environmental and media scanning. Help lead coordinated responses to misinformation, reputational risks, policy changes and urgent developments, including natural disasters.
- Develop, implement and evaluate the ADA’s public awareness and oral health campaigns, including Oral Health Month, and collaborate with the Canadian Dental Association (CDA) and provincial and territorial dental associations (PTDAs) Communicators Group on shared initiatives.
- Oversee member and public communications across the website, Member Lounge, email, and social channels. Create engaging content and test fresh formats, including video, while maintaining professional standards.
- Lead the ADA Connection magazine, from editorial planning and content development through editing, design, printing, and distribution. Work with other teams to support advertising revenue and sponsor commitments while maintaining editorial credibility.
- Lead strategic communications and marketing for the ADA’s flagship event, the Alberta Dental Team Summit, and promote ADA programs, services, and educational offerings.
- Supervise and develop the Communications Specialist through clear goals, regular feedback, and learning and development. Build skills, confidence and ownership while ensuring quality and timely delivery.
- Manage external vendors and contracted expertise, including design, photography, videography, and digital services. Define scopes, negotiate agreements, coordinate work and hold partners accountable for quality, budgets, and deadlines.
- Be accountable for the communications budget and operational plans, set realistic priorities and use resources effectively. Measure media coverage, digital engagement, campaign performance and member feedback; report results and adjust plans.
- Contribute to a collaborative leadership team, coordinate communications across departments and support change. Represent the ADA in the CDA and PTDA Communicators Working Group and participate in Board, committee and assigned partner and political meetings.
Additional Skills and Attributes
- Exceptional writing, editing and storytelling skills, with the ability to turn complex or sensitive issues into clear, credible communications that engage different audiences.
- Fast, thoughtful analysis and strong political judgment. You connect the dots, anticipate opportunities and bring recommendations before you are asked.
- Creative curiosity and current communications instincts. You understand evolving media, platforms and audience expectations and know when a bold idea needs careful handling.
- Strong coaching and leadership skills. You set high standards, give useful feedback, share credit, and help junior staff and leaders grow.
- Professional presence, diplomacy and relationship-building skills, with the confidence to advise senior leaders, offer constructive challenge, and handle sensitive information discreetly.
- Excellent project, budget, and vendor management skills. You balance competing priorities, negotiate effectively, and follow through on details.
- Calm under pressure, adaptable and self-directed. You combine strategic leadership with a willingness to write, edit and deliver alongside the team.
Education and Experience
- A degree in communications, public relations, journalism, political science or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
- Substantial progressive experience in strategic communications and public relations, including leadership responsibility and demonstrated results across multiple audiences.
- Proven experience in media relations, issues management, executive or spokesperson communications, and integrated campaign delivery.
- Experience supporting government relations or advocacy, with a sound understanding of government processes, the political environment and how communications support influence.
- Experience supervising and developing staff, managing external vendors, and overseeing budgets and complex projects.
- Experience in health care, a member-based organization, a professional association, or the not-for-profit sector is an asset, as is experience working in or around government or media.
- Proficiency with digital publishing, email and social platforms, media monitoring and analytics, alongside Microsoft 365 and virtual meeting tools.
How to Apply
Ready to help shape what comes next? Submit your resume and a cover letter showing how your experience and ideas will strengthen the ADA’s voice to skossey@albertadentalassociation.ca. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.
Closing date: October 25, 2026.
