Location: Edmonton, Alberta
Salary: In accordance with the COPE 397 collective agreement (starting at $46.91 per hour)
About the Alberta Federation of Labour
The Alberta Federation of Labour (AFL) is Alberta's largest labour organization, representing workers across the province. We advocate for workers' rights, economic fairness, strong public services, and a more equitable society.
Our work is fast-paced, politically engaged, and often unpredictable. We are looking for an exceptional Executive Assistant who thrives in a demanding environment, exercises sound judgment, and brings a high level of professionalism, initiative, and organizational expertise to our leadership team.
The Opportunity
The AFL is seeking a highly skilled, experienced, and resourceful Executive Assistant to provide senior-level administrative and strategic support to our elected Officers and the Executive Director. This is not a traditional administrative position. Our Officers manage demanding schedules, competing priorities, sensitive relationships, and rapidly evolving political and organizational issues. The successful candidate must be able to anticipate needs, navigate complex situations, manage multiple priorities, and remain composed and effective under significant pressure.
We are looking for someone who is exceptionally organized, politically astute, discreet, and confident in their ability to support senior leaders in a dynamic, high-stakes environment.
The ideal candidate is a proactive problem-solver who can work independently, exercise discretion, and ensure that critical details are never overlooked.
Key Responsibilities
Executive Support and Coordination
- Provide high-level executive and administrative support to the AFL's elected Officers.
- Manage complex and frequently changing calendars, appointments, meetings, and travel arrangements.
- Anticipate scheduling conflicts, competing demands, and emerging priorities, taking initiative to identify solutions.
- Coordinate briefing materials, correspondence, meeting agendas, presentations, and follow-up activities.
- Act as a key point of contact between the Officers and affiliates, government representatives, community organizations, and other stakeholders.
- Ensure Officers are prepared for meetings, events, speaking engagements, and organizational commitments.
Prioritization and Operational Excellence
- Manage multiple competing deadlines in a high-volume, high-pressure environment.
- Exercise independent judgment to assess urgency, establish priorities, and respond to emerging issues.
- Track commitments, action items, and outstanding matters to ensure timely follow-through.
- Identify opportunities to improve administrative processes, coordination, and executive workflow.
- Respond effectively to unexpected developments, last-minute changes, and time-sensitive requests.
- Maintain a high standard of accuracy, attention to detail, and accountability.
Communication and Relationship Management
- Draft, edit and coordinate professional correspondence, and other executive communications.
- Communicate confidently and diplomatically with individuals at all levels, including senior labour leaders, elected officials, and external stakeholders.
- Handle confidential, politically sensitive, and complex information with the highest degree of discretion.
- Build and maintain strong working relationships across the organization and broader labour movement.
- Navigate challenging interpersonal situations with professionalism, tact, and sound judgment.
Events, Meetings, and Special Projects
- Support the planning and coordination of executive meetings, conventions, conferences, campaigns, and other major organizational activities.
- Coordinate logistics, documentation, and follow-up for high-level meetings and events.
- Provide administrative and project coordination support for organizational priorities and special initiatives.
- Collaborate with AFL staff to ensure effective communication and coordination across departments.
Qualifications and Experience
Required Qualifications
- Significant experience providing executive-level administrative support, preferably to senior executives, elected officials, or organizational leadership.
- Exceptional organizational skills and demonstrated ability to manage complex, competing priorities.
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, and the ability to quickly learn new technology.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including strong drafting, editing, and proofreading abilities.
- Demonstrated experience managing confidential and sensitive information.
- Strong independent judgment, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
- Proven ability to work effectively under pressure while maintaining professionalism and attention to detail.
- A high degree of emotional intelligence, interpersonal awareness, and diplomacy.
- Demonstrated ability to take initiative, anticipate needs, and work with minimal supervision.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience working in a labour union, political organization, non-profit, government, or advocacy environment.
- Familiarity with Alberta's labour movement and political landscape.
- Experience supporting multiple senior leaders with competing priorities.
- Experience coordinating complex events, meetings, travel, and special projects.
- Formal education in business administration, office administration, communications, or a related discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
What Success Looks Like
The successful candidate will be someone who:
- Stays composed under pressure: Maintains focus, professionalism, and sound judgment when circumstances are demanding, priorities change, or timelines are compressed.
- Anticipates rather than reacts: Thinks several steps ahead, identifies potential problems, and takes initiative before issues escalate.
- Exercises exceptional discretion: Understands the importance of confidentiality, political sensitivity, and professional boundaries.
- Can manage complexity: Keeps multiple schedules, projects, relationships, and deadlines organized without losing sight of critical details.
- Communicates with confidence and diplomacy: Navigates difficult conversations, manages expectations, and represents the organization professionally.
- Takes ownership: Follows through on commitments, solves problems independently, and can be relied upon to deliver.
- Is adaptable and resilient: Thrives in an environment where no two days are the same and organizational priorities can shift quickly.
- Works collaboratively: Builds strong relationships and contributes to a respectful, supportive, and effective workplace.
Working Environment
The AFL operates in a dynamic and politically engaged environment where priorities can change quickly and the work is often time-sensitive. This position requires a high level of confidentiality, flexibility, independent judgment, and the ability to manage demanding workloads. The Executive Assistant must be comfortable supporting senior leaders whose schedules and responsibilities extend beyond conventional office activities.
While regular working hours will form the foundation of the position, occasional flexibility outside standard business hours may be required to support urgent organizational matters, evening events, travel, and other executive commitments, in accordance with the applicable collective agreement.
The AFL is committed to maintaining a respectful, collaborative, and supportive workplace, including during periods of significant organizational activity.
Why Join the AFL?
This is an opportunity to play a critical role in supporting Alberta's labour movement and the leaders working to advance the rights and interests of working people.
The successful candidate will join a dedicated team doing meaningful, challenging, and impactful work. This position offers the opportunity to contribute directly to important organizational initiatives, build relationships with leaders across the province, and support work that makes a difference for Alberta workers.
How to Apply
Interested candidates are invited to submit a resume and cover letter outlining their relevant experience and explaining why they are well suited to this demanding executive support role.
Application Deadline: November 15, 2026
Submit Applications To: hr@afl.org
The Alberta Federation of Labour is an equal opportunity employer committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion. We encourage applications from qualified individuals from diverse backgrounds and experiences.
