Communications Advisor

Overview of Position

Civic Service Union 52 (CSU 52) is seeking an experienced Communications Advisor to support and strengthen the Union’s internal and external communications functions. This is a newly established, ongoing position that plays a central role in how CSU 52 connects with its membership, represents itself publicly, and builds trust across all audiences.

Working independently and collaboratively with the Executive Director, elected leadership, union staff, and committees, the Communications Advisor leads the development, coordination, and delivery of clear, timely, and engaging communications. The role requires a high degree of initiative, sound judgment, and strong understanding of union governance, bargaining cycles, campaigns, and advocacy. Experience working in or alongside the labour movement is essential.

The Communications Advisor is responsible for day-to-day communications support as well as long-term initiatives to modernize CSU 52’s communications systems, digital presence, and public voice. The successful candidate will build on the Union’s existing communications materials while establishing new processes, standards, and functions.

Key Responsibilities

The Communications Advisor is responsible for developing and implementing internal and external communications materials that support CSU 52’s objectives and priorities. The role provides ongoing strategic communications advice to union leadership and staff. It supports the development and delivery of regular member communications, including newsletters, reports, presentations, and updates, while working closely with organizing and education staff to advance bargaining education, campaigns, and member engagement initiatives. The Advisor maintains and updates key internal communications tools such as the intranet, events calendar, and member surveys, and works across the organization to strengthen coordination, consistency, and efficiency in communications.

In addition, the Communications Advisor manages CSU 52’s social media presence through content planning, posting, monitoring, and engagement, while leading the development of an updated social media strategy. The position ensures that CSU 52’s brand standards are consistently applied to all digital communications, advertisements, and online content, and supports the modernization of communication channels by monitoring emerging tools and trends. The Advisor also provides communications support for union events, campaigns, and initiatives, including planning, promotion, and post event communications, and assists with event coordination and onsite support when required. Longterm responsibilities include leading the development and implementation of member surveys to support the Union’s strategic direction.

The Candidate

The ideal candidate will hold a postsecondary diploma or degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Marketing, or a related field, or possess an equivalent combination of education and experience. They bring several years of experience developing and delivering internal and external communications, ideally within a union, public sector, nonprofit, or advocacy-based environment. The candidate will have demonstrated experience leading social media strategy and content development, along with practical experience using tools such as Canva to produce digital assets aligned with brand standards. They have also supported senior leaders or boards through message development and issues management and have contributed to long-term communications projects.

The successful candidate demonstrates strong knowledge of the labour relations environment and the broader labour movement, as well as the complexities of politically and publicly accountable environments where communications must balance multiple audiences and sensitivities. They have a clear understanding of union governance, bargaining cycles, campaigns, and advocacy, and are familiar with the local political environment. Knowledge of the role internal communications plays in supporting trust, participation, and transparency is essential, as is a strong grasp of digital communications platforms, social media tools, content management systems, and brand application.

The Communications Advisor must possess strong writing and editing skills, with the ability to adapt tone and format for diverse audiences. They can distill key messages from complex information and maintain exceptional attention to detail. The candidate demonstrates the ability to translate technical or complex information into clear, accessible messaging and to manage competing priorities and deadlines. They are comfortable working collaboratively in an advisory capacity, providing timely and constructive feedback, and they bring creativity and initiative to their work. Additional requirements include a willingness to work occasional irregular hours to support meetings, events, or urgent communication needs, the ability to attend meetings and events throughout Edmonton, and successful completion of CSU 52’s security screening requirements.

The Organization:

CSU 52 is a multi-employer Union providing service to an administrative, technical, and professional membership in 6 bargaining units: The City of Edmonton, EPCOR, Capital Power, The Edmonton Public Library, Valleyview Library, and TELUS World of Science – Edmonton. Together, CSU 52 and the Union 52 Benevolent Society manage multi-million-dollar budgets, investments, reserve funds, member programs, and a union-owned building. Our organization operates within an interest-based environment and prides itself on representing our members in a highly professional and collaborative manner.

Hours of Work & Compensation

The salary range for the Communications Advisor will be $81,900 to $91,000, commensurate with qualifications and experience. This is an out-of-scope (non-union) position.

The normal hours of work are 7.5 hours per day, Monday to Friday, within the CSU 52 office hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m (a Compressed Hours of Work program is in effect). Occasional extended hours may be required to support meetings, events, or urgent communication needs.

Apply in confidence prior to 4:30 p.m. on Friday March 20, 2026: 

Maihzy Patel, Executive Director
Civic Service Union 52
10212 – 112 Street NW
Edmonton, AB  T5K 1M4

Email: maihzy.patel@csu52.org

No telephone calls accepted. While we thank all applicants for their interest, only those selected for interviews will be contacted.