COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR – Yellowknife
Permanent position
The Arctic Energy Alliance (AEA) is a not-for-profit organization, established in 1997 to help communities, consumers, producers, regulators and policy makers to work together to reduce the costs of environmental impacts of energy and utility services in the Northwest Territories (NWT). The AEA is supported by various territorial departments and agencies and does fee for service work in the private sector. The AEA is currently recruiting a Communications Coordinator.
Located in Yellowknife but will also involve travel to other NWT communities.
PURPOSE OF THE POSITION
The AEA is a non-profit organization whose mission is:
“To lead and facilitate the integration of efficient, renewable and sustainable energy practices in the NWT.”
Reporting to the Executive Director and working together with the AEA team, The Communications Coordinator is an integral part of the AEA team and provides communications advice, planning and media relations support to all programs and projects delivered by AEA.
Strategically, the Communications Coordinator prepares and implements AEA’s communication plans and provides communications advice to the Executive Director and Team Leaders. Operationally, the Communications Coordinator helps the Executive Director and AEA staff prepare and deliver messaging in a consistent professional way, in accordance with AEA policies and guidelines and aligned with the organization’s Vision, Mission and Values.
Relationally, the Communications Coordinator primarily leads AEA’s communications functions and collaborates frequently with the Department of Infrastructure communications group.
As AEA’s sole communications professional the Communications Coordinator will work on several projects at the same time and must be able to set priorities and manage multiple demands effectively.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Staff and sub-contractors
The Communications Coordinator will be responsible for:
• Directing and overseeing the work of consultants and sub-contractors needed for communications projects.
The Communications Coordinator is not responsible for:
• Supervising other AEA staff. - Managing budgets and programs
The Communications Coordinator will be responsible for:
• Supporting the AEA team in writing proposals and applications for funding; and
• Supporting the AEA team in reporting to clients and funders. - Provide advice to the Executive Director, program leads and staff of AEA to help them to be effective communicators and representatives of AEA.
- Provide media relations advice and support to the Executive Director, Team Leaders and staff to ensure external communications to the media and the public is appropriate, accurate and consistent.
The Communications Coordinator will:
• Respond to media inquiries by providing appropriate information and referrals to the Executive Director or alternate spokespersons;
• Recommend to the Executive Director, or alternate spokesperson, effective strategies and techniques for communicating consistent and appropriate messages;
• Develop key messages to guide media interactions;
• Prepare news releases, media advisories, advertisements and other public communications in consultation with the program leads and Executive Director; and
• Liaise with communications staff in government agencies, ministries, and similar organizations to prepare joint communications. - Provide issues management advice and support to the Executive Director, Team Leaders and staff.
- Prepare and help put in place communications standards, procedures and guidelines.
The Communications Coordinator will:
• Develop and implement guidelines and standards for communications design, style and plain language consistent with AEA’s needs. This includes all forms of communication with AEA’s clients and the public such as reports, letters, PowerPoint presentations, publications, broadcast and electronic communications and the AEA website. It does not include email. - Manage the external communications of AEA programs and the AEA itself including the development, implementation and evaluation of communications strategies, plans and campaigns.
The Communications Coordinator will:
• Meet with the Executive Director and Team Leaders regularly to monitor and adaptively manage AEA communications needs, goals and priorities;
• Prepare an annual communication strategy for approval by the Executive Director. Review the strategy quarterly and update and revise as needed to respond to changing internal and external dynamics;
• Develop communication plans to guide individual communication initiatives linked to AEA programs and for the AEA;
• Work with other AEA staff and outside contractors to coordinate and carry out communications plans;
• Manage the communications portfolio including such areas as the production of materials, media costs, own time and time of others on projects within the budgets allocated for projects and contribution agreements;
• Coordinate the design of and production of print, electronic and other communications products including the AEA website, and the AEA annual report;
• Liaise with external contractors as necessary to produce print, electronic and other communication products;
• Manage the AEA’s inventory of publications and educational displays including the public displays in the AEA reception area;
• Develop communication and messaging linkages between programs the AEA delivers to maximize the effectiveness of program delivery and ensure consistency with the Alliance’s overall objectives;
• Help with coordinating the design, production and delivery of community events;
• Review the effectiveness of AEA communications on an ongoing basis, identifying gaps and recommending the changes to the Executive Director as warranted;
• Provide consistent outreach communication to all sectors of NWT society using old and new methods/technologies – newsletters, email, mail outs, radio and television advertisements, phone calls, posters, Facebook, Instagram and any other social media platforms. - Manage internal AEA communications as needed.
- Additional activities that may be assigned by the Executive Director.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
The following are required qualifications:
- Educational qualifications typically acquired through a college or university degree in specialized communications disciplines plus five years related experience in the communications field, with demonstrated competency in public relations, strategic communications planning, and research techniques and processes;
- Demonstrated proficiency in Office software including Word, PowerPoint, Outlook and Excel;
- Superior ability to communicate effectively in “plain language” English both orally and in writing;
- Demonstrated writing/editing skills with strong attention to detail and high degree of accuracy;
- Demonstrated experience developing and carrying out communications strategies and plans;
- Demonstrated experience in media relations;
- Demonstrated experience in developing and managing communications standards, procedures and guidelines;
- Demonstrated experience managing external communications programs including:
- Production of print materials,
- Production of electronic promotional materials, and
- Event co-ordination.
- The ability to work with the public and co-workers in a respectful and professional manner;
- The ability to assume responsibility without direct supervision, make decisions, exercise initiative and judgment, prioritize work assignments, manage time and meet deadlines and budgetary constraints while working within a team environment;
- Ability to think and analyze critically and recommend appropriate action;
- Demonstrated proficiency in website management and development.
The following are preferred qualifications:
- A strong personal interest in energy and climate change issues;
- Experience working with the people, communities, governments and cultures of the NWT;
- Knowledge of northern communications media and audiences;
- Knowledge of the NWT political and business environment; and
- Ability to speak, write or understand any of the NWT’s official languages in addition to English.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Most of the work happens on computer and on the telephone, but there is ample opportunity for the Communications Coordinator to move around the office. Most of the time is spent in Yellowknife, with occasional travel to other NWT communities and weekend work.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Limited physical effort required for this position.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
There are no significant adverse environmental conditions that exist in this position.
SENSORY DEMANDS
Considerable need for attention to detail when editing, proofreading or drafting public information materials. The Communications Coordinator is involved in these activities regularly (several times per week), up to 2–3 hours at a time.
MENTAL DEMANDS
The Communications Coordinator is required to provide advice and services to the Executive Director and other staff who have a common goal and shared objectives. Must be able to deal with politically sensitive issues, tight deadlines and conflicting interests.
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The AEA offers a competitive salary that is comparable to the industry median for the NWT. We also offer an attractive benefits package that includes a defined contribution registered pension plan, a group insurance plan, Northern Allowance and annual professional development opportunities.
**AEA OPERATES ON A 4-DAY WORK WEEK**
If you would like to know more about the position, salary, and benefits, call 920-3333 or
1-877-755-5855 (toll-free).
Applicants must currently be residents of Canada.
COMPETITION CLOSING DATE: FRIDAY, JULY 31st ,2026
To apply, please submit resume and cover letter by email to:
Arctic Energy Alliance
#101–5102 51 St., Yellowknife, NT X1A 1S7
Jennifer Wicks, Human Resources, Jennifer.Wicks@aea.nt.ca
We thank all applicants that apply, but only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.