Manager, Communications

Position: Manager, Communications

Organization: Covenant Health

Location: Edmonton, Alberta

Work Arrangement: Full-time, permanent | On-site

Reporting to: Senior Corporate Officer, Marketing & Communications

About Covenant Health

Covenant is a community of organizations - Covenant Health, Covenant Care, Covenant Living, Covenant Family Health, and Covenant Foundation - working together to serve Albertans with compassion and dignity. The organization cares for people at every stage of life across 29 sites in 16 communities throughout the province, offering a range of services including primary and family health care, acute care, continuing care and independent living solutions, as well as palliative care, mental health services, and rural health services.

Rooted in Catholic tradition and strong relationships, Covenant walks alongside those it serves, honouring each person’s story, values, and needs. Learn more at CovenantHealth.ca.

Position Overview

The Manager leads a team of senior advisors, who act as communications business partners, and provide strategic advice and direction for the planning, delivery, and evaluation of integrated communications. This team serves as key advisors to executive and senior leaders on communications, crisis communications, public engagement, and media relations in support of Covenant’s mission and Strategic Plan. The Manager also provides leadership to advisors who support the senior advisors or work on less strategic and more operational priorities.

The Manager leads the Communications team in its work across all aspects of Covenant including Health, Care, Living, Family Health, and new ventures.

The Manager leads the vision, development, and implementation of comprehensive internal and external communications programs that strengthen and position Covenant’s mission, build stakeholder trust, advance its strategies, increase employee engagement and enhance reputation and public engagement.

The Manager ensures effective corporate communication strategies that support organizational priorities, including engagement, patient and resident care, change management, events, growth, and issues management. The position also leads a high‑performing communications team, ensuring integrated service delivery and continuous evaluation to meet strategic goals.

The Manager maintains strong relationships with internal and external communications partners, particularly government, health agencies, service providers, and consultants, to support coordinated and effective communications efforts. All programs and services are delivered in alignment with Covenant’s Mission, Values, and Ethical Guidelines.

Key Responsibilities Overview

Strategic & Organizational Leadership

• Leads the development, implementation, and evaluation of integrated communications strategies aligned with Covenant’s mission, vision, values, and strategic plan.
• Provides strategic communications leadership to support senior communications advisors and advisors as business partners in major organizational initiatives.
• Provides vision and foresight to the team in identifying and implementing emerging technologies and practices, identifying risks and opportunities.
• Establishes communication policies, performance targets, and metrics; evaluates departmental and Covenant-wide performance.
• Ensures communications strategies enhance Covenant’s provincial influence and growth goals.

Operational & Service Excellence

• Provides the vision and framework for high‑quality, systems-focused communication services, events, programs, and campaigns.
• Drives high-value impact, client and public engagement, and continuous improvement of communications initiatives.
• Builds a strong strategic culture and models the desired organizational and communication vision.
• Ensures effective internal communication channels, tools, and service frameworks.
• Supports leader communication competencies through coaching, education, and engagement strategies.

People, Partnerships & Change Leadership

• Builds and sustains a high‑performing, high-impact, and deeply driven communications team committed to excellence.
• Develops collaborative relationships with internal and external partners, influencing strategy through expert counsel.
• Leads change by initiating and supporting new practices, engaging stakeholders, and managing risks and impacts.
• Creates succession, mentorship, and growth opportunities for communications staff.

Resource, Issues & Risk Management

• Oversees operating and capital budgets, resource allocation, and expenditure management within the portfolio.
• Ensures equitable and strategic use of communications resources across the organization.
• Leads issues and crisis communications to protect trust, reputation, and public confidence.
• Provides timely strategic advice on communications, engagement, change, and issues management.

External Relations & Corporate Storytelling

• Leads an integrated storytelling and brand-building strategy, including digital content, media relations, publications, and annual reporting.
• Strengthens public awareness and trust through proactive external communications and engagement.
• Maintains strong relationships with communications leaders in health ministries and agencies, funders, and key stakeholders.
• Implements advocacy and ambassadorship initiatives that support Covenant’s mission.

Qualifications

Required Education & Years of Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, business administration, or related field.
• 10 years of progressive experience in a communications leadership role in a large organization of significant complexity and diversity.

Additional Required Demonstrated Competencies

• Experience advising executive/senior leaders.
• Generalist experience in all aspects of core communication services, with experience in integrated communications across platforms, including digital and print.
• Demonstrated ability to develop strong, integrated teams and to achieve team goals and deliver on strategic corporate objectives.
• Leadership skills, including demonstrated ability and comfort with decision-making responsibilities, managerial courage to address issues, mentoring, and the ability to inspire and build confidence in others.
• Demonstrated ability to set long‑range direction, anticipate emerging trends, guide change, and deliver high‑quality communications programs across a complex organization.
• Strong understanding of communications best practices, emerging trends, technologies, and their strategic application to advance organizational goals.
• Superior written, verbal, interpersonal, and consulting skills with the ability to build strong relationships and partnerships across government, public agencies, boards, and internal teams.
• Ability to manage diverse human, financial, and physical resources, including budgeting, operational planning, and monitoring performance.
• Skilled at managing multiple, competing priorities and navigating complex, fast-paced environments.
• Strong personal integrity, alignment with Covenant’s Mission, Values, and Ethical Guidelines, and dedication to quality, continuous improvement, and service excellence.
• Proven ability to foster collaboration across a large, diverse, and unionized environment and cultivate a culture of cooperation and shared purpose.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Business Administration, Communication or a related field.
• Professional designation from IABC or CPRS.
• Healthcare and/or public sector environment experience.

How to Apply

For consideration, please apply via the “apply now” button.

Additional Information

Covenant Health has retained Pender & Howe to lead the recruitment initiative for their Manager, Communications position.

Pender & Howe is a North American talent advisory firm specializing in leadership recruitment and consulting. We partner with organizations to build high-performing leadership teams, optimize board effectiveness, and support executive career transitions.

For more information, visit penderhowe.com

By submitting your application, you acknowledge and agree to the collection and use of your personal information in accordance with our Privacy Policy. You may also receive relevant updates from us and can opt out at any time.