Director of Public Affairs and Partnerships
Division Office
Where Passion Meets the Prairies Prairie Rose School Division believes rural schools serve as community hubs where everyone is a learner and people achieve more than they thought possible. Spanning over 29,000 square kilometers in South East Alberta, our division connects tight knit rural communities, innovative towns, and vibrant municipalities. We believe in "Prairie Rose Possibilities," where community passions, student interests, and localized education collide to create incredible futures. We are seeking a visionary, relationship-first leader to join us as our Director of Public Affairs and Partnerships. If you are a master collaborator, a strategic communicator, and someone who thrives on building bridges between education, industry, indigenous relations, government, and local municipalities, your next big chapter starts here. The Role As the Director of Public Affairs and Partnerships, you will be the ultimate ambassador for Prairie Rose Public Schools. You won’t just sit behind a desk in Dunmore; you will be out in our communities, telling our story, and forging the partnerships that drive our unique programming (examples include the South Alberta Flight Academy, “Try new Things” primary program, the Yuill School of Agriculture). The Director of Public Affairs and Partnerships is responsible for leading, developing, and executing comprehensive engagement strategies that enhance the profile, relationships, and partnership networks of Prairie Rose Public Schools; leading to successful grant acquisitions. This role serves as a key liaison between the school division, provincial government bodies, local municipal governments, industry stakeholders, indigenous relations, and the diverse communities across our vast geographic region. Key Responsibilities Be the Municipal Bridge: ● Cultivate deep, collaborative relationships with the diverse rural and urban municipalities we serve, ensuring our division is an active partner in community growth. ● Act as the primary point of contact and liaison between PRPS and the various municipal councils, MDs, and counties within the division’s boundaries. ● Attend municipal meetings and community forums to represent the interests of the school division and identify areas for joint community-school initiatives. ● Facilitate community consultation processes for division initiatives, ensuring diverse public voices (including rural, agricultural, and specialized learning communities) are heard and valued. Drive Government Relations: ● Navigate provincial and federal landscapes to advocate for PRPS, aligning division goals with provincial education initiatives and funding opportunities. ● Develop and maintain proactive relationships with Alberta Education, MLAs, and other provincial/federal government officials. ● Monitor provincial policy, legislative changes, and funding frameworks that impact rural education, providing strategic advice to Senior Leadership. ● Review and provide context for briefing notes, advocacy materials, and presentations for government stakeholders to champion PRPS programs and capital priorities. Forge Strategic Partnerships: ● Connect with local industries, community leaders, post-secondary institutions, to build experiential learning opportunities for our students. ● Identify, broker, and sustain partnerships with post-secondary institutions (e.g., Medicine Hat College), local businesses, agricultural sectors, and trade organizations to support student programming. ● Collaborate with school principals and division coordinators to align community resources with student-centered "Possibilities" projects and trades initiatives. ● Skillfully develop and submit grant applications towards a vast array of PRPS possibilities; including opportunities for fundraising and other fiscal ventures ● Champion the PRPS brand, managing public relations and partnerships. Who You Are ● A Natural Connector: You understand rural Alberta. You know that community engagement happens at council chambers, community halls, and local coffee shops just as much as it does in boardroom meetings. ● Politically Astute: You have a proven track record in government relations or public sector advocacy and know how to articulate a vision to stakeholders at all levels. ● A Strategic Thinker: You can take a 29,000-square-kilometer division and make it feel like one unified family through shared goals and seamless communication.
Qualifications
● Education: Training in Communications, Public Relations, Political Science, Public Administration, Business Administration, or a related field. ● Experience: Minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in community engagement, government relations, or public relations—ideally within an educational, municipal, or broader public sector context. ● Knowledge: Deep understanding of the Alberta political landscape, municipal governance, and the unique opportunities/challenges associated with rural school divisions. Key Competencies ● Interpersonal Savvy: Exceptional relational skills with the ability to build trust quickly with a wide variety of stakeholders, from provincial ministers to rural parents. ● Communication Excellence: Stellar written and verbal communication skills; a compelling storyteller and articulate presenter. ● Strategic Agility: Ability to see the big picture across a massive geographical jurisdiction and align localized community needs with overarching corporate goals. ● Mobility: A valid Alberta Class 5 Driver’s License and willingness to travel extensively throughout the division.
Terms of Employment
Location: PRPS Division Central Office, Dunmore, Alberta Position Type: Full-Time, Permanent Working Conditions: This position operates in a professional office environment in Dunmore, AB, but requires frequent travel to various communities within the Prairie Rose jurisdiction. Evening and/or weekend work will be periodically required to attend council meetings, community events, and board functions. What We Offer: ● A competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package. ● The chance to genuinely impact the future of rural education and community development. ● A supportive, innovative, and deeply passionate leadership team.
About Prairie Rose Public Schools:
Prairie Rose School Division is primarily located in the South-Eastern region of Alberta in the communities of: Bow Island, Cypress County, County of 40 Mile, Foremost, MD of Acadia Valley, Oyen, Redcliff and Special Areas, along with two schools in the City of Calgary. The Division consists of 18 public schools, 2 Outreach schools, 2 Alternative Program schools, and 18 Hutterite Colony schools and educates approximately 6500 students. Our Division office is located in Dunmore, Alberta, near the city of Medicine Hat.
Submission Details
Start date: August 26, 2026 Ready to cultivate possibilities with us? Apply today by sending a cover letter and resume detailing your experience that directly relates to this position, along with three professional references to: Mark Heinricks, Deputy Superintendent - PRPS markheinricks@prrd8.ca This position will remain open until a suitable candidate is found. Interview consideration will begin upon receipt of application. This position will require the successful candidate to present a valid Police Information/Criminal Record Check, including a Vulnerable Sector Search.