The national director of the NDP has been appointed deputy chief of staff in Alberta Premier Rachel Notley's office.

Anne McGrath will start Jan. 4. She joins Brian Topp, a former federal NDP leadership candidate, who is now chief of staff in Notley's office.

McGrath was chief of staff to late NDP leader Jack Layton. She helped the Alberta NDP in last spring's provincial election.

The news release did not state what McGrath's salary will be in her new role. Requests for that information were not answered by the premier's staff late Friday afternoon.

McGrath's predecessor as deputy chief of staff, Adrienne King, earned $175,000. King is now the chief of staff to Economic Development and Trade Minister Deron Bilous.