NDP director Anne McGrath to become Notley's deputy chief of staff

OTTAWA - The national director of the federal NDP is set to become deputy chief of staff to Alberta Premier Rachel Notley in January.

Anne McGrath has told NDP Leader Tom Mulcair she will remain in her current position until the end of the year.

McGrath's job change means she will join forces again with Brian Topp, Notley's current chief of staff.

Topp ran for the leadership of the federal NDP in 2012, but finished second to Mulcair.

Topp and McGrath were also members of the late Jack Layton's inner circle.

McGrath says she is looking forward to working with Notley, whom she has known for two decades.