Senior External Relations Advisor

Trans Mountain Corporation operates Canada’s only pipeline system transporting oil products to the West Coast. We deliver approximately 890,000 barrels of petroleum products each day through a dual pipeline system of more than 1,150 kilometres of pipeline in Alberta, British Columbia and Washington state.

Trans Mountain also operates a state-of-the-art loading facility, Westridge Marine Terminal, with three berths providing tidewater access to global markets.  

As a federal Crown corporation, Trans Mountain continues to build on more than 70 years of experience delivering operational and safety excellence through our crude oil pipeline system. 

With our expanded pipeline system now in place, Trans Mountain provides enhanced direct access for Canadian crude oil to world markets. The expansion realizes a world-class system for oil transport, developed to Canada’s high standards within one of the most stringent regulatory regimes in the world, creating long-term economic benefits, enhanced marine protection, enhanced safety and emergency management capabilities, and enhanced skilled-worker capacity building in communities and Indigenous groups.

Our Core Values

Trans Mountain’s core values – Safety, Integrity, Respect and Excellence – guide our every step. Each obstacle we’ve overcome or success we’ve experienced has been the result of a shared commitment to living these values every day. Together, we’re focused on doing the right thing for each other and our communities.

As Senior Advisor, External Relations with Trans Mountain, you’ll have the opportunity to work with a dynamic and fast-paced group of professionals.  This position will be based in our Burnaby office location.

Reporting to the Team Lead, External Relations, the Senior Advisor, External Relations leads all engagement and communications related to base business and capital/major projects along the pipeline corridor between Edmonton, Alberta and the BC Interior.  This role will lead deliverables identified by the External Relations Team, including fulfilling regulatory filing needs and maintaining reputation.   Additionally, the role will be responsible for maintaining relationships with key stakeholders; providing information and insights to various teams in consideration of stakeholders’ interests; and contributing to engagement reporting requirements.

The position will work closely with a multi-discipline team in contributing to and executing strategies for engaging and communicating primarily with community leaders, industry, local government, and interest groups.  Activities could include all aspects related to conducting meetings, workshops, open houses, regulatory reporting, speaking opportunities and events; managing issues and inquiries; identifying local stakeholders and identifying and executing engagement activities appropriate to the local context.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead Stakeholder Engagement work for base business and capital/major projects within the Alberta/BC Interior region to advance corporate objectives through strategic business relationships with stakeholders. Accountable for the preparation and implementation of communication and engagement plans and strategies to advance goals, objectives and tactics specific to the region.
• Monitors, anticipates and manages issues of concern, including those from external stakeholders such as regulatory agencies, communities and local governments. Liaises with other Operations functions as needed to support organizational objectives. Liaises internally to accommodate community enquiries that may result from base business or capital/major project activities and related communications.
• Develops communication products for external channels including websites and social media. Collaborates with internal and external communications, and Government Relations teams, to ensure consistency in overall tone/key messages and distribution of communication materials as well as consistency in approach and deliverables. 

• Provide strategic input to regulatory filings, including any necessary engagement, to comply with regulatory requirements and expectations.
• Responsible for implementation and management of assigned projects in accordance with agreed specifications, budgets and targets.
• Participates as a Senior representative as part of the Information Office function during crises or incidents, actively contributing to the Incident Command System structure. Completes training and exercises for such events as required.
• Mentors other team members and educates other internal departments on effective engagement practices and communications approaches.

Qualifications and Professional Experience

• University degree in Communications, Engagement or Arts, or a related field.
• Minimum 10 years of professional experience.
• Membership or designation with IABC, CPRS IAPP or equivalent.
• Expertise in public affairs, stakeholder engagement, community relations, and/or communications.
• Experience in the oil and gas sector is an asset.
• Proven experience with regulatory and permitting agencies.
• Proficiency in event management.
• Specialized Training
  • Conflict resolution
  • Public Affairs training
  • Facilitation
  • Media relations training
  • ICS 100, JIC training, crisis communications training
• Must possess a Class 5 driver's license.
• Strong organizational, project and time management skills.
• Exceptional abilities in stakeholder engagement, information gathering, and collaboration, with a proven track record of working effectively with cross-functional teams and stakeholders.
• Flexible and adaptable to changing project requirements and environments.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Thrives under pressure, adept at managing strict deadlines and shifting priorities.
• Detail-oriented with a critical focus on accuracy; efficient in a fast-paced, agile, dynamic, and multi-tasking environment.

Other Requirements and Information

• Will need to provide support outside of regular business hours and/or on the weekend.
• Travel to work sites is required (15- 20%).

We Build Careers and Pipelines That Last

Our story is about determination, resourcefulness and resilience. It’s about charting our own course, finding innovative solutions to challenging problems and doing the right thing. It was true when Trans Mountain became a company in 1951 and it’s just as true today. We welcome new members to our team that embrace the qualities in our story, that thrive on the new path and directions we take.  Our culture is one of care and taking our responsibilities seriously. If you would like to contribute to our culture, then join our journey.

A Rewarding Opportunity

We offer:

• Valuable experience providing opportunity for professional development and career advancement;
• An opportunity to engage with and learn from some of the most talented and experienced people in the business;
• Competitive compensation;
• Comprehensive benefits programs including flexible benefits, pension and savings plans;
• A place to share a sense of purpose and build relationships;
• Meaningful work that makes a difference;
• An opportunity within the Canadian energy industry.

We value:

• The health, safety and wellness of everyone working in our company;
• Meaningful participation from Indigenous and local communities;
• The commitment and resilience of our people;
• Collaboration and achieving success together. 

In keeping with Trans Mountain’s commitment to maximize benefits for communities, priority will be given to qualified candidates from Indigenous, local and regional communities along the Trans Mountain pipeline corridor.

In Alberta, the pipeline system spans the traditional territories of Treaty 6, 7 and 8, and the Métis Nation of Alberta (Zone 4).

In British Columbia, the system crosses the traditional territories of numerous First Nations that are affiliated with the Secwepemc, Dakelh (Carrier), Nlaka'pamux, Syilx/Okanagan, Interior and Coast Salish, Stó:lo, as well as the Métis.

Trans Mountain also operates through 15 First Nation Reserves located within the region spanning the BC interior through Fraser Valley.

Our Commitment to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility (IDEA)

Trans Mountain is committed to fostering inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility.  The diverse viewpoints and cultural knowledge that our employees bring to work enrich our organization’s collective cultural understanding, which is reflected in the work we do every day.  We strive to create an environment that is free of barriers to promote full participation in the workplace. Trans Mountain welcomes new team members from traditionally underrepresented groups, including but not limited to women, Indigenous Peoples, members of racialized groups, persons with disabilities and members of the 2SLGBTQI+ community.