Director, Corporate Communications

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.

Reporting to the VP, Communications, Government & External Affairs, the Director, Corporate Communications will have the opportunity to work with a progressive and fast-paced group of stakeholder engagement and communications professionals. 

The Director, Corporate Communications is a key strategic leader in the communications department.  You will be responsible to develop, implement, and drive internal and external communications and strategies, programs and key initiatives to enhance and protect the company’s brand and reputation in alignment with corporate goals and objectives.

This role is classified as “Office First” under the company’s Where We Work policy, and the successful incumbent will work full-time out of the company’s Calgary office. 

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the strategic direction of the corporate communications function, including the development of a corporate communications strategy in alignment with Trans Mountain’s business objectives and strategy.
• Oversee executive media training, prepare corporate presentations, write speeches, oversee the Disclosure Committee Process for external communications, manage corporate reporting communications and ensure all internal and external communications channels are up to date and align to brand standards.
• Provide direction and manage the Corporate Communications staff who are responsible for strategic communications including internal communications, brand management, issues management, communications services and media relations. Ensure team members have clear goals and development plans and receive regular coaching and professional training as required.
• Work with senior leadership to determine corporate communications requirements are based on the priorities of the organization on a yearly basis. Ensure that internal and external communications underpin the Corporate Strategy and Plan and minimize misinformation and opposition to corporate objectives and wherever possible and generate and cultivate external third-party validators and advocates.
• Develop and manage the budget process for all of the Trans Mountain corporate communications expenditures and assets.
• Establish and guide a stable infrastructure and corporate communications control environment by managing the flow of issues, projects and problems, and maintaining close liaison and coordination with internal business units and external entities. Identify and recommend solutions, which are consistent with the business priorities and corporate standards, and which balance the current and future needs of the company.

Qualification and Professional Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Journalism, Communications or related field.
• Minimum 10 years in a senior role working with public, government and media relations, communication, public affairs, or related fields.
• Proven experience working with CEOs and other executives is an asset.
• Extensive knowledge of the oil and gas pipeline industry and significant experience in public affairs.
• Demonstrated ability to be a senior leader and polished coach, overseeing employees at various levels of professional experience.

• Strong organizational, time management, and leadership/people management skills with experience managing multiple, diverse projects and tight deadlines autonomously, while maintaining high-quality work across the team.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; with experience creating and delivering impactful communication plans and content for a range of online and offline internal and external communications channels.
• Strong interpersonal skills and an ability to navigate and facilitate difficult conversations effectively.

• Ability to attend to detail and work efficiently in a high-paced, multi-task environment.
• Extremely responsive and able to work in constantly changing circumstances, comfortable with uncertainty.
• Adherence to professional communications standards.
• Capable of delivering high volumes of work under challenging circumstances.

Other requirements and Information

• Up to 20% travel to various site locations may be required.
• May need to provide support outside of regular business hours and/or on the weekend.

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.