Communications Advisor

Description:

Specific Accountabilities:

Support the media relations function by acting as a primary Company spokesperson on operational and sensitive issues. Research issues to identify appropriate approaches, strategies and responses. Develop key messages and press releases and identifies opportunities for positive media profile and coordinate team members for message consistency.

Plan, develop and implement internal and external communications plans and strategies in support of corporately stated objectives and to address stakeholder, customer and employee needs. Write press releases, articles, talking points, speaking notes, advertisements in support of Company initiatives. Coach executive and senior spokespeople on key messages, organize interviews, inform external media and stakeholders on background, and conduct follow-up. Monitor the success of existing programs through feedback, surveys and continued alertness.

Provide operational support to myriad corporate communications activities, including media events, speeches, employee events, trade shows and stakeholder meetings.

Assist the Manager in coordinating special employee and media events at the site.

Participate in the department’s rotating on-call schedule, which involves working evenings and weekends as part of a team to manage after-hours communications requirements during storm events causing power outages or other urgent situations.

Confer with field or other Company personnel involved in related or shared projects/programs, to discuss and solve problems of mutual concern.

Act as a resource and work with various media relations contacts regarding continuing communications at and on behalf of the Company.

Keep abreast of and maintain a general knowledge and information data bank on current and developing energy sources, electricity, the Company's role, objectives and policies and other relevant topics.

Support employee communication efforts through the development and implementation of internal communication plans and strategies that improve employee engagement. Organize and participate in employee events including webcasts, meetings, campaigns and other events.

Play a key role in the development and oversight of the social media strategy and oversee the execution of proactive and reactive tactics on company social media accounts, organizing original content, fielding questions/inquiries from customers/stakeholders, ensuring cross-platform consistency on position statements, escalating emerging issues, and serve as final approver of post content. Monitor and measure the success of all social platforms.

Act as the media contact in emergency situations; be responsible for the operation of the local Information Centre set up in the local municipality (i.e., prepare news bulletins on the emergency situation for release to media).

Perform other duties as required.

Selection Criteria

Education:

Requires knowledge of public relations, journalism, the social sciences, communication skills and English to assist in the planning and development of Corporate relations communications programs, to provide effective oral or written responses to the media (press releases), local governments, etc. on various Company matters.

This knowledge is considered to be normally acquired either through the successful completion of a four year university education in an appropriate field or by having the equivalent level of education.

A post-graduate program in communications or journalism would be considered an asset.