Associate Director, Communications

Highlights of the job At EPCOR, reliable electricity powers homes, businesses and essential services across Edmonton. Behind that work is a team of communications and public engagement professionals who help customers, employees, elected officials, stakeholders and communities understand what we do, why it matters, and how it impacts them. We're looking for a full-time permanent Associate Director, Communications (Electricity) to lead the communications team that supports EPCOR's electricity utility in Edmonton, AB. Reporting to the Senior Director, Communications and Public Engagement (CPE), you'll provide strategic communications leadership to the Electricity business unit and serve as a trusted advisor to its executive leadership team. You'll lead a team responsible for Electricity’s external and employee communications, while collaborating with CPE teams and others across the organization to maintain an enterprise perspective and achieve company-wide objectives. This role is ideal for a collaborative leader who enjoys connecting business strategy with meaningful communications, developing high-performing teams, and helping organizations navigate complex operational and regulatory environments. We welcome applications from internal and external candidates. What you'd be responsible for
- Leading, coaching, and developing a high-performing team of communications professionals while fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, curiosity, and continuous improvement.
- Setting team priorities, providing ongoing coaching and feedback, and supporting employee growth and development.
- Developing and delivering strategic communication plans that support the Electricity business unit's goals while aligning with EPCOR's corporate priorities and reputation.
- Serving as the primary communications advisor to the Electricity executive leadership team, providing strategic counsel on business initiatives, operational matters, emerging risks, and reputation management.
- Partnering with leaders across EPCOR to ensure communications activities are coordinated, effective, and focused on achieving business outcomes.
- Leading communications planning and execution for operational priorities, customer impacts, service disruptions, capital and operational projects, regulatory activities, and other key business initiatives.
- Ensuring customers receive timely, accurate, and meaningful information while supporting continuous improvements to the customer experience.
- Overseeing communications related to customer concerns and escalations, identifying trends and opportunities to enhance operations and service delivery.
- Leading communications support during operational issues, emergencies, and other high-profile situations, including crisis communications, emergency response, and business continuity activities.
- Providing strategic communications support for regulatory filings, reporting requirements, and stakeholder engagement activities within a highly regulated environment.
- Supporting relationships with customers, regulators, elected officials, industry partners, Indigenous communities, and other key stakeholders.
- Collaborating with teams across Communications and Public Engagement, Electricity Operations, Regulatory, Government Relations, Indigenous Relations, Sustainability, and other business areas to advance enterprise objectives and influence public policy. What's required to be successful
- A degree in Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, Journalism, Business, or a related field.
- A degree in another discipline combined with significant relevant experience will also be considered.
- A graduate degree in communications, business administration or public policy would be considered an asset.
- 10+ years of progressively responsible communications, public engagement and/or marketing experience.
- Experience developing and executing strategic communications programs for internal and external audiences.
- Experience leading teams and developing talent in complex, collaborative organizations.
- Experience advising senior leaders and executives on communications, reputation and stakeholder matters.
- Experience with issues management, operational communications and emergency response communications.
- Experience managing budgets, planning processes, performance reporting and strategy development.
- An understanding of utility operations, government policy, regulatory environments or other highly regulated sectors would be considered an asset. As the successful candidate, you bring strong strategic planning and communication skills and can translate complex information into messages that resonate with different audiences. You're a collaborative leader who excels at coaching, developing, and empowering teams while maintaining an enterprise-wide perspective. You're a team player. Your experience includes developing communications strategies that effectively support customers,