Senior Advisor, Communications

Highlights of the job

Are you a creative strategist who delivers communications solutions that drive business results and elevate brand value? If you excel at building relationships and find fulfillment in seeing your work make a meaningful impact in your community, this could be your next opportunity.

We're hiring a temporary, full-time Senior Advisor, Communications to join EPCOR's Communications & Public Engagement team. Based at our Rossdale location in Edmonton, AB, this role will support our Water Services business unit, helping to showcase the essential work we do to hydrate our customers and keep our communities safe.

Please note: We are currently accepting applications from both internal EPCOR employees and external candidates. Internal applicants are encouraged to apply using their email address to ensure proper consideration of internal seniority.

About the Role

Focused on external communications, this position requires:

• A strategic thinker who creates and executes communications strategies that reflect a continuous improvement mindset, clearly connect to business objectives and enhance our organization's reputation.
• A strong writer who creates content for use across multiple channels that informs and resonates and whose recommendations suit the audiences we want to reach; and
• A collaborator who can align the goals and contributions of other teams and partners to arrive at the desired result.

What you'd be responsible for

In the Senior Advisor, Communications role, you are accountable to the Manager, Communications and will have the following key accountabilities:

• Developing and leading the execution of communication strategies for business priorities and initiatives, calling on skills in the following areas: client consultation, writing, editing, marketing, budgeting and evaluation.
• Creating and implementing plans to educate the public about the water utility and promote initiatives on topics such as safety.
• Bringing stories to life through engaging multimedia content that powers campaigns, drives seasonal promotions, and supports ongoing operational goals.
• Building impactful activation and event strategies that elevate our profile and help meet objectives. This occasionally requires representing EPCOR in the community.
• Advancing recommendations that demonstrate how communications can directly support operational objectives.
• Writing project briefs and coordinating design projects, while consistently applying EPCOR's brand voice and standards.
• Managing relationships with external partners, vendors and contractors, such as community organizations, event management companies, consultants and research firms.
• Acting as an on-call, after-hours media contact on a rotating basis with other senior communicators.  
• Participating in responses where communications support is required for emerging issues, incidents or crises.
• Demonstrating a high-performance, high-discipline, safe, accountable and easy-to-do-business-with manner of working.

What's required to be successful

• Bachelor's degree with preference to an education in Public Relations, Communications or Marketing from an accredited post-secondary institution. Accreditation in these fields is an asset.
• 4–6 years' experience in delivering strategic, measurable campaigns and communications across a range of channels, including digital/social media.
• Experience in campaign development, particularly in utility and operational environments.
• Proven project management and communication planning skills, including a high degree of comfort in a fast-paced environment where priorities can shift.
• Experience in media relations, particularly in developing proactive strategies.
• Excellent research, writing and editing skills across print and digital channels.
• Strong collaboration and relationship building skills with the ability to work with employees at all levels of the organization to recommend appropriate communications channels and messaging.
• Ability to envision the big picture, linking business goals/priorities and company positions to their work.
• Understanding of the utility industry and regulated businesses are assets.
• Experience working with Microsoft Office Suite applications, SharePoint, social media and familiarity with video editing and web analytics programs.

Other important facts about this job

On Team EPCOR, we believe that acknowledging the unique needs, perspectives and potential of all our team members makes this a great place to work. As diverse individuals, most of us work differently – we have varying needs when it comes to how we work best, the level of flexibility we require and how we communicate and collaborate with those around us. The Where We Work Program allows us to define a future of work that is more flexible, inclusive and rewarding – empowering you to work in a way that fits both your needs and the needs of your team. If the successful candidate is interested, they may have the option to participate in the hybrid Where We Work program if they meet the eligibility requirements.

Jurisdiction: CSU52

Class: P2

Wage: Starting at $50.95 per hour

• Final wage and step will be determined at the time of selection.

Hours of work: 80 hours biweekly, Monday to Friday

Learn more about Working at EPCOR

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Please note the following information:

• A requirement of working for EPCOR is that you are at least 18 years of age, successfully attained a high school diploma (GED, or equivalent level of secondary education) and legally entitled to work in Canada. (A copy of a valid work permit may be required.)
• If you are considered for the position, clearance on all applicable background checks (which may include criminal, identity, educational, and/or credit) and professional reference checks is required. Some EPCOR positions require an enhanced level of background assessment, which is dictated by law. These positions require advanced criminal record checks that must also be conducted from time to time after commencement of employment.
• A technical/practical assessment may be administered during the selection process and this exercise will be used as a part of the selection criterion.
• To meet the physical demands required of some positions, candidates must be in good physical condition and willing to work in all weather conditions. Clearance on pre-placement medical and drug and alcohol testing may be required.