Sr. Advisor, Government and External Relations-Bilingual

Responsibilities

1. Represent the NWMO by participating in government relations meetings with federal and provincial French-speaking government officials about the NWMO site selection process.
2. Manage relationships and engagement activities with French-speaking stakeholders and francophone elected representatives federally and provincially.
3. Lead the development and implementation of an engagement program that includes the federal government, provincial governments, industry and stakeholders. The incumbent would focus on audiences or relationships that are francophone or French-speaking.
4. Lead policy research and evaluate policy implications. Maintain an awareness of a wide range of corporate needs/issues, including annual and multi-year strategies, and produce sound analysis and recommendations, specifically with regard to French-speaking elected officials and francophone communities.
5. Develop, maintain and co-ordinate a federal and provincial/government visibility action plan, including identifying, co-ordinating participation and evaluating events for the NWMO’s brand visibility strategy. Represent the organization at these events as appropriate.
6. Deliver presentations to build awareness and understanding of the work that is being undertaken by the NWMO with government representatives, external groups and organizations, and address queries about the project.
7. Co-ordinate and schedule meeting requests, and organize and prepare meeting materials, including internal briefing notes, background materials, PowerPoint presentations and other supporting materials. 
8. Capture key issues raised during government meetings by creating meeting notes for NWMO records. Ensure proper records management and expense records reporting in co-ordination of engagement activities, and in alignment with NWMO policies and procedures.
9. Identify opportunities for the NWMO to align with stakeholder priorities.
10. Manage related internal budgets and resources effectively.
11. Contribute to the NWMO’s visibility strategy, including leading the NWMO’s executive leadership efforts.
12. Support the overall government and external relations team, stakeholder research, analysis, outreach, and engagement activities.
13. Respond and prioritize stakeholder requests, questions and concerns.
14. Position the NWMO credibly and top-of-mind with government, industry and other stakeholder groups relevant to advancing NWMO priorities, developing and maintaining professional relationships and representing the NWMO at events and speaking opportunities.
15. Develop strategies including the messages, activities, resources and progress milestones to achieve meaningful outcomes.
16. Establish meaningful metrics to measure the outcomes of the strategy. Track and report on progress.
17. Contribute where necessary to conference and event planning that the organization is either hosting or attending.
18. From time to time, act as a French-speaking spokesperson for the organization.
19. Perform other duties as required.

Qualifications and Experience

The ideal candidate will have the following skills and experience; however, those with lesser experience should not hesitate to apply.   

• A 4-year university degree in communications, public relations or other suitable educational experience that aligns with job requirements.
• A minimum of 8 years’ experience with external affairs, stakeholder/public relations and communications, ideally in the nuclear industry.
• Robust existing relationships/experience with environmental CSOs, labour groups, think tanks, chambers of commerce, etc.
• A strong understanding of government relations. 
• Ability to acquire and apply knowledge of the NWMO’s corporate messages, as well as priorities and approvals processes.  
• Proven background in political stakeholder management.
• Proven background in leading impactful stakeholder engagement programs.
• Experience or knowledge of regulatory process in Canada.
• Experience managing a budget.
• A real team player with the ability to interact and collaborate.
• Strong strategically and operationally minded.
• Demonstrated ability to plan, organize and prioritize.
• Proven experience of being able to take accountability and lead on projects or tasks.
• Ability to tackle new challenges, ask questions, and manage multiple projects.
• Confident and works well under pressure.
• Strong oral and written communication skills in both official languages (English and French), including the ability to translate complex topics into wording that is concise and plain language, and the ability to write in a variety of different styles.
• Proficiency in English at a business level is required.

Other Information

Must be eligible to work in Canada and must be able to meet security clearance requirements.

NWMO currently operates in a hybrid work model of 3 days in the office (Tuesdays being universal) and 2 days working from home.

We offer a competitive base salary, health care benefits and pension plan.

The NWMO is committed to contributing to Reconciliation in all our work by co-creating a shared future built on rights, equity and well-being. As an employment equity employer, NWMO actively seeks Indigenous people, visible minorities, women, people with disabilities and additional diverse identities for our workforce. The NWMO will provide accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you require accommodation, please contact us.