Associate Director, Operational Communications (Electricity)

EPCOR Technologies Inc.; Edmonton; Hybrid; CAD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

EPCOR seeks an Associate Director, Communications (Electricity) in Edmonton to lead the Communications team supporting EPCOR's electricity utility. You will report to the Senior Director, provide strategic counsel to the Electricity leadership, and build a high-performing team focused on internal and external communications, customer, regulator, and stakeholder engagement.

You'll partner with cross-functional leaders to align communications with business goals, manage crises and regulatory

Qualifications

• Bachelor-level or higher degree in communications, PR, marketing, journalism, business or related field.
• Significant experience in communications, public engagement or marketing beyond a degree.
• Graduate degree in communications, business administration or public policy is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead a high-performing team of communications professionals with a culture of collaboration and accountability.
• Set team priorities, coach and develop staff, and support growth.
• Develop and deliver strategic communications plans aligned to Electricity unit goals and EPCOR priorities.
• Advise Electricity executive leadership on initiatives, operations, risks, and reputation management.
• Partner with cross-functional leaders to coordinate communications activities across EPCOR.
• Plan and execute communications for operational priorities, customer impacts, regulatory activities, and major projects.
• Ensure timely, accurate information to customers and continuous improvement of customer experience.
• Oversee crisis, emergency response and business continuity communications.
• Support regulatory filings, reporting, and stakeholder engagement in a regulated environment.
• Foster relationships with customers, regulators, elected officials, Indigenous communities, and partners.

Skills

Strategic communications

Leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Issues management

Crisis communications

Budget management

Strategy development

Regulatory environment understanding

Education

Bachelor's degree in Communications/Public Relations/Marketing/Journalism/Business

Bachelor's degree in another discipline with significant experience

Graduate degree in communications/public policy/business administration

Job description

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, employees, and stakeholders, and you have a proven ability to build strong relationships, influence outcomes, and work effectively across diverse groups. You thrive in fast-paced environments, confidently balancing competing priorities while exercising sound judgment and providing trusted advice on complex and sensitive matters.

Other important facts about this job

Jurisdiction: MGMT

Hours of work: 80 hours biweekly

To ensure your application is recognized as internal, please apply using your EPCOR email address.

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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 is required on all applicable background checks (which may include criminal, identity, educational, and/or credit) and professional reference checks. 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.
• Prior infractions for unsafe driving behaviours will be evaluated and considered for non-selection regardless of current demerits on file.
• If you are required to provide your own personal reliable vehicle: Successful applicants must provide their own vehicles with appropriate insurance in accordance with EPCOR's Employee Mileage Reimbursement Policy. You will be reimbursed in accordance with EPCOR's Employee Mileage Reimbursement Policy.
• Use of AI: Our recruitment process may use technology assisted tools, including artificial intelligence, to support application screening and certain assessment steps. All recruitment activities, including hiring decisions, are led by our hiring managers and talent acquisition team.