Manager, External Affairs

Westjet-Airline; Calgary; On-site; CAD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

WestJet is seeking a Manager, External Affairs to advance the company's advocacy, partnerships, and sponsorships. The role reports to the Head of External Affairs and involves crafting policy materials, engaging with federal and provincial stakeholders, and representing WestJet at events in Ottawa.

Key duties include developing advocacy content, supporting government relations, and serving as a WestJet spokesperson when required. Travel up to 25% to Calgary and other locations may be needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Political Science, Public Relations, Communications, Economics, Business, or related field.
• 6–8 years of government relations, public affairs, policy analysis, or stakeholder engagement experience.
• Superior writing and research skills with briefing materials, press releases, and advocacy documents.
• Ability to tailor writing style to diverse audiences, including government officials, industry leaders, media, and the public.
• Familiarity with Canadian government structures and legislative functions.
• Excellent public speaking experience as a WestJet ambassador and spokesperson.

Responsibilities

• Represent WestJet’s interests in federal-level advocacy and engage with provinces and stakeholders to advance external affairs objectives.
• Support sponsorship and partnership initiatives aligned with WestJet’s priorities.
• Provide policy analysis, briefing materials, and research for advocacy and government relations.
• Assist in strategic events, market announcements, inaugurals, and partner-driven initiatives.
• Draft policy positions, speeches, and advocacy materials for varied audiences.

Skills

Writing skills

Public speaking

Stakeholder engagement

Negotiation

Strategic planning

French (preferred)

Independent initiative

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Overview of the role

WestJet is seeking a Manager, External Affairs to support our corporate and external affairs strategy. Reporting to the Head of External Affairs, this role will help drive WestJet’s advocacy efforts, partnerships and sponsorships, and provide critical policy research and stakeholder engagement support.

The successful candidate will play a key role in representing WestJet’s interests at the federal and occasionally provincial levels, crafting policy and advocacy materials, supporting government and stakeholder relationships, and ensuring seamless execution of sponsorship and partnership initiatives. The candidate will be responsible for representing WestJet in Ottawa, in coordination with the Head of External Affairs, and must also be able to act as a spokesperson for the company as required at events and other speaking opportunities.

This position will require strategic thinking, strong communication skills, and a strong understanding of government relations and regulatory affairs. This role presents an exciting opportunity to contribute to WestJet’s external relations strategy while developing key partnerships and shaping the airline’s public and regulatory engagement.

Key Deliverables

• Represent WestJet’s interests in federal-level advocacy and as needed, engage with provinces, other key partners and stakeholders to advance external affairs objectives.
• Support day-to-day engagement and execution of sponsorship and partnership initiatives to align with WestJet’s strategic priorities.
• Provide in-depth policy analysis, briefing materials, and research to support WestJet’s advocacy and government relations strategy.
• Support and help execute strategic events, market announcements, inaugurals, and partner-driven initiatives that align with WestJet’s corporate strategy.
• Draft and, at times, deliver policy positions, speeches, presentations, and other internal and external advocacy materials, with the ability to adapt messaging for different audiences.
• Work closely with WestJet leadership, communications teams, and government relations stakeholders to enhance the airline’s priorities and engagement efforts.
• Support engagement with industry association partners.

Experience & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, Public Relations, Communications, Economics, Business, or a related field.
• 6-8 years of experience in government relations, public affairs, policy analysis, or stakeholder engagement.
• Superior writing and research skills with experience crafting briefing materials, press releases, and advocacy documents.
• Strong ability to adapt writing style and tone to suit various audiences, from government officials and industry leaders to media, internal teams, and the public.
• Proven ability to convey complex issues to various external audiences.
• Familiarity with government structures and legislative functions and systems throughout Canada.
• Excellent public speaking experience, comfortable acting as a WestJet ambassador and spokesperson.
• Proven negotiation and relationship-building skills with experience engaging government officials, regulatory bodies, and industry groups.
• Business and industry acumen, and/or an understanding of aviation sector dynamics and regulatory challenges.
• A strategic and consultative approach to public affairs/communications planning and ability to work as an advisor to senior leadership teams.
• Based in Ottawa, with the ability and willingness to travel up to 25% to Calgary and other locations as required to support business priorities, advocacy meetings, events and stakeholder engagement.
• Self-starter with the ability to work independently, take initiative, build strong relationships and move priorities forward, while staying connected and collaborating effectively with a geographically dispersed team.
• French language proficiency is preferred.