Manager, External Affairs

WestJet Group; Ottawa; Hybrid; CAD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

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

The successful candidate will represent WestJet at federal (and occasionally provincial) levels, craft policy and advocacy materials, and act as a spokesperson when required at events.

Qualifications

• 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.
• Excellent public speaking experience and ability to act as an ambassador and spokesperson.
• Proven ability to convey complex issues to various external audiences.
• Understanding of government structures and regulatory affairs in Canada.
• Experience engaging government officials, regulatory bodies, and industry groups.

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 strategic priorities.
• Provide in-depth policy analysis, briefing materials, and research to support advocacy and government relations.
• Draft and deliver policy positions, speeches, and advocacy materials tailored to different audiences.
• Collaborate with WestJet leadership, communications teams, and government relations stakeholders.
• Engage with industry association partners.

Skills

Strong writing

Research

Public speaking

Negotiation

Relationship building

Strategic thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree in Political Science, Public Relations, Communications, Economics, Business, or related field

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.