Advisor, External Affairs Gulf Coast

LyondellBasell; La Porte (TX); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

LyondellBasell in Houston seeks an External Affairs Advisor to shape how the company engages stakeholders, build trust, and strengthen reputation across communities.

You will support priority sites, manage media relationships, coordinate with legal and site leadership, and translate complex topics into clear narratives while upholding the Code of Conduct.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, public relations or related field.
• 8+ years of external affairs or PR experience.
• Experience in petrochemical or manufacturing industry preferred.

Responsibilities

• Serve as trusted advisor for priority sites on external communications.
• Lead engagement and communications for complex, fast-moving issues.
• Build relationships with stakeholders beyond the site fence line.
• Develop audience-focused content for internal and external channels.
• Manage local media relationships and respond to inquiries.

Skills

Stakeholder engagement

Media relations

Strategic communications

Crisis management

Public policy

Education

Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, public relations or related field

Job description

LyondellBasell is a leader in the global chemical industry creating solutions for everyday sustainable living. With a nearly 70-year legacy that includes a Nobel Prize in Chemistry and our proprietary MoReTec recycling technology, LYB is enabling a more sustainable future for generations to come. LYB develops high-quality and innovative products for applications ranging from sustainable transportation and food safety to clean water and quality healthcare. LYB places high priority on diversity, equity and inclusion and is Advancing Good with an emphasis on our planet, the communities where we operate and our future workforce. We're addressing the global challenges of ending plastic waste, taking climate action, and supporting a thriving society, while generating value for our customers, investors, and society.

Come Join an Inclusive Team

As an External Affairs Advisor at LYB, you will help shape how the company shows up to key external and internal stakeholders by building trust, navigating complex issues, and strengthening reputation in the communities where we operate. Supporting priority Houston Ship Channel sites with elevated stakeholder interest and high visibility, you will bring a calm, strategic presence and a strong point of view, connecting business priorities with what matters most to local stakeholders. This role offers visible impact across day-to-day engagement and time-sensitive issues, while partnering closely with a broader Communications team.

A Day in the Life

• Serve as a trusted advisor for priority sites, providing strategic counsel on external communications and stakeholder engagement.
• Lead engagement and communications for complex, fast-moving issues, ensuring disciplined escalation, alignment and response coordination across Communications, Legal and site leadership.
• Build and sustain relationships with key stakeholders beyond the site fence line, including community leaders, local government entities, NGOs and partners.
• Provide strategic counsel to site leadership on social investment priorities, aligning community investments with business objectives, local needs and the company’s Corporate Citizenship framework.
• Manage relationships with local media, serving as a primary point of contact as needed, handling inquiries, coordinating interviews and supporting proactive hyper-local media engagement.
• Anticipate stakeholder and business needs by monitoring emerging issues, assessing reputational risk and recommending proactive engagement strategies.
• Lead crisis and issues management for assigned sites and stakeholders, including issue identification, scenario planning, message development and rapid coordination with Communications, Legal and site leadership.
• Develop and deliver audience-focused content and messaging for internal and external channels, translating complex topics into clear, compelling narratives.
• Partner with Communications colleagues and the in-house design team to produce high-quality visual and written storytelling aligned with corporate messaging and brand standards.
• Lead assigned communications plans, campaigns and projects end to end, including scoping, timelines, deliverables, approvals and post-activity learnings.
• Create and maintain communications toolkits and resources, including key messages, presentations, FAQs, briefing materials and training content.
• Establish and track KPIs to measure impact, benchmark progress and identify opportunities to improve engagement and channel performance.
• Contribute new ideas, tools and innovative approaches to strengthen team effectiveness and elevate communications outcomes.
• Represent the company with integrity and professionalism, in full alignment with the LyondellBasell Code of Conduct.
• Perform additional duties, as assigned.

You Bring This Value

• Demonstrated ability to operate effectively in high-visibility environments with multiple stakeholders and time-sensitive demands.
• Strong interpersonal, communication and presentation skills, both written and verbal.
• Excellent writing capabilities with command of AP style.
• Proven ability to prioritize work, manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines with strong attention to detail.
• Demonstrated resilience and adaptability in a fast changing environment, including the ability to perform under pressure and adjust priorities as needed.
• Strong collaboration and listening skills, with the ability to work effectively across functions and levels.
• Solution oriented, pragmatic approach to problem solving and project execution.
• Ability to work autonomously while maintaining high standards for quality and accountability.
• Sound judgment and discretion, including the ability to manage confidential and sensitive information.
• Proactive self-starter with strong ownership mindset and commitment to continuous improvement and high performance.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, and the ability to build trust and credibility with diverse audiences.

PERSON SPECIFICATION: (Typical knowledge, qualifications and experience required for the job.)

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, public relations or related field.

Work Experience

• Minimum of 8 or more years of relevant working experience as a communications professional in external affairs or public relations.
• Prior experience working in the petrochemical, manufacturing or related industry preferred.
• Knowledge of the Incident Command System (or similar) structure preferred.

Languages

• Superior mastery of the English language, particularly in written form, is a must. Spanish fluency a plus.

Competencies

• Build Partnerships
• Deliver Results
• Drive InnovationGrow Capabilities
• Promote Inclusion
• Motivational Fit
• Technical Skills

Learn more about our benefits : Benefits/Health & Welfare | LyondellBasell

Stay Connected!

• Visit our LYB Website
• Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram
• Like us on Facebook
• Subscribe to our YouTube channel

LyondellBasell is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics. The US EEO is the Law poster is available here .

LYB is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation related to LYB’s recruiting process, please email us at [e-mail].

Applicants must be at least 18 years old.

LyondellBasell does not accept or retain unsolicited résumés or phone calls and/or respond to them or to any third party representing job seekers.

Privacy Statement: For information regarding how LyondellBasell processes your personal data, please read our Privacy Statement .