Communications Specialist

Plains Midstream Canada (PMC); Houston (TX); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Top-tier benefits program

Respect for personal and family time

Job summary

Plains Midstream Canada (PMC) is looking for an experienced Communications Specialist based in Houston, Texas. This role involves shaping and executing the communications strategy across various channels while managing media inquiries and developing executive messaging.

The ideal candidate will possess 7-12 years of experience in corporate communications, with strengths in crisis management and digital engagement. This position offers competitive compensation and a robust benefits program.

Qualifications

• 7-12 years of progressive experience in corporate communications or public relations.
• Excellent writing, editing, and verbal communication skills with attention to detail.
• Strong business judgement and ability to navigate sensitive situations.

Responsibilities

• Lead crisis communications preparedness and response.
• Manage media inquiries and support strategic engagement.
• Develop and maintain social media content aligned with corporate objectives.

Skills

Crisis communications

Media relations

Digital communications

Writing and editing

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Bachelor's degree in communications or related field

Tools

Adobe Creative Suite

Social media platforms

Job description

Company Overview

Plains is an industry-leading transportation and midstream provider specializing in transportation, storage, processing and marketing solutions for crude oil. We own an extensive network of pipeline transportation, terminalling, storage and gathering assets in key oil producing basins and transportation corridors and at major market hubs in the United States and Canada. The company is headquartered in Houston, Texas.

Job Summary

The Communications Specialist is an experienced communications professional who helps shape and execute Plains’ communications strategy across external, digital and internal channels. As part of a small but high-performing team, the role offers breadth, visibility and ownership, with opportunities to contribute across nearly every aspect of the communications function. This role serves as a trusted communications partner, helping advance business objectives, strengthen stakeholder relationships and protect the company’s reputation. The successful candidate is equally comfortable supporting crisis response, managing digital channels, identifying new opportunities to elevate Plains’ profile, developing executive messaging and advising internal partners. The role is best suited to someone who enjoys operating as a communications generalist with an external focus, and is energized by the opportunity to work across a wide variety of business issues. The ideal candidate is a highly collaborative self‑starter who thrives in a fast‑paced environment, exercises sound judgment, navigates ambiguity with confidence and takes initiative to solve problems before they arise.

Responsibilities

External Communications

• Lead crisis communications preparedness for incidents and crisis situations, including planning, training, message development and exercises.


• Support communications response during incidents and reputation-sensitive situations, coordinating closely across the organization to ensure timely, accurate and effective communications.


• Manage media inquiries and support strategic engagement with journalists, industry groups and other external stakeholders.


• Partner across the organization to develop and/or align messaging and communications strategies for stakeholder, regulatory and public-facing activities.


• Identify opportunities to strengthen Plains’ reputation through thought leadership, industry advocacy, stakeholder engagement and proactive communications initiatives.

Digital & Brand Communications

• Maintain accurate, engaging and strategically aligned website content that supports business priorities.


• Manage Plains’ social media presence, developing content and monitoring analytics to enhance engagement and support corporate objectives.


• Uphold and refine Plains’ brand standards, ensuring consistency across communications materials and digital channels.


• Partner with internal and external creative resources to develop visual, multimedia and digital content aligned with Plains’ brand and messaging priorities.


• Evaluate emerging technologies, AI tools and digital trends to improve efficiency, strengthen stakeholder engagement and enhance communications effectiveness.

Internal Communications

• Collaborate with the internal communications lead to support company‑wide communications initiatives including town halls, executive messages, newsletters, intranet content and employee engagement campaigns, as business needs and team priorities require.


• Develop communications materials that help leaders effectively cascade information throughout the organization.


• Help define and promote communications best practices, templates, brand resources and other shared communications assets.

Success Looks Like

• Anticipates communications needs and proactively develops solutions before issues arise.


• Builds trusted relationships across the business and is sought out for communications counsel.


• Delivers high‑quality work quickly, accurately and with minimal oversight.


• Demonstrates sound judgement in high‑pressure and time‑sensitive situations.


• Identifies opportunities to strengthen Plains’ reputation and improve communications effectiveness.


• Embraces new technologies and continuously seeks ways to improve how work is executed.

Experience

• 7-12 years of progressive experience in corporate communications, public affairs, public relations, journalism, agency communications or a related field.


• Experience supporting crisis communications, media relations, issues management or reputation management activities.

Knowledge & Skills

• Experience supporting crisis communications, issues management and media relations activities.


• Excellent writing, editing and verbal communication skills, with strong attention to detail and the ability to translate complex topics into clear, compelling narratives.


• Strong business judgement and ability to navigate sensitive situations with professionalism and discretion.


• Experience managing digital communications channels, including websites and social media platforms.


• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities, work under pressure and deliver high‑quality results quickly and accurately.


• Strong relationship‑building skills and the ability to influence and collaborate across functions and organizational levels.

Preferred Experience

• Experience in energy, utilities, transportation, industrial, infrastructure or other capital‑intensive industries.


• Experience supporting communications for a publicly traded company, including investor‑facing, regulatory or corporate reputation initiatives.


• Familiarity with incident command systems (ICS), emergency response communications or crisis preparedness programs.


• Familiarity with Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, video production tools or other creative platforms.


• Knowledge of digital analytics tools and emerging AI applications in communications.

Behaviors & Expectations

Drives Results

• Demonstrates strong ownership and accountability, proactively identifying opportunities, solving problems and improving outcomes.


• Works quickly and independently while maintaining exceptionally high standards for quality and accuracy.

Adapts

• Remains composed, resourceful and solutions‑oriented in dynamic environments.


• Embraces change, innovation and new ways of working.


• Learns quickly and adjusts priorities as business needs evolve.

Serves

• Approaches work with a collaborative, service‑oriented mindset.


• Builds strong relationships and earns trust through responsiveness, reliability and sound judgment.


• Seeks feedback and continuously refines work to improve quality and impact.

Demonstrates Integrity

• Models professionalism, discretion and ethical conduct.


• Exercises sound judgment when handling sensitive information and high‑profile issues.


• Acts with transparency, accountability and respect in all interactions.

Benefits

Hard work is rewarded with competitive compensation and a top‑tier benefits program designed to keep our employees safe, healthy and happy.

We work hard to deliver the best results to our stakeholders, and we also respect our employees' need for personal and family time, which is reflected in our benefits program.

Equal Opportunity Employer

At Plains, we are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified individuals, without regard to age, race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, genetic information, disability, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. Applicants with disabilities can request accessible formats, communication supports, or other accessibility assistance by contacting [e-mail].