External Relations Officer

Responsibilities

• In collaboration with the Director and other team members, manage the organizational coordination of conferences, sponsorships and events; inclusive of identifying opportunities, developing strategies and creating and implementing conference/event plans.
• Support and contribute to policy research and evaluate policy implications. Maintain an awareness of a wide range of corporate needs/issues, including annual and multi-year strategies and produce sound analysis and recommendations.
• Lead the planning and coordination of external stakeholder meetings to ensure consistent, proactive and strategic briefings of the NWMO’s work. This would include complex issues requiring a collaborative approach with external stakeholders.
• Coordinate and appropriately resource annual departmental workplans, meetings, organize and prepare meeting materials including internal briefing notes, background materials, PowerPoint presentations and other supporting materials while ensuring communications standards are met. Support executive communications planning, as required.
• Capture key issues raised during government and/or stakeholder meetings and lead departmental compliance with records procedures and standards. Ensure proper records management and expense records reporting in coordination of engagement activities, and in alignment with NWMO policies and procedures.
• Represent the NWMO by participating in government or external relations briefings/meetings/conferences/other key events to build awareness of the NWMO and Canada’s Plan, and any additional NWMO projects (i.e. ILW, SMRs), as required.
• Organize and lead tours that the Government and External Relations team might be leading. This would include advance planning, internal coordination, communication with government officials or stakeholders, and participation in the in-person tours.
• Leverage internal and external relationships to connect the NWMO with key government representatives and external stakeholders, as well as expand existing audiences’ understanding and appreciation of the organization and its mandate, through briefings, representation at events, and conferences.
• Build and maintain relationships with industry, government, stakeholders, and internal contacts to advance NWMO strategic objectives.
• Provide strategic support for the implementation of federal, provincial and municipal election strategies, to ensure that the NWMO is well positioned to mitigate risks, educate candidates, and are attentive to rolling risks
• Coordinate internal departmental procurement, financial, project management, and other administrative processes, including maintaining a robust mailing list for industry, stakeholders, government (federal and provincial, municipal and international) contacts to ensure smooth coordination of the team’s work, as required.
• Perform other duties as required.

Qualifications and Experience

• 4 year university degree in in political science or policy studies or an equivalent level of education.
• A minimum of four years’ experience in external affairs, stakeholder/public relations and communications.

• A good understanding of government relations.
• Requires a knowledge of and experience in community development and public engagement.
• Experience planning and coordinating cross-departmental, interjurisdictional government and external meetings, conferences, and events.
• Excellent written communication skills and the ability to write using a variety of styles.
• Good presentation and verbal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to plan, organize and prioritize and manage multiple projects.
• Must be able to effectively apply theoretical and practical technical knowledge and use sound analytical thinking to solve problems.
• Confident and works well under pressure.
• Proficient in the use of standard word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation software applications.

Preferred

• Bilingualism (French/English) would be a strong asset.
• Experience or knowledge of regulatory process in Canada.

Other Information