Director, Communications & Stakeholder Experience

Director, Communications & Stakeholder Experience

ABOUT THIS ROLE

Burlington Hydro Inc. (“BHI”) is currently seeking a Director, Communications & Stakeholder Experience.  Reporting to the Executive Vice-President, Corporate & CPO, this position is responsible for strategically leading the development, enhancement, alignment and coordination of the Corporation’s Communications plans and programs, including those of any affiliates, such as Burlington Electricity Services Inc. and GridSmartCity. This position is responsible for leading the development and implementation of corporate communication strategies and plans designed to enhance BHI’s brand with internal and external stakeholders. This position is responsible for planning, developing, and implementing customer communications, including oversight of the Stakeholder Experience. 

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop and recommend an annual communications strategy and budget supporting the business plans ensuring alignment with other departments to achieve the overall corporate strategic plan and key community, safety, customer, and employee initiatives.
• Provide the Corporation’s Communications plans and programs, including those of any affiliates.
• Provide strategic internal/external communications and marketing expertise relating to business strategies, key business initiatives, public/media relations, marketing, and customer communications, brand management, and employee communications.
• Provide senior-level leadership related to issues management and crisis communications, accountable for ensuring the alignment of messaging.
• Lead and advise internal communications strategic counsel to business units and senior executives, including leadership, focusing on improving stakeholder engagement and the customer and employee experience.
• Responsible for the development and execution of significant initiatives working with diverse stakeholders.
• Identify key organizational communications challenges and develop recommendations and solutions.
• Develop, recommend, implement, and coordinate timely internal communications activities using the full range of communications tactics such as intranet, newsletter, and social media.
• Recommend, develop, and implement digital marketing and communication strategies using relevant tools and systems. Report on these strategies using data analytics.
• Develop and lead direct web and social media strategies supporting organizational goals.
• Develop, recommend, implement, and coordinate external communications strategies and plans which encompass:
  • Lead all media relations activities, including media monitoring, proactively identifying emerging issues, developing key messages, writing press releases, and organizing media events.
  • Serve as the official company spokesperson.
  • Serve as webmaster for the company website, responsible for content while collaborating with internal stakeholders as subject matter experts.
  • Lead the production of corporate communications materials, including researching, writing, and producing the annual corporate report.
  • Write speeches and develop executive presentations.
  • Event management involving planning and coordinating public information sessions, focus groups, customer surveys, and speaking engagements.

• Lead BHI’s brand management ensuring alignment with the BHEI brand and BHI Vision.
• Develop and maintain a network of strong, collaborative relationships with media representatives, industry contacts, elected officials, city staff, community partners, and customers.
• Proactively lead community engagement and Customer Care through communications and events.
• Design communication packages and feedback loops as required that may involve Customers, the Board of Directors, Shareholders, the Province, key governmental and other agencies (Ontario Energy Board, Ontario Power Authority, Electricity Distributors Association, etc.), the Investment Community, Media, employees, and so on.
• Manage a team of direct and indirect reports, overseeing the Customer Experience department.
• Create, support, and lead a team environment that encourages excellence, collaboration, inclusion, and high professionalism. 

ARE YOU THE RIGHT PERSON FOR THIS ROLE?

Your background provides you with extensive experience in managing comprehensive communication plans, media relations, and employee communications to advance the Company’s mission and goals. Your writing, editing and presentation skills are exceptional. 

You’re a brand champion and relationship builder who can help us continue to develop strong relationships with our stakeholders and build exemplary customer experiences. You can effectively communicate with all stakeholders, including key community partners, customers, and internally at all levels within the company. 

You are flexible and easily adapt to whatever comes your way. You thrive in action and can calmly and quickly pivot. You can take charge when needed and are savvy enough to know when to lead and when to follow. 

You’re a seasoned people leader and a change agent known to cultivate innovation and support change to ensure the business continually evolves. 

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

• Minimum of 10 years of relevant experience in Communications or Public Relations experience in both private and public sector companies at a senior leadership or management level experience.
• Undergraduate degree in English, Communications, Business Administration or equivalent. A Master’s degree is considered an asset.
• Experience in digital marketing and communication strategies.
• Communications experience in the Ontario electricity industry and a regulatory environment is an asset.
• Experience providing communications support to conservation/ demand management initiatives and small-scale renewable generation projects (solar, bio-mass, co-generation, district energy) is an asset.
• Communication Management Professional (CMP) certification or Strategic Communication Management Professional (SCMP) certification are considered an asset.
• Critical thinker and effective problem-solving skills.
• Knowledge of all Hydro operations; excellent human relations/interpersonal skills.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Effective communication skills with the ability to influence and engage all audiences.
• Comfort speaking in front of groups of varying sizes, internal and external stakeholders.
• Extensive experience in print production, event management and brand management.
• Strong people management experience leading teams of professionals and promoting a culture of high performance and continuous improvement. 

WHAT YOU’LL NEED TO BE SUCCESSFUL

• Positive, solutions-oriented approach.
• Personal presence and influence who has the confidence to strategically move the organization forward while respecting boundaries.
• Self-driven, able to work independently and a collaborative team player.
• Inclusive, respectful, and strong interpersonal skills and able to build strong relationships with those of different backgrounds and experiences.
• Resilient and works well under pressure to meet deadlines.
• Well-rounded seasoned professional who excels at leading initiatives and managing day-to-day activities.
• Ability to establish credibility, strong influencing skills, and ability to be decisive, along with recognizing and supporting the organization's priorities. 

WHO WE ARE

Established in 1945, Burlington Hydro is a local distribution company (LDC) serving the City of Burlington, with a total licensed service area of 188 square kilometres and a customer base of 68,500 customers (consisting of Residential, General Service, Street Light, and Unmetered Scattered Load customers/connections). 

At Burlington Hydro, we strive to exemplify excellence in every aspect of our business. From the exacting work of our engineers and the professionalism of our customer service representatives, to our resilient operations crews and all those in-between, we work together to deliver value at every level of the organization. It’s a value proposition that lies at the very core of our company – caring for people and community, and caring about stewardship and sustainability – all with a commitment to continuous improvement in everything we do. 

We rely on the skills and abilities of all of our employees to assist us in reaching our mission, goals and objectives. We put high emphasis on our Core Values and expect all employees to act consistently in accordance with those Values.  

We care about our team, our work, our customers and our business. Our commitment to delivering quality service and providing a safe work environment govern all of our daily activities. Each member of our team has a responsibility to help one another achieve success, and satisfaction on the job. Vision and strategy are vital, but it's our people who create value. 

Burlington Hydro is consistently voted as one of Hamilton-Niagara's Top Employers. We promote a culture that is performance driven, values centric, diverse, and inclusive. We’re always looking for good people who share the same values and want to combine their professional talents with a commitment to our goals. 

To be part of our team, we look for candidates who:

• Thrive in a dynamic team environment and resilient in the face of challenges or uncertainty
• Are committed to safety and working as part of a team to ensure the highest standards of safety are upheld
• Take the initiative, leads by example, demonstrates a positive attitude and respectful of diverse perspectives
• Have a strong track record of excellence in all that they do 

In exchange, we offer:

• Competitive compensation
• Safe working conditions
• Comprehensive benefits (medical, dental) for you and your family
• Defined benefits plan
• Exciting career challenges
• Training and development support 

In accordance with Burlington Hydro's COVID-19 Vaccination Proof Policy, as a condition of employment, successful job applicants must provide an official QR code as proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 prior to their start date. This requirement is subject only to valid human rights-based requests for accommodation.

APPLICATIONS

Qualified applicants are invited to submit their resume by clicking here. The deadline to apply is May 26, 2023.

We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. 

Diversity & Inclusion: Burlington Hydro Inc. is committed to creating an inclusive workplace and we encourage candidates from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and those who may need accommodation to apply to join our team. Our commitment to excellence in diversity goes beyond promoting equity. By incorporating a variety of experiences and perspectives, we create opportunities for innovative solutions and maximize the impact of our work. 

In accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 and the Ontario Human Rights Code, Burlington Hydro Inc. will provide accommodations to applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment, selection and/or assessment process. If selected to participate in the recruitment, selection and/or assessment process, please inform Human Resources staff of the nature of any accommodation(s) that you may require.