Strategic Advisor, Public Affairs

Fleet Renewal

Victoria

The Opportunity

In order to address the challenges brought on by constrained system capacity, aging major assets, and environmental sustainability, BC Ferries has recently launched a new Fleet Renewal organization that will see a large number of new major and minor vessels introduced to the fleet in the near term as well as significant builds and upgrades to shore-based infrastructure and facilities.  These projects together form the largest capital investment in the company’s history.

The new position of Strategic Advisor, Public Affairs will be a senior level position within the organizational structure, playing a key role in supporting the successful delivery of Fleet Renewal programs and projects. You provide strategic communications and engagement advice and guidance to support the success of Fleet Renewal projects and initiatives. As the Strategic Advisor, you will have broad responsibility for coordination of public affairs activities within the program, including advising on reputational risks, engagement strategy, media events, marketing, brand alignment, and Indigenous relations.  

You also act as a strategic bridge between Fleet Renewal and the Public Affairs and Marketing Division, aligning program priorities with corporate messaging, working with subject matter experts, and helping deliver clear, consistent, and timely information to the public and interest holders.

The Role

Reporting to the Director, Fleet Renewal Transformation, this role is integral to the achievement of company objectives, and you contribute value through key areas of oversight such as:

• Providing strategic advice and guidance to the Head, Fleet Renewal and Fleet Renewal Program Managers on community and interest holder-specific concerns and considerations, ensuring alignment with organizational strategies, goals and messaging.
• Collaborating with the Public Affairs and Marketing Division to develop, review and refine Fleet Renewal communications and engagement materials related to Fleet Renewal.
• Providing input on broader public affairs and marketing initiatives on behalf of the program, as required.
• Providing strategic advice to leaders in the Public Affairs and Marketing Division on emerging or project-specific public, internal or reputational issues, ensuring alignment with Fleet Renewal priorities and timelines.
• Managing the development of communication materials to support Fleet Renewal engagement events, issues management and other communications efforts.
• Creating engagement strategies to support regular outreach and project-specific efforts, working in collaboration with Public Affairs and Marketing Division teams to ensure consistency.
• Facilitating dialogue on relevant topics related to Fleet Renewal with community members and interest holders, working to create shared understanding and mutually beneficial outcomes.
• Providing advice and recommendations to Fleet Renewal on First Nations relations and leads the development of strategies, plans and engagement activities.
• Staying informed on evolving provincial, federal, and international standards, guidelines, and legislation related to First Nations consultation and engagement.
• Coordinating the development of a variety of materials including strategies and plans, news releases, positioning notes, memos, presentations, reports, speeches, correspondence, advertorials, newspaper copy, internet, and intranet copy.
• Managing and monitoring public and interest holder sentiment and evaluation of the effectiveness of engagement and communications strategies using feedback and metrics to adjust tactics and ensure ongoing alignment with Fleet Renewal goals and the broader organizational strategy.
• Serving as the primary point of contact between the corporate Branding and Marketing teams and Fleet Renewal, ensuring alignment on brand standards, visual identity, and related requirements.

What you bring to the team

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, public affairs, business, or related field. A combination of education and experience may be considered
• 7-9 years of experience in public affairs roles with high visibility in the public eye.  Established First Nations, government, community and/or media connections considered an asset
• 4-6 years of experience working with a wide variety of interest holders managing difficult issues with diplomacy and strategic insight
• 4-6 years of experience with the planning and delivery of public engagement processes on high profile topics
• 4-6 years of experience in the following four areas: working with communities, including consultation, engagement, and relationship-building; working with local, provincial and/or federal governments, and understanding of governmental processes; working with Indigenous communities, including consultation, engagement, and relationship-building; and working in crisis communications, reputation management, or managing high-profile public relations issues

Join us!

If this sounds like your next great career move, please submit your resume and cover letter by August 3, 2025.

Additional Information

The target salary range: $105,200 – 131,500 per annum.  The starting salary is determined based on the successful candidate’s knowledge and experience, and on internal equity. 

"We connect communities and customers to people and places important in their lives”

At BC Ferries, our employees are our most important assets in delivering our commitment to customer safety, service and satisfaction. We support employment equity and diversity in the workplace and we encourage applications from all qualified individuals including women, visible minorities, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, persons of diverse sexual orientation, gender identity or expression (LGBTQ2S+), and others who reflect our ever-changing workplace.

We appreciate the interest of all applicants; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.