Senior External Affairs Advisor

Job Summary

This is a highly visible position with broad responsibilities for primarily external affairs planning, execution and measurement. This position reports directly to the Manager, Communications & External Affairs (& Public Information Officer “PIO”). 

In collaboration with the Manager, Comms & External Affairs, helps maintain robust crisis and incident response communications readiness plans, toolkits and activities, including media relations, and serves as Deputy PIO in the site’s Emergency Operating Center. On a day-to-day basis, the Sr. External Affairs Advisor works in coordination with the Manager, Comms & External Affairs, colleagues and external stakeholders to help deliver high-impact external relations and social performance initiatives and activities in the neighboring communities and industry organizations.

S/he also collaborates with the Internal Communications team, as assigned, to deliver integrated communications campaigns and projects and maintain flexibility in the Communications team providing timely counsel and deliverables to meet the diverse communications and stakeholder engagement needs of the site.

Accountabilities & Responsibilities:   

• Collaborate with the Manager, Communications & External Affairs to implement a comprehensive external communications strategy and values-driven community and industry-focused initiatives for the site that align with business goals and objectives and enhance corporate reputation. The scope of external communications includes issues management, media, social media and community relations, social investment, strategic positioning, and external stakeholder relations.
• Collaborate with the Internal Communications team to provide external communications planning and implementation for projects and initiatives that require integrated communications and to help balance the Communications team’s overall workload.
• Establish success metrics for each initiative to provide discipline in determining the social impact and return on reputation investment outcomes.
• Stay abreast of industry and National Incident Management System Incident Command System (NIMS ICS) best practices that can continuously improve the site’s overall and incident response communications programs.
• Collaborate with the Communications team to help drive change, influence and enhance site culture and reputation through informative communications that position site initiatives for successful internal and external outcomes, including but not limited to inspiring and empowering colleagues and building/growing positive relationships within the industry and neighboring communities. 
• Coordinate with Brand, Design and Multimedia resources, collaborate across multiple departments to foster cross-functional partnerships and research official industry resources to maintain a current and dynamic website and targeted social media presence for PEMEX Deer Park. 
   Anticipate and plan for upcoming issues, source content and encourage defined participation within the site’s social media policy.
• Serve as Deputy Public Information Officer for the site, contribute to maintaining and enhancing the crisis/incident response communication 
   plan and toolkit, and coordinate as needed with third-party on-call PIO support consultants. Participate in all required training and drills supporting this role in the Emergency Operations Center.
• In collaboration with the Manager, Communications & External Affairs, implement the site’s community outreach program and build a supporting volunteer base. Evaluate requests for funding and present to Manager, Communications & External Affairs budget allocation proposals for social impact investment projects that complement the site’s Social Impact Investment criteria. 
• Log all external engagements and financial- and volunteer time-based social investment donations in the site’s External Engagements Register for reporting per corporate guidelines and ensure colleagues participating in external engagements are doing the same to ensure complete and accurate documentation. 
• Support the Manager, Communications & External Relations, in representing the site at community events and encouraging site leaders to do the same.
• Manage a media relations program that protects and enhances the PEMEX Deer Park brand and includes developing positive mainstream news and trade media coverage and positioning opportunities, as well as preparation 
   of statements for media, employees and the community.
• Develop and implement outreach initiatives focused on economic development and growth, community quality of life, education/future workforce development, and environment.
• Collaborate with local community organizations and educational institutions to identify programs where our volunteer base can contribute meaningfully to advancing learning and community service initiatives.

 Qualifications:  

• Strong PIO experience working in NIMS ICS and JIC environments. NIMS ICS certification required. Site-based PIO experience preferred but not required.
• Ability to act with integrity and professionalism in line with the site’s mission, vision and values, and corporate codes of conduct and ethics.
• Excellent verbal and written communication and multi-media skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, negotiation and conflict resolution skills.
• Demonstrated ability to contribute independently while also excelling in highly collaborative team environments.
• Excellent analytic and problem-solving skills, with the ability to see multiple scenarios and impacts of internal and external communications throughout the organization and on stakeholders.
• Excellent project management and organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent time management skills, with proven ability to plan work and meet competing deadlines.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and discretion.
• Ability to adapt to the needs of the company and employees.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and assignments, delegating and/or collaborating when appropriate and needed to meet deadlines, and defining clear objectives, implementation expectations and accountabilities, when collaborating with peers and colleagues, and metrics by which to measure the success of initiatives and targeted outcomes.
• Ability to function well in a fast-paced and, at times, stressful environment.
• Strong knowledge and application of AP Stylebook.
• Highly proficient with Microsoft Office 365, Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, and related software, including collaboration software and associated analytics.
• Proficient with social media and Internet platforms and analytics.

Job Knowledge, Skills & Experience 

Education and Experience: 

• The position requires a bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, or public/external affairs from an accredited university. 
• A minimum of 10 years of experience in internal and external communications, public or external affairs, community, stakeholder and media relations, internet and Social Media content development and management, issues resolution, negotiation, and crisis/incident response communications.
• Previous experience in change management, employee engagement, marketing, international business, is preferred.
• Energy industry experience working in complex operating environments and manufacturing site-based communications experience highly preferred.
• Experience with frontline and/or union-represented employees preferred.
• Spanish proficiency strongly preferred but not required.
• Must be able to pass all required, applicable onsite safety training. 

Physical requirements: 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions:

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Prolonged periods of activity and engagement with small and large groups of people in indoor and outdoor settings.
• Must be able to be on-site at PEMEX Deer Park for a minimum of 4 days/week, regular full-time and extended work hours as needed.
• Must be able to drive and/or travel by bus and/or shuttle to various locations within the refinery.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times. 
• Must currently hold or be able to qualify to receive a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) card. Note, information regarding TWIC qualification standards may be found at https://www.tsa.gov/forindustry/twic