Advisor - Regulatory Affairs

Overview of role
The successful candidate will help maintain WestJet's operating authorizations by managing licences and air operator designations, supporting compliance with facilitation regulations, and overseeing immigration-related infractions. The role works broadly across WestJet and with external partners, requiring a highly professional and collaborative approach. This senior-level individual contributor reports to the Director, Regulatory Affairs & Accessibility.
Key deliverables include:
Manage WestJet's licences and permits with civil aviation authorities worldwide for scheduled, charter, ad hoc, cargo, and codeshare operations.
Partner with network planning, fleet planning, alliances, and other stakeholders to define business requirements, establish timelines, and keep licensure readiness aligned with commercial and operational targets.
Maintain complete licensure records and documentation to support business continuity.
Process customs and immigration violation notices, investigate root causes with airports, corporate security, and external partners, and pursue mitigations with government authorities to avoid or reduce fines.
Maintain violation records, identify patterns and trends, and recommend actions to reduce WestJet's exposure.
Serve as a subject matter expert on immigration and travel-document requirements for passengers, crew, and animals, including how external technology systems interact with WestJet's systems and processes.
Provide regulatory counsel through recurring and ad hoc forums, support projects requiring compliance guidance, and lead projects driven by regulatory change.
Build and advance relationships with authorities, regulators, and service and technology partners to achieve and maintain compliance.
Resolve data-transmission and data-quality non-compliance promptly to protect WestJet's good standing and operating authority.
Support other Regulatory Affairs & Accessibility priorities to broaden knowledge and experience.
Experience and Qualifications:
5+ years of experience in roles with significant exposure to WestJet operations, processes, and systems.
Exceptional professional judgment, communication, tact, and diplomacy, including the ability to manage sensitive matters and represent WestJet with external parties.
Demonstrated ability to build collaborative relationships at all organizational levels and externally.
Excellent analytical and critical-thinking skills, with a track record of turning complex analysis into actionable insights and recommendations.
Ability to work effectively under time-sensitive, high-pressure deadlines.
Schedule flexibility, including occasional work outside standard Monday-to-Friday hours to engage with licensing authorities in other time zones.
Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and SharePoint.
Advanced knowledge of WestJet reservation and check-in systems; additional systems knowledge is an asset.