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.