Senior Expert, Network Operations Strategy

Job Summary

The incumbent is responsible for leading internal and external projects as assigned, with an emphasis on handling communications, relationships, costs, and project management. The role is required to start key initiatives and collaborate with the main stakeholders within the Operations team. The incumbent assists in developing a coherent strategy that improves the performance with a strong focus on oversight, delivery, and communication for smooth integration and maximum success.

Main Responsibilities

Network Strategy

· Support defining an Operational strategy that aligns programs and initiatives across the Operations functions with CN’s overall strategic agenda

· Link organizational and functional dependencies highlighting cost and benefits over time

· Facilitate planning and prioritization of functional goals and priorities, ensuring a direct connection to long-term business goals

· Ensure that the strategic portfolio is well documented and clearly communicated to key stakeholders in order to ensure alignment and understanding of the value drivers

· Handle governance forums for regular process updates, issue escalation, and information dissemination to facilitate project prioritization and decision making

· Ensure the progress and delivery of key initiatives

· Collaborate with the leadership team to oversee and finalize materials for executive committee

· Support change management activities into project and implementation plans

· Identify activities required to handle risk and resistance that may be associated with change

· Support and deliver on the communication plans to keep stakeholders informed, engaged, and supportive of project and program initiatives

· Work in collaboration with leadership team on development and execution of operational engagement plans.

·Facilitate planning and prioritization of functional goals and priorities, ensuring a direct connection to long-term business goals

Executive and Functional Communications

·Lead internal functional communications strategies aligned with enterprise priorities, transformation initiatives, leadership messaging, and the Operational engagement plan.

·Draft and deliver executive-level communications on behalf of the Chief Operating Officer and executive team, including town halls, leadership briefings, presentations, emails, key messages, and talking points.

·Coordinate cross-functional messaging with HR, Corporate Communications, and business units to ensure consistency, clarity, accuracy, and alignment across communications.

·Translate complex technical concepts, projects, and data into clear, compelling narratives tailored to diverse audiences, including executives, leaders, and employees.

·Manage communications planning and cadence for functional initiatives, including network operations priorities, system implementations, cybersecurity updates, and digital transformation programs, with clear stakeholder mapping, timelines, milestones, and feedback loops.

·Provide strategic communications counsel to the CITO and I&T leadership team, identifying communications risks and supporting proactive stakeholder engagement.

Audit, Administration and People Management

· Oversee townhall and leadership sessions to ensure integrated planning and stakeholder involvement

· Draft, review, and execute communications on behalf of Chief Operating Officer

· Ensure project management practices and principles are followed when launching and running an initiative from start to end

· Ensure change management practices and principles are applied when launching and running business implementation

· Direct leadership and oversight of Operations Audit Manager position

· Alignment of operational audit priorities, deliverables and follow up activities.

· Oversee audit planning, issue escalation and monitoring of management actions

Working Conditions

The role has standard working conditions in an office environment with a regular workweek from Monday to Friday. The role involves managing priorities and delivering work within established timelines, with support from the team to ensure sustainable and effective workload management. The role requires minimal travel (20%) within North America.

Requirements

Experience

Management

· Minimum 5 years of pervious management experience

oExperience interacting with executives

oExperience in strategy development

oExperience in change management

oExperience handling multiple stakeholders

Education/Certification/Designation

· Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration or Operations Management

· Master’s Degree in Business Administration *

· Change Management (PROSCI) certification*

· Project Management (PMP) certification*

Any requirement marked with (*) will be considered an asset (not mandatory)

Competencies

· Demonstrates agility and drives change

· Knows the business and stays current on industry needs

· Collaborates with others and shares information

· Sets direction and inspire others

· Communicates with impact

· Leads by example for the safety and security of all

Technical Skills/Knowledge

· Strong computer skills and knowledge of Systems, Applications, and Products (SAP), Business Warehouse (BW), Microsoft Office suite including Microsoft project, and CN internal Systems

· Knowledge of railroad operations and back-office process

· Strong understanding of technology trends, change management and project management strategies