Communications Specialist

YVR is a place of connection, bringing together people, places, and cargo while ensuring a safe and efficient experience for everyone. Communications is an integral part to making that happen. We are looking for a proven communications professional who is keen to take initiative and contribute to the high performing, award-winning YVR Communications Team, which is responsible for promoting, protecting, and enhancing YVR’s reputation and advancing our strategic plan in service of the community and economy that supports it.

Position overview 

Are you looking for a new adventure? Keen to lend your expertise and creativity to the many activities that power YVR’s business and operations? Ready to be part of a dynamic team and contribute to meaningful work? We have a permanent, full-time opportunity for a Communications Specialist. Reporting to the Manager, Communications, the successful candidate will be responsible for providing corporate communications, media relations and public affairs services to support our strategic business objectives, including departmental initiatives and capital projects. The successful candidate will also provide issues management services, including identifying and monitoring issues and executing response strategies.

Key responsibilities include:  

• Promote, protect, and enhance the reputation and YVR brand through support with media relations, issues management and public affairs activities.
• Support proactive communications and relationships with key media; maximize opportunities with media and policy leaders in positioning key executives, programs, and initiatives as well as assist with issues management on behalf of the organization; identify, monitor, and execute response strategies.
• Handle media inquiries, write statements, provide key talking points, and coach spokespeople prior to media interviews.
• Collaborate with departments and stakeholders to support the development of comprehensive communications plans; execute on developed plans.
• Draft media materials including news releases, backgrounders, corporate positions on various matters, speeches as well as produce and disseminate written materials for internal and external publications and all online communications tools, including website, blog, social media, and intranet.
• Share responsibility of 24/7 media and social media coverage with key members of the team.

Key qualifications include:

• Completion of an undergraduate degree, or other post-secondary education, supplemented by four or more years’ experience in public relations or corporate communications; or an equivalent combination of education and experience; agency experience considered an asset.
• Proven ability to build relationships with internal and external customers, business partners and the media as well as demonstrated media relations experience; articulate with the ability to understand and deal confidently with the media.
• Understanding of effective communications methods, including the ability to develop communications plans and target communications to different audiences to fulfil specific purposes including a strong understanding of how earned, owned, paid and social media can work independently and together to advance the organization’s goals.
• Solid project management, organizational, planning, and logistical skills with the ability to meet tight deadlines in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
• Knowledge of and experience managing social media and owned media channels, including web publishing including experience with speech writing and preparing presentations.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

This position is open to both Vancouver Airport Authority employees and external applicants. Previous job performance will be taken into consideration for all internal candidates that apply for this position.

As part of our recruitment process, short-listed candidates may be required to participate in an assessment process.

Salary Range : $68,011 to $88,886 per annum, based on 37.5-hour work week. This is individually tailored to reflect your unique experience, qualifications and internal equity.

At YVR, your work experience goes beyond the paycheck. We support your personal and professional development, well-being, and a thriving work culture with generous vacation days, extensive health benefits, retirement savings matching, wellness programs, community engagement, commuting support, and continuous learning opportunities. Learn more at https://careers.yvr.ca/benefits.

Please note that availability may vary based on employment type and is subject to certain eligibility requirements and potential changes by YVR.

YVR is more than just an airport. We connect our beautiful province and all it has to offer to the world. We are all leaders and trailblazers for change and innovation, so no matter the department or team you’re a part of, the work you do matters.

At YVR, we are flexible in everything we do. We will work together to find ways to deliver customer excellence that helps us all thrive.

Whatever your background and wherever you’re from, you belong at YVR. If you have any questions about accessibility or require any assistance applying, please reach out at careers@yvr.ca.