Senior Communications Specialist – Media Relations & Issues Management

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

We have a permanent, full-time opportunity for a Senior Communications Specialist – Media Relations & Issues Management. Reporting to the Head of Communications, you are a strategic and collaborative communicator who will play a central role in shaping and delivering YVR’s public voice, sharing our story with key audiences. Working closely with internal teams and external partners you will manage media relations, guide external communications strategy, and ensure our messaging reflects YVR’s priorities, community role, and economic impact.

Key responsibilities include:  

• Collaborate with various internal departments, government agencies, and stakeholders to develop strategic media relations plans that work to secure positive earned media coverage for all YVR initiatives
• Lead YVR media events including plan development, event concept, logistics, stakeholder management (business partners, agencies) and/or coordinate with various levels of government to organize media events and announcements
• Coordinate inbound local, national, international, and trade media requests as well as identifying proactive media opportunities
• Act as spokesperson for the Airport Authority, as required
• Assume a role as a key member of YVR’s Communications Operations Centre in the event of breaking/evolving issues, including outside of regular office hours
• Develop and implement response strategies for irregular operations, operational disruptions and reputational risk
• Provide strategic communications and media counsel to internal teams in support of YVR’s strategic plan and priorities
• Develop key messages and write quotes for the CEO and other senior leaders for inclusion in YVR and partner content
• Oversee and maintain YVR’s Newsroom, ensuring the editorial voice of the organization is reflected and consistent in all content

Key qualifications include:

• Minimum of five years’ relevant experience in communications with an agency or corporate environment, supported by a two-year post-secondary certificate or diploma in Public Relations, Journalism, or a related discipline; or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Expertise in project management, client services delivery, and event execution 
• Proven leadership skills in conflict resolution, trend analysis, and decision-making, with the ability to diplomatically lead meetings and provide strategic counsel to colleagues
• Excellent English writing skills (vocabulary, spelling, mechanics), with a comprehensive working knowledge of Canadian Press (CP) style
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with a focus on building relationships, managing expectations, and confidently providing strategic counsel to leadership

This position is open to 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 : $75,766 to $99,027 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.

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.