Position overview

We have a full-time, term/acting assignment opportunity (to December 31, 2025) for a Senior Communications Specialist – Media Lead. Reporting to the Manager, Communications, the successful candidate will work closely with subject matter experts across many of YVR’s internal teams including, but not limited to operations, government relations, air service development, and those connected to the airport’s service agencies. The role also liaises with a wide range of external contacts, such as airline representatives and external aviation sector specialists.

Performance of this role includes taking responsibility for leadership, strategic direction, service delivery and adherence to corporate voice and messages to ensure both proactive and reactive media relations, content and programming consistently conveys YVR’s strategic priorities, position, and role in the community and the economy that supports it.

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, such as airline inaugural events, capital construction projects and openings, commercial partner openings, and operational plan updates

• 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

• Contribute to crisis and issues response activities during business hours and while on call, including evaluating and responding to operational and reputational matters, providing senior communications support and media response

• Evaluate communications requests and needs from internal clients and external partners, using analytical and creative thinking to provide strategic counsel on communications strategy, tactics, timing, and measurement to ensure effective results in support of YVR’s strategic plan and priorities

• Provide measurement and reporting to demonstrate effectiveness of programs and tactics

• Oversee and maintain YVR’s Newsroom, ensuring the editorial voice of the organization is reflected and consistent in all content, including articles, media materials, and corporate videos

Key qualifications include:

• Ability to analyze, process and interpret large amounts of often technical content to tease out narratives and storylines

• Excellent English writing skills (vocabulary, spelling, mechanics), with a comprehensive working knowledge of Canadian Press (CP) style

• Strong judgement and leadership skills as well as conflict resolution, analyzing trends and solid decision making plus the ability to diplomatically lead meetings and provide counsel to colleagues

• Expertise in project management, client services delivery and event execution

• Completion of at minimum two-year post-secondary certificate or diploma in public relations, journalism, communications, business or a related field, supplemented by five or more years of relevant work experience with an agency or corporation; or an equivalent combination of education and experience

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: Band 7, $73,628 to $96,233 per annum, based on 37.5-hour work week. This is individually tailored to reflect your unique experience, qualifications and internal equity.

Who We Are

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

Reference no. 25-20
To apply: https://careers.yvr.ca/en