New Posting - YVR

The Vancouver Airport Authority has a job-share term opportunity (average 50% of 37.5 hrs. per week to June 2014) for a Senior Communications Specialist in the Communications Department. Reporting to the Manager, Corporate Communications, the successful candidate will be responsible for providing communications and media relations services in support of the Airport Authority’s business objectives.
Key responsibilities include:

• Providing media relations services including:
  • Responding to general media requests for information and photos
  • Determining media responses to contentious issues
  • Coordinating media interviews with members of the Executive Committee and management team
  • Preparing spokespersons for interviews
  • Drafting all media materials
  • Pitching proactive media stories and measuring results
  • Acting as spokesperson for the Airport Authority as required
• Managing media conferences and relationships with external agencies that may be involved
• Drafting editorial content for all Airport Authority communications vehicles
• Developing strategic communications plans for various Airport Authority initiatives, emergency and crisis planning, and collateral materials
• Working closely with other Airport Authority departments to provide communications counsel
• Updating existing, and developing new, content for the corporate website and intranet
• Maintaining strong relationships with local media
• Representing the Airport Authority on industry committees and multi-agency teams

Key qualifications include:

• Completion of an undergraduate degree
• 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 target communications to different audiences to fulfil specific purposes
• Strong writing and editing skills
• Solid organizational skills with the ability to meet tight deadlines in a dynamic, fast-paced environment
• Excellent verbal communication skills with the ability to build relationships with both internal and external stakeholders
• Good working knowledge of MS Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel, Photoshop, Illustrator, social media channels and web content management systems

This position is open to Vancouver Airport Authority employees. Previous job performance will be taken into consideration for all candidates that apply for this position.
We are committed to employment equity and welcome applications from everyone, including women, aboriginal peoples, persons with disabilities and members of visible minorities.