YVR - Communications Specialist

 YVR is made up of a team of diverse people who are working collaboratively to reach our goal of Connecting BC Proudly to the World. Safety is at the core of everything we do; we’re innovative, fun, and we invest in our people. We’re a BC Top Employer for 14 years standing, with an abundance of learning and development opportunities, and a holistic approach to wellness. And we’re looking for someone to join our team.

As one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers, Vancouver Airport Authority strives for a workplace that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. We support the Employment Equity Act and take measures to ensure fair employment practices and treatment of employees across our organization. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates, including women, Aboriginal peoples, persons with disabilities and members of visible minorities. We encourage applicants to self-identify with a designated group(s) to support our team in filling gaps in areas where we can be more diverse. We are also happy to provide reasonable accommodations throughout the selection process and while working at YVR. If you require support applying online because you are a person with a disability, please contact us at 604-303-3152 or careers@yvr.ca. Check out the reasons that make us a Top Employer at: https://content.eluta.ca/top-employer-vancouver-airport.

We have a permanent, full-time opportunity for a Communications Specialist, Social Media in the Marketing and Communications Department. Reporting to the Manager, Marketing, the successful candidate will provide communications, media relations and marketing services specifically focused on the development of bilingual social media content to support the Airport Authority’s strategic business objectives.

Key responsibilities include:

• Providing social media services for YVR including:
  • Community manager of all YVR Social channels – French
  • Translating English channel content into engaging French content
  • Sourcing, developing and posting content
  • Responding to all inquiries/comments and/or coordinating with appropriate departments for response/action
  • Identifying growing/pending issues
  • Maintaining strong relationships with key influencers and online media
  • Measuring results, creating benchmarks
  • Providing timely and accurate information during crisis situations
• Lead in coordinating all departmental translation needs using translation agency for website, signage and other materials as appropriate
• Developing strategic social media and online advertising plans for Airport Authority initiatives to drive and support YVR’s business objectives
• Disseminating messaging about Airport Authority projects and initiatives
• Responding to general media requests that come in via social media
• Carrying media phone during off hours and responding as needed
• Supporting the planning and execution of media, corporate and community events
• Providing employees with communications expertise and support that focuses around social media and online tools (everything from strategy to implementation to coaching/training on the tools)
• Liaising with external agencies for support, creative requirements and activations

Key qualifications include:

• Bilingual (English and French), ability to communicate fluently in both languages
• Three to five years’ recent, related experience in public relations, journalism or corporate communications, supplemented by an undergraduate degree or other post-secondary education; or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Exceptional awareness and use of social media tools and metrics including: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Hootsuite
• Working knowledge of, and experience with, web back-end systems such as HTML, WordPress, Sitecore or Sitefinity MS Office Suite and Photoshop preferred
• Exceptional skills in professional and social media writing (corporate, media and web based) including ability to target communications to different audiences to fulfil specific purposes
• Experience working with and building relationships with key bloggers and online influencers
• Demonstrated media relations experience; articulate with the ability to understand and deal confidently with the media
• Strong understanding of working in an 24/7 operational environment
• Solid organizational, planning and logistical skills with the ability to meet tight deadlines in a dynamic, fast-paced environment

On occasion, you will be required to work flexible hours, including weekends and evenings.

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