Manager, External Communications

Detailed Job Description

JOIN US IN ENABLING TRADE THROUGH CANADA'S LARGEST PORT.

The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority is an arm’s-length federal agency responsible for the shared stewardship of the lands and waters that make up the Port of Vancouver, Canada’s largest port. Our mandate, as outlined in the Canada Marine Act, is to enable Canada’s trade objectives on behalf of all Canadians, ensuring the safe movement of goods through the Port of Vancouver while protecting the environment and considering local communities.

As an organization with a significant impact on communities and businesses across Canada, the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority is dedicated to diversity, inclusion, and sustainability. We strive to create a workplace that mirrors the richness of our community, empowering all employees to achieve their full potential.

Reporting to the Director, External and First Nations Relations, the Manager, External Communications provides leadership, direction and management to the port authority’s strategic communications team on issues management, media relations, executive communications, and project and program communications. This position works closely with internal departments to provide strategic communications counsel, maintain awareness of projects and initiatives taking place across the organization, and ensure internal and external communication programs are strategic, coordinated and aligned.

What You Do

• Work with departments across the organization to identify opportunities for increased focus on appropriate transparency and responsiveness, with a goal to increase stakeholder support and support organizational priorities and reputation
• Develop and leverage strategic content across multiple communication opportunities
• Explore ways to improve clarity in our communications, ensuring a strong narrative and alignment with our purpose, corporate strategy and responsiveness to key issues
• Continue to create compelling content for various channels, working with other departments and subject matter experts to ensure information is up-to-date and presented in clear, relatable language
• Ensure day-to-day media relations activities reflect efficiency, effectiveness and appropriate transparency including daily media summary and routine mainstream media requests
• Assess media opportunities to determine participation and subsequently provide the recommended response
• Continue to train and coach spokespeople for media interviews
• Seek opportunities to educate and build relationships with reporters
• Work with trade development department to manage trade publication requests
• Develop and manage communication plans to support port authority-led infrastructure projects (in both planning and construction phases), taking into consideration the needs of key audiences, key message development and delivery, media responses, issues management, promotions and website content.
• Develop and manage public engagement plans to support port authority-led infrastructure projects and meet the guidelines set out by the port authority’s project and environmental review (PER) process.
• Ensure external audiences, including communities, stakeholders and Indigenous groups are informed and engaged in a timely manner, and that appropriate action is taken to address feedback, mitigate construction-related impacts.
• Provide strategic advice and collaboration on the port authority’s approach during regulatory processes, including issues management and stakeholder and public engagement
• Ensure consistency between project communications and corporate communications, media and government relations functions
• Develop and execute robust communication plans to increase awareness of the port authority’s safety, operations, property and environmental programs, including the ECHO Program
• Create strategic content to highlight program-specific goals and initiatives
• Work with subject matter experts to ensure information is up-to-date and presented in clear, relatable language
• Responsible for the development and delivery of public engagement for the Project and Environmental review process associated with proposed works and activities on land and water managed by the port authority. This includes review and evaluation of stakeholder and/or public consultation conducted by the port authority and/or third parties under the Project and Environmental Review, as well as port authority strategic planning and development initiatives and other tasks as needed Maximize executive profile opportunities by working with departments across the organization to identify opportunities
• Craft presentations and speaking remarks that are engaging, appropriately targeted for audiences, and that grow awareness of our strategic priorities
  
  
  

What You Bring

• Must have a university degree in communications, political science or another acceptable degree.
• A minimum of five years of experience in issues management, media relations, and delivering effective strategic communications in a corporate environment or public relations agency.
• Must have experience leading communications initiatives, developing relevant messages for a variety of audiences, and a strong customer service orientation, while managing a breadth of responsibilities and providing strategic counsel to internal departments.
• Must have experience managing teams, with a track record of inspiring teamwork and solid results.
• Must be a self-motivated individual with excellent interpersonal skills, strong leadership qualities and strategic awareness, with the ability to manage multiple team members and portfolios in a fast-paced, time-sensitive environment.
• Must have strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills, and be confident making informed decisions and strategic recommendations, as a trusted advisor to others in the organization.
• Must represent the port authority professionally and with diplomacy, as a collaborative and accountable leader, while fostering the development of all these competencies in emerging leaders.
  
  
  

What We Offer

• Market-competitive base salaries and variable incentive plan
• Generous and inclusive benefits offering including retirement benefits plan
• Flexible remote work program
• Earned time off program
• Paid vacation and personal care leave
• Learning, development, and advancement opportunities
• Onsite gym with towel service in a national landmark in the heart of Vancouver’s waterfront
• Friendly, unique, and respectful workplace
  
  
  

Location: Vancouver, Canada

Job type: Exempt, Full-Time, Permanent, Hybrid

Working environment: Normal office conditions, with some evening and weekend activities. During an emergency, 24-hour call availability may be required.

This is Canadian-based employment, and it is expected that all employees maintain legal entitlement to work in Canada. Applicants selected to move forward in the hiring process may be subject to background checks, including but not limited to criminal record, credit, and/or reference checks.

At the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, we are dedicated to employment equity and a workplace reflective of the diversity of our port community. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates including women, persons with disabilities, Indigenous peoples, and members of visible minorities. Reasonable accommodation can be provided in the selection process and while working with the port authority. If you require support applying to our openings, please contact us at [email protected].

We recognize and acknowledge that we are located on the traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. To learn more about our indigenous relations and commitment to reconciliation, please visit our website.