Advisor, Internal Communications and Change

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.

The Advisor, Internal Communications & Change is responsible for the strategic planning, development, and delivery of employee communications and change initiatives. Working closely with the manager, employee & labour relations, this role will be required to manage communications relating to confidential matters related to labour relations at the port authority. Specifically, the advisor, internal communications & change partners closely with departments across the organization to provide strategic advice and guidance on internal communications, change management, and implementation of employee and labour relations best practices. The role is responsible for ensuring that employees have access to the right information, at the right time, in the right way, and that they understand their role in helping to drive the port authority’s mandate, vision and strategic priorities.

What you do:

• Work with key stakeholders and confidential information, the disclosure of which would adversely affect the port authority, to develop complex internal communication strategies and plans that help drive understanding, awareness, support, and buy-in.
• Ensure all employee communications and engagement activities are planned, coordinated and delivered in line with our internal systems and processes
• Ensure that the internal communications calendar, master internal communications plan and project plans are kept up-to-date and accurate
• Lead the development and delivery of internal communications in a timely and effective manner, helping connect employees to our mission, vision, and values
• Draft, adapt and publish communications across a range of channels including HubTalk, the Hub intranet site, email, video, town hall meetings, webinars, and events
• Develop confidential communications in support of key organizational changes, including matters relating to labour relations, grievances, arbitrations, and collective bargaining where the disclosure of the confidential information would adversely affect the port authority
• Conduct interviews, carry out research, proof, edit and prepare communication, including briefing notes, presentations, and agendas on behalf of key stakeholders and senior leaders
• Development of consistent, aligned key messages across the organization
• Proof, edit, review, drafts, and provide feedback on communications, ensuring that there is clarity of message, and the tone of voice and style is aligned with our brand guidelines
• Partner with internal clients to build effective working relationships and provide high-quality, professional communications services in support of business strategies and plans, and change management initiatives
• Provide specialist advice on the interpretation and application of internal communications best practice, and approaches for optimizing change and engagement, helping to build capability and develop managers as effective communicators
• Develop stakeholder engagement plans, identify stakeholder needs/issues/concerns and develop strategies to support the communication of business information and decisions
• Work closely with external communications to ensure that internal and external communications are effectively planned and coordinated, and messages are aligned
• Drive employee engagement by contributing to the development and implementation of internal communications programs and initiatives
• Apply a structured change management approach and methodology aligned with the organizational approach to change management
• Lead the development of department and project change management communication plans, sponsor roadmaps, stakeholder assessments, training plans, and proactive communication plans
• Ensure support for change management initiative by providing analysis, communications expertise to assess needs and opportunities to optimize employee engagement
• Ensures two-way communication and engagement through feedback and uses analytics and data to prepare reports, and summarize information to help measure the effectiveness of internal communications
• Analyze feedback and respond to comments and questions from employees online in a timely manner, helping ensure that employees are engaged and have a voice

What you bring:

• Completion of a degree in marketing, communications, public relations, or another acceptable discipline from a recognized educational institution.
• A minimum of four years’ experience in internal communications, change management, or organizational development role.
• Demonstrated working experience with department, divisional or organizational wide program communications and change management.
• Experience and knowledge of change management principles, methodologies and tools.
• Advanced PowerPoint skills. Change management certification or designation desired; Prosci Certification would be an asset.
• Previous experience working in an unionized environment would be an asset.
• Must possess tact, diplomacy, and the ability to deal with confidential, sensitive and employment related issues.
• Must be able to clearly articulate messages to a variety of audiences through a variety of mediums. Ability to establish and maintain collaborative and productive relationships with all stakeholders and have the ability to influence others and move toward a common vision or goal.
• Must have acute business acumen and an understanding of organizational issues and challenges.
• Must exhibit a strong orientation towards customer service and be highly motivated to work both independently and in a team environment.

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.

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 careers@portvancouver.com .

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 .