Director, Infrastructure Stakeholder Engagement and Strategy

Toronto Pearson International Airport; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits

RRSP/TFSA options

Flexible hybrid work environment

Learning opportunities

Recognition program

Job summary

Toronto Pearson International Airport is seeking a Director, Infrastructure Stakeholder Engagement & Strategy to lead engagement for major airport infrastructure. You will shape strategies, mapping, and relationships across governments, Indigenous communities, regulators, and industry partners to advance long-term capital objectives.

You will supervise a high-performing team, manage risks, and partner with cross-functional teams to deliver stakeholder-informed outcomes within a complex, dynamic

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive experience in stakeholder relations or related fields.
• Experience supporting major infrastructure or public-sector capital programs.
• Proven ability to develop and execute stakeholder engagement strategies.
• 5+ years of leadership experience managing teams.
• Strong political acuity and relationship-building skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and lead stakeholder engagement strategies for major airport infrastructure.
• Establish stakeholder mapping, relationships, and engagement planning frameworks.
• Build trusted relationships with governments, regulators, airport partners, Indigenous communities, and business groups.
• Provide strategic advice to senior leadership on stakeholder dynamics and reputational risks.
• Lead stakeholder intelligence, risk assessment, and issue management processes.
• Collaborate with project delivery teams to identify stakeholder impacts and mitigation strategies.
• Translate complex technical information into clear stakeholder-focused strategies.
• Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing team with a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder relations

Communication

Policy/Regulatory understanding

Negotiation

Strategic thinking

Relationship-building

Education

University degree in Public Affairs or related field

Job description

Toronto Pearson is transforming. Now's the time for your career to fly.

The Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) is a unique and dynamic place to work, with a bold plan to make Toronto Pearson, Canada's leading global hub airport, a global leader in airport performance, customer care and sustainability. Together with our partners, approximately 2,100 GTAA employees are working to create a next-generation airport by innovating in all we do and striving for the most uplifting, safe and efficient experience for our passengers – all while championing the prosperity of our people, the community we call home, and our aviation partners. Join us on our journey together, as we put the joy back into travel and make Toronto Pearson the chosen place to fly and work.

What's in it for you?

• An opportunity to grow, develop, and thrive within a dynamic, and fast-growing company alongside thoughtful and passionate individuals dedicated to their work and community.
• Comprehensive benefits, including a flexible retirement program with employer matching, along with voluntary savings options (RRSP, TFSA, and Non-Registered Savings Plans).
• A flexible hybrid work environment, continuous internal and external learning opportunities, and a meaningful reward and recognition program.

What can you expect from this position?

Reporting to the Executive Director, Stakeholder Relations & Community Impact, the Director, Infrastructure Stakeholder Engagement & Strategy is responsible for developing and leading stakeholder engagement strategies that support one of Canada's largest and most complex airport infrastructure programs. You will play a critical role in ensuring stakeholder perspectives, opportunities, risks, and issues are effectively understood and integrated into project planning and delivery while advancing Toronto Pearson's long-term infrastructure objectives. Working closely with senior leaders, project delivery teams, and other resources, you will mature stakeholder engagement frameworks, relationship management strategies, and stakeholder intelligence capabilities that support successful project outcomes across all stakeholder groups including government partners, Indigenous communities, as well as airport and industry partners. You will also lead and develop a high-performing team while providing strategic advice on stakeholder risks, reputational considerations, and engagement priorities across a growing capital program.

As a Director, Infrastructure Stakeholder Engagement & Strategy, you will:

• Develop and lead stakeholder engagement strategies that support major airport infrastructure initiatives and align with organizational priorities and project delivery objectives.
• Establish and enhance stakeholder mapping, relationship management, and engagement planning frameworks to support a growing capital program.
• Build and maintain trusted relationships with governments, regulators, airport partners, tenants, Indigenous communities, community organizations, industry associations, and business groups.
• Provide strategic advice and recommendations to senior leadership regarding stakeholder dynamics, emerging issues, reputational risks, and engagement priorities.
• Lead stakeholder intelligence, risk assessment, and issue management processes to identify trends, opportunities, and potential barriers to project success.
• Partner with project delivery teams, consultants, and contractors to proactively identify stakeholder impacts, engagement requirements, and mitigation strategies throughout the project lifecycle.
• Translate complex technical, operational, and project information into clear stakeholder-focused engagement strategies and actionable recommendations.
• Promote consistency in stakeholder engagement practices, issue escalation processes, and stakeholder commitments across multiple infrastructure projects.
• Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing team while fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Support the evolution of stakeholder engagement capabilities, tools, processes, and organizational capacity required to deliver a world-class infrastructure program.

This is the role for you, if you have:

• 10+ years of progressive experience in stakeholder relations, public engagement, community relations, public affairs, government relations, communications, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience supporting major infrastructure, aviation, transportation, transit, utility, energy, or public-sector capital programs.
• Experience developing and executing stakeholder engagement strategies and relationship management frameworks within complex organizations or projects.
• Proven success building, improving, or leading stakeholder engagement functions, programs, or systems.
• Experience managing stakeholder risks, competing priorities, complex issues, and reputational considerations in high-profile environments.
• 5+ years of leadership experience managing teams directly and/or leading cross-functional initiatives and stakeholders.
• Strong political acuity, stakeholder management, facilitation, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.
• Exceptional communication skills with the ability to influence, build consensus, and advise senior leaders on complex stakeholder matters.
• A university degree in Public Affairs, Communications, Political Science, Public Administration, Planning, Business, Environmental Studies, Community Engagement, or a related discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated experience working in a customer-centric environment.
• Ability to obtain and retain Transportation Security Clearance at the designated level for the position.

The GTAA is committed to Employment Equity and maintaining a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive.

This position is exempt from Ontario's 2026 pay transparency requirements under Regulation 476/24.