Project Specialist - Airport Operations

Vancouver Airport Authority; Vancouver; On-site; CAD 85,000 - 111,000; Full time

Job summary

Vancouver Airport Authority seeks a Project Specialist - Airport Operations to lead and support projects that improve efficiency, performance, and continuous improvement across the airport. You will leverage data, analytics, and project management best practices to identify opportunities and deliver tangible business outcomes.

This role emphasizes collaboration with stakeholders across the airport, driving change, and delivering measurable improvements in operational excellence and the passenger

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years in project management, coordination, or business analysis with measurable results.
• Certification in project management and continuous improvement is preferred.
• Experience supporting projects in complex operational environments with reporting.

Responsibilities

• Lead operational excellence initiatives by analyzing data and delivering insights.
• Coordinate and support complex projects including schedules and budgets.
• Develop performance dashboards and reporting for visibility into operations and outcomes.
• Build stakeholder relationships and drive collaboration and change management.
• Apply PM and CI methodologies to optimize airport operations and service delivery.

Skills

Data analysis

Performance reporting

Stakeholder engagement

Project coordination

Risk management

Process improvement

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business or Engineering

PM certification (PMP/PMI or similar)

Tools

Excel

Power BI

Tableau

SQL

Job description

YVR connects people, places, and cargo while delivering a safe and efficient experience for everyone. The Operational Excellence and Improvement team helps ensure airport readiness by advancing operational safety, performance improvement, business resilience, and emergency preparedness, enabling YVR to effectively manage risks, respond to disruptions, and continuously improve operations.

Position Overview

Are you passionate about improving how complex operations perform? As a Project Specialist - Airport Operations, you will help shape the future of airport operations by leading and supporting projects that drive efficiency, performance, and continuous improvement. Working with stakeholders across the airport, you will leverage data, analytics, and project management best practices to identify opportunities, solve operational challenges, and deliver meaningful business outcomes.

This is an exciting opportunity for a collaborative and forward-thinking professional who thrives in a dynamic environment and enjoys turning insights into action to enhance operational excellence and customer experience.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead operational excellence initiatives by analyzing data, monitoring performance, identifying trends and risks, and delivering actionable insights that drive continuous improvement and informed decision-making.
• Coordinate and support the delivery of complex projects by managing project plans, schedules, budgets, resources, risks, and stakeholder communications to achieve successful outcomes.
• Develop and maintain performance reporting and dashboards that provide meaningful visibility into operational effectiveness, project outcomes, resource planning, and improvement opportunities.
• Build and foster strong stakeholder relationships across the organization and with external partners, serving as a trusted advisor and champion for collaboration, change management, and continuous improvement.
• Apply project management, risk management, and process improvement methodologies to optimize airport operations, enhance service delivery, and support strategic business objectives.

Key Qualifications

• At least 5 years of progressive experience in project management, project coordination, business analysis, risk management, and performance reporting, supported by a Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, or a related discipline; an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Professional certification in Project Management (i.e. Project Management Institute, Project Management Association of Canada and Continuous Improvement (i.e. Six Sigma)
• Proven experience supporting and delivering projects in complex operational environments, including project coordination, reporting, risk management, and process improvement.
• Strong analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to transform data into actionable business insights and recommendations.
• Advanced experience with data analysis, performance reporting, dashboards, process mapping, and continuous improvement methodologies, including the ability to present complex information in a clear and meaningful way
• Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to influence, facilitate discussions, and drive change across diverse groups.
• Strong project management, organizational, and relationship-building skills, with a customer-focused mindset and commitment to operational excellence.

Although not required, French language skills are an asset as we are committed to providing bilingual services to our visitors and passengers. This helps us meet federal language obligations while ensuring a welcoming experience. Candidates who do not speak French are still strongly encouraged to apply.

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

Salary Range :

$85,156 to $111,294 per annum, based on 37.5-hour work week. This is individually tailored to reflect your unique experience, qualifications, and internal equity. At YVR, your work experience goes beyond the paycheck. We support your personal and professional development, well-being, and a thriving work culture with generous vacation days, extensive health benefits, retirement savings matching, wellness programs, community engagement, commuting support, and continuous learning opportunities. Learn more at https://careers.yvr.ca/benefits

Who We Are

YVR is more than just an airport. We connect our beautiful province and all it has to offer to the world. We are all leaders and trailblazers for change and innovation, so no matter the department or team you’re a part of, the work you do matters.

At YVR, we are flexible in everything we do. We will work together to find ways to deliver customer excellence that helps us all thrive.

Whatever your background and wherever you’re from, you belong at YVR. If you have any questions about accessibility or require any assistance applying, please reach out at [e-mail].