Senior Human Resources Business Partner

Vancouver Airport Authority; Vancouver; On-site; CAD 105,680 - 158,520; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous vacation days

Extensive health benefits

Retirement savings matching

Wellness programs

Continuous learning opportunities

Performance-based incentives

Job summary

The Vancouver Airport Authority is looking for a Senior Human Resources Business Partner to join the People Experience team. This strategic role involves partnering with leaders to align talent strategies with business priorities and drive workforce planning.

Candidates should have a strong background in labor relations, organizational effectiveness, and leadership development, with a minimum of 10 years of progressive senior HR experience in a unionized environment. The role offers a salary range of $105,680 to $158,520 per annum.

We value innovation and inclusiveness, contributing to a thriving workplace that reflects our commitment to excellence.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years of senior level HR experience in a unionized environment.
• Strong business acumen and understanding of organizational operations.
• Experience in managing complex employee and labour relations issues.

Responsibilities

• Act as a senior strategic advisor to business leaders.
• Lead and advise on complex employee and labour relations matters.
• Design and implement enterprise-wide HR programs and policies.

Skills

Strategic advisory

Labour relations

Organizational effectiveness

Leadership development

Change management

Facilitation

Exceptional communication

Project management

Bilingual (French)

Education

CPHR designation

University degree in Human Resources

Job description

In our ever‑changing environment, people will always remain the single most important factor that will help us achieve any strategy going forward. The People Experience team is there to create a foundation to ensure the success of our most valued asset, our people.

Position Overview

At YVR, people are the heart of our success – and shaping the future of travel starts with shaping the future of work. We’re looking for a Senior Human Resources Business Partner to join our People Experience team at a pivotal moment in our transformation.

This is not a traditional HR role. It’s a strategic, business‑focused position where you’ll partner with senior and executive leaders to turn plans into real outcomes. You’ll align talent strategies with business priorities, drive workforce planning for the future, and champion an inclusive, high‑performance culture.

Operating in a complex, unionized environment, you’ll bring expertise in organizational effectiveness, leadership development, and change management. Labour relations is a key part of this portfolio – YVR values its modern, outcome‑focused relationship with the union, and this role plays a key part in sustaining and advancing that relationship. You will bring the judgment, credibility, and experience required to lead through a complex labour environment while supporting innovative, forward‑looking people programs.

We’re looking for someone who is strategically focused, business‑minded, and passionate about shaping the workforce of the future. If you’re someone who thrives on that, and can move seamlessly between strategy and execution and being hands‑on, this is your opportunity to make an impact. Join us and help build a workplace that’s innovative, inclusive, and ready for the future.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as a senior strategic advisor to business leaders, providing expert guidance on workforce, labour, and organisational matters that impact business performance.
• Partner with leaders to identify risks and opportunities, translating business priorities into clear, aligned People Experience strategies.
• Lead and advise on complex employee and labour relations matters, including collective agreement interpretation, investigations, discipline, and resolution strategies.
• Coach, influence, and challenge leaders to strengthen leadership capability, accountability, and organisational effectiveness, using data, insight, and sound judgment to drive results.
• Play a key role in the design, implementation, and evolution of enterprise‑wide HR programmes, policies, and practices that support YVR’s strategy, culture, and future workforce needs.
• Design, implement, and continuously improve enterprise‑wide HR programmes, policies, and processes (e.g., performance management, succession planning, DEIB, workforce planning, engagement) in partnership with Centres of Expertise.
• Serve as a change and transformation partner, leading complex initiatives and cross‑functional projects that advance the HR Talent Strategy and support organisational evolution.
• Lead and contribute to cross‑functional and ad‑hoc initiatives aligned to corporate and People strategies, including organisation‑wide engagement and listening efforts.
• Leverage workforce and engagement data to assess impact, identify trends, and provide actionable insights and recommendations to leaders and People Experience leadership.
• Contribute to the overall strength of the People Experience function by mentoring HR colleagues and providing informal leadership across the team.

Key Qualifications

• A minimum of 10 years of progressive senior‑level HR experience, including business partnering in a complex, fast‑paced, unionised environment.
• CPHR designation and a university degree in Human Resources, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
• Demonstrated strength in labour relations, with experience advising leaders, managing complex issues, and supporting modern labour partnerships.
• Strong business acumen, with a clear understanding of how organisations operate, make decisions, and measure success.
• Proven ability to operate as a trusted advisor to senior leaders, balancing strategic thinking with practical, outcomes‑focused execution.
• Exceptional communication and listening skills, with the confidence to influence, challenge, and facilitate at all levels.
• Strong facilitation and presentation capability, with experience leading discussions that drive clarity and alignment.
• Well‑developed project and change management skills, with the ability to prioritise and adapt in a dynamic, matrixed environment.

Although not required, French language skills are an asset as we are committed to providing bilingual services to our visitors and passengers. Candidates who do not speak French are still strongly encouraged to apply.

Schedule Information

This role is primarily on site, Monday to Friday. While we offer flexibility, it is a strong fit for someone who values in‑person collaboration and prefers to work from the office 4+ days per week.

This position is open to both Vancouver Airport Authority employees and external applicants. Previous job performance will be taken into consideration for all internal candidates that apply for this position. As part of our recruitment process, short‑listed candidates may be required to participate in an assessment process.

Salary Range

$105,680 to $158,520 per annum, based on a 37.5‑hour work week. Actual salary is individually tailored to reflect your specific 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 programmes, community engagement, commuting support, and continuous learning opportunities. Learn more at https://careers.yvr.ca/benefits. Performance‑Based Incentive: Eligible for an annual bonus target at 15% of your annual salary.

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].