Senior Human Resources Business Partner

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 our modern, outcome-focused relationship with our 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 include:

• Act as a senior strategic advisor to business leaders, providing expert guidance on workforce, labour, and organizational 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 organizational effectiveness, using data, insight, and sound judgment to drive results.
• Play a key role in the design, implementation, and evolution of enterprise-wide HR programs, policies, and practices that support YVR’s strategy, culture, and future workforce needs.
• Design, implement, and continuously improve enterprise-wide HR programs, 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 organizational evolution.
• Lead and contribute to cross-functional and ad hoc initiatives aligned to corporate and People strategies, including organization-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 include:

• A minimum of 10 years of progressive senior level HR experience, including business partnering in a complex, fast-paced, unionized 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 organizations 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 prioritize 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. This helps us meet federal language obligations while ensuring a welcoming experience. 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.