Director, Infrastructure Stakeholder Engagement and Strategy

Greater Toronto Airports Authority•Toronto, ON

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) is seeking a Director, Infrastructure Stakeholder Engagement & Strategy to develop and lead stakeholder engagement strategies for one of Canada's largest and most complex airport infrastructure programs. This role is critical in ensuring stakeholder perspectives are understood and integrated into project planning and delivery, advancing Toronto Pearson's long-term infrastructure objectives. The Director will work with senior leaders and project teams to mature stakeholder engagement frameworks, relationship management strategies, and stakeholder intelligence capabilities. This role also involves leading and developing a high-performing team and providing strategic advice on stakeholder risks, reputational considerations, and engagement priorities for a growing capital program.

Requirements

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.

Responsibilities

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.