Description
The BC Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA) represents 48 private-sector waterfront employers, including terminal operators, ship owners, and agents, who power British Columbia’s ports from Victoria to the Alaska border. Operating 24/7, our members keep Canada’s West Coast ports safe, reliable, and competitive. Together, they support more than 9,400 high-quality jobs and handle over $1.1 billion in daily cargo, accounting for nearly half of Canada’s overseas trade. To keep the global supply chain moving efficiently, BCMEA delivers specialized expertise in safety and training, workforce dispatch, labour relations, and data analytics. This is a truly pivotal moment for Canada’s trade and supply chain economy, and an exceptional opportunity for a communications leader to make an impact. As Canada navigates an increasingly complex global trade environment, including heightened tensions and tariffs with the United States, the strategic importance of British Columbia’s ports has never been greater. The Director, Communications will play a critical role in shaping how BCMEA and the waterfront industry are understood by government, media, industry partners, members, and the public. This newly elevated leadership role provides a rare opportunity to influence the narrative around an industry that moves $1.1 billion in cargo every day and is fundamental to Canada’s economic prosperity. The successful candidate will translate complex operational, labour, policy, and supply chain issues into clear, compelling communications; position BCMEA effectively on issues of national importance; and ensure the Association’s voice is heard when it matters most. The Director, Communications leads BCMEA’s communications strategy and protects and strengthens the Association’s reputation with members, government, media, employees, industry partners, stakeholders, and the public. The role brings clarity and credibility to complex maritime, labour relations, safety, workforce, training, and supply chain issues, while providing trusted strategic counsel to senior leadership. Strong editorial judgment, message discipline, political and media instincts, and the ability to perform under pressure will be essential. This is an expanded mandate that consolidates BCMEA’s communications function, adding strategic counsel, issues management, executive messaging, media positioning, and reputation leadership to its existing foundation. Reporting directly to the Vice President, Government and Public Affairs, the Director, Communications will work closely with the Director, Public Affairs & Corporate Social Responsibility and the Senior Manager, Government and Regulatory Affairs to advance BCMEA’s broader public affairs strategy. The ideal candidate is a seasoned, highly capable communications professional and trusted advisor with a deep track record of navigating complex, high-stakes environments. They bring exceptional judgment, powerful storytelling, resilience, and the ability to remain composed and effective under sustained pressure in a dynamic, 24/7 operational environment. They are equally comfortable setting strategy and rolling up their sleeves to execute, and have a natural ability to bring diverse stakeholders together around a common purpose. Whether their background is in corporate communications, public affairs, government, a regulated industry, transportation, or journalism, they will bring both the strategic vision to shape messaging and the collaborative leadership required to build strong, trusted relationships across the organization and beyond.
Applications: https://pfmsearch.com/executive-opportunity/bc-maritime-employers-association-director-communications/
