Associate Director, Airport & Aviation Policy

Job Summary

The Associate Director, Airport & Aviation Policy at the Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) is a high-level strategic leadership role positioned at the intersection of government relations, urban planning, and aviation operations. Reporting to the Director, Government Relations and Aviation Policy, you are the primary architect of the policy positions that will define the future of Toronto Pearson (YYZ). This role requires the “wit” to navigate complex multi-jurisdictional politics (Federal, Provincial, Municipal) and the “grit” to manage sensitive community issues like noise management while driving large-scale infrastructure modernization.

Job Details

• Employer: Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA).

• Location: Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ), ON.

• Position Type: Full-time.

• Experience: 8+ years in government policy, advocacy, or regulatory affairs.

• Education: University or Master’s degree in Planning, Urban Design, or a related field preferred.

• Core Mandate: Leading government/stakeholder relations and policy development for airport development, land use, and aviation strategy.

Key Responsibilities

• Policy Advocacy: Create and implement evidence-informed policy positions across key domains: Aviation, Transportation/Transit, Land Use Planning, and Sustainability.

• Executive Advisory: Provide strategic counsel to the GTAA Executive Team on regulatory functions, airport security, and land use developments impacting YYZ.

• Noise Management Leadership: Oversee the Noise Management Office, managing staff, equipment (ANOMS), and community engagement to balance operational needs with local impacts.

• Stakeholder Diplomacy: Develop and maintain high-level relationships with elected and non-elected government officials and industry partners.

• Strategic Project Management: Lead multi-disciplinary teams through complex business transformations and modernization initiatives.

• Data-Driven Research: Oversee qualitative and quantitative research to produce briefing notes, board presentations, and socio-economic impact reports.

• Regulatory Compliance: Ensure all operational initiatives align with applicable legislation, government policies, and federal aviation directives.

Candidate Profile

• The “Policy Veteran”: 8 years of experience, ideally within a government environment, successfully navigating complex political and executive landscapes.

• Leadership Wit: Exceptional political acuity, diplomacy, and the ability to negotiate “Integrity-first” solutions across competing interests.

• Technical Proficiency: Deep understanding of the socio-economic principles of aviation and regional planning; mastery of large-scale data research methodologies.

• Organizational Grit: Proven ability to prioritize competing demands and adapt to emerging legislative opportunities in a fast-paced environment.

• Clearance: Must be able to obtain and retain a Transport Canada Security Clearance.

Technical Insights: The Airport Policy Ecosystem

Managing policy for a global hub like Pearson requires an understanding of “Layered Governance.”

• Land Use & Aerodrome Safeguarding: You must protect the airport’s “Obstacle Limitation Surfaces” (OLS) to ensure that municipal high-rise developments or transit projects do not interfere with flight paths.

• ANOMS & Noise Mitigation: Utilizing the Aircraft Noise and Operations Monitoring System (ANOMS), you correlate flight data with ground-based noise sensors to validate community concerns and drive noise-abatement procedures.

• Multimodal Integration: A key focus is the “Regional Transit Center” concept, advocating for policies that integrate heavy rail, light rail, and bus networks into the airport terminal.

Job Description

Do you believe that the future of a global city is written on its runways and in its transit corridors? The Greater Toronto Airports Authority is seeking an Associate Director, Airport & Aviation Policy to help lead Canada’s busiest gateway into its next generation. We aren’t just managing an airport; we are championing the prosperity of the entire Southern Ontario region. If you have the “grit” to lead a sensitive community town hall on noise management and the “wit” to draft a federal policy brief on aviation sustainability, you belong at YYZ.

In this role, you are a “Strategic Navigator.” You understand that for Toronto Pearson to thrive, it needs a regulatory environment that supports innovation, transit connectivity, and community harmony. Your goal is to provide “Excellence in Policy Advocacy,” ensuring our board and executive team have the evidence-informed insights they need to make bold moves. We look for “Integrity-first” collaborative leaders who are ready to mentor a high-impact team and put the “joy” back into travel through smart, human-centered policy.

Joining the GTAA means joining a diverse team of 2,100 professionals dedicated to making Pearson a global leader in performance and sustainability. We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including retirement planning and professional development, in a work environment where your contribution truly matters. If you are a policy professional with a commitment to “Innovation and Community Prosperity,” we invite you to join us on this journey.

Greater Toronto Airports Authority: Connecting a Global Hub

The Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) operates Toronto Pearson International Airport, Canada’s largest and busiest transportation hub. Its culture is defined by a commitment to “The Airport of the Future,” prioritizing safety, operational excellence, and sustainability. As a perennial Forbes “Canada’s Best Employer,” the GTAA fosters a collaborative, high-performance environment where innovation and diversity are celebrated. Employees work toward a shared mission of creating an “uplifting” experience for over 50 million annual passengers.

Headquartered at 3111 Convair Drive in Mississauga, Ontario, the office sits on the perimeter of the sprawling airport grounds. This location offers a unique workspace where the rhythm of global aviation is palpable. Working here provides a front-row seat to the massive scale of international trade and travel, all within the heart of Canada’s most populous and diverse metropolitan region.