Director, Asset Management

YVR is a place of connection, bringing together people, places and cargo while ensuring a safe and efficient experience for everyone. The Airport Development & Asset Optimization Team serves an integral part of this mission and is responsible for the oversight, performance, and value-maximization of YVR's diverse assets.

Position overview

Reporting to the VP, Airport Development and Asset Optimization, the Director, Asset Management is a key member of the senior leadership team, responsible for advancing and continuously improving YVR's enterprise-wide asset management strategy. By establishing robust governance, data-driven practices, and an effective organizational structure, the Director ensures the airport maximizes the value of its assets and infrastructure while meeting customer needs and fulfilling YVR's purpose of serving the community and economy.

With a commercial and systems-oriented mindset, the Director is accountable for optimizing the total lifecycle costs of YVR's infrastructure and developing multi-year investment plans across all asset classes. This highly strategic role bridges operational, business, financial, and asset planning, contributing directly to organizational priorities and long-term objectives.

A collaborative leader and cross-departmental partner, the Director works closely with teams in Engineering, Project Delivery, Maintenance, IT, Finance, Supply Management, Operations, and others to embed a data- and technology-first mindset across the organization. Leveraging strong analytical and critical thinking skills, the Director translates complex data into actionable insights and evidence-based recommendations.

This pivotal role is fully supported by the Executive Team and requires a leader who fosters innovation and promotes a culture of diversity, equity, reconciliation, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Key responsibilities include:  

• Lead the continued development and implementation of a fit-for-purpose, enterprise-wide Asset Management Program, aligned with the Asset Management Policy and Strategic Asset Management Plan.
• Champion and refine asset management data governance, including policies, standards, and asset data hierarchy; provide leadership in implementing the people, technology, and processes needed to improve asset data quality and completeness.
• Ensure successful delivery and measurable outcomes of YVR's Enterprise Asset Management System (Maximo) improvement project.
• Oversee the development of individual asset management plans and service level agreements, ensuring consistency, alignment, and integration with organizational priorities.
• Develop multi-year capital infrastructure investment plans across all asset classes, aligned with the strategic plan, corporate objectives, financial, operational, and climate priorities; lead the implementation of the Copperleaf Portfolio optimization system.
• Monitor and report on the performance of the Asset Management Program, establishing goals, objectives, KPIs, and a reporting framework to drive continuous improvement.
• Design, implement, and monitor change management strategies to support organizational adoption of asset management principles and practices.
• Drive the ongoing improvement of the Asset Management System by staying abreast of industry best practices, participating in professional networks, and engaging external experts as needed.
• Provide strategic and operational leadership to a team currently comprising two Managers and five staff, including establishing team structure, overseeing recruitment and performance management, coaching and mentoring, and supporting professional development.
• Serve as a cross-functional leader and influencer, providing guidance and promoting consistency in asset management practices, including data governance and plan development—across all departments without direct authority.

Key qualifications include:

• 15+ years of senior leadership experience in asset management within complex, asset-intensive organizations in the public or private sector with a minimum of 5 years in a senior leadership role
• Post-secondary degree in engineering (with P. Eng designation preferred), architecture, project management, business, or a related field; an MBA, PMP, and/or certifications in Asset Management or Maintenance Management are considered strong assets.
• Expertise in capital and infrastructure planning, leveraging technology, data, and systems to drive strategic outcomes.
• Demonstrated success in implementing change management strategies and fostering organizational adoption of innovative asset management practices.
• Knowledge and experience in sustainability, climate action, energy management, and environmental stewardship, with a track record of incorporating ESG principles into decision-making.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to build, develop, and inspire high-performing, agile, and accountable teams in a collaborative and inclusive culture.
• Proven ability to navigate complex organizations, balancing multiple priorities, budgets, and stakeholders while driving transformational initiatives.
• Thought leader with a growth mindset, capable of fostering innovation, transparency, and continuous improvement at all levels of the organization.
• Strong alignment with YVR's values and strategic focus on customer experience, community, and a net-zero future.

Year One Critical Success Factors

• Develop a deep understanding of the Vancouver Airport Authority, its people, departments, strategy, culture, and vision for the future. 
• Refine data governance and information strategy that will ensure successful movement of data through the entire project lifecycle, from procurement to construction, into maintenance and operations.
• Establish consistency across all asset classes and programs.
• Complete development of a strong values-based framework to optimize capital investment driven from asset management plans and the data obtained within the program and integrate with organization-wide prioritization approach