Bilingual Communications Specialist

About Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA)

The Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA) is the largest airline pilot union and non-governmental aviation safety organization globally, representing over 80,000 pilots across 42 U.S. and Canadian airlines.

Role Overview: Bilingual Communications Specialist

The Bilingual Communications Specialist provides crucial strategic and tactical communications support to the Association, International Committees, and Master Executive Councils (MECs). This role is instrumental in developing effective pilot communications plans and offering professional communications support across various domains.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and strategic counsel to pilot groups, guiding the development, packaging, placement, and timing of communications to advance MEC goals.
• Execute programs and campaigns supporting collective bargaining and advocacy priorities for pilot groups.
• Offer tactical communication support in media relations, social media strategy and execution, paid digital media strategy and procurement, community/stakeholder relations, and other outreach efforts.
• Exercise leadership and initiative, influence decision-making, and ensure project benchmarks and deadlines are consistently met.
• Transform complex issues into clear, concise communications for diverse audiences in Canada and the U.S., utilizing strong bilingual (French/English) writing and problem-solving skills.
• Seek out new methods to deliver pertinent messaging to various audiences and determine effective media vehicles.
• Write and edit copy for email, video, and social media, coordinating multiple media projects simultaneously.
• Anticipate the need for new video and motion graphic messaging across pilot groups.
• Collaborate with ALPA staff to translate aviation-specific legal, economic, and safety data into visual narratives for multi-channel video and graphic content.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, English, Journalism, Marketing, Public Relations, or a related field; master’s degree preferred.
• Three (3) years of experience in a communications role at ALPA or an equivalent advocacy/communications position, with five (5) or more years strongly preferred.
• Full professional or bilingual fluency in both oral and written French and English, including the ability to translate between languages.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills for effective interaction with staff, external contacts, and pilots.
• Strong time management skills, ability to work independently in a fast-paced, multi-tasking environment, and a positive attitude.
• Experience planning and implementing effective social media and PR/education campaigns.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, basic videography, audio, and video editing.
• Familiarity with Adobe Photoshop, Premiere, Illustrator, InDesign, and Vyond is desirable. Knowledge of Sitecore, Evoq, and/or HTML is a plus.

Preferred Qualifications

• Aviation and/or labour union experience and/or knowledge.
• Ability to interpret and disseminate complex information regarding aviation safety, labour contracts, and collective bargaining for public understanding.
• Professional demeanor to address complex issues, establish credibility in challenging circumstances, and positively influence members, media, and other audiences.
• Strong track record in developing, executing, and evolving comprehensive and proactive communications plans and campaigns.
• Ability to develop and execute multi-media strategies that build awareness and support for key pilot group initiatives.
• Knowledge of ALPA policies, processes, structure, and strategic plans.

Physical Demands

This role involves constant computer/smartphone/tablet operation, maintaining stationary positions, moving about the office and local metropolitan area, and conversing to exchange information. Regular sitting, standing, bending, reaching, and local/national/international travel are required. Occasional movement of items up to ten pounds (e.g., binders, books) and up to 50 lbs. (luggage while traveling) may be necessary.

Benefits

ALPA offers a competitive salary with enhanced benefits, including:

• Non-elective employer contributions of 14% to individual RRSP accounts after 180 days of employment.
• 15 days paid vacation, 13 holidays, and 2 volunteer days per year.
• Generous sick and bereavement leave.
• Company-paid premiums for family supplemental health care (medical, dental, prescription, vision), life insurance, critical illness coverage, and long-term disability insurance.
• Education Assistance Program reimbursing 100% of eligible expenses.
• Partial remote work opportunities available after six months of service.

Key skills/competency

• Bilingual Communication (French/English)
• Strategic Communications
• Media Relations
• Social Media Strategy
• Content Creation
• Advocacy Campaigns
• Digital Advertising
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Video Production
• Crisis Communication