Senior Manager, Contracts and Risk Management

About Us

The Department of Emergency Management leads disaster and emergency planning, preparedness, response, and recovery efforts across Nova Scotia, ensuring residents are safe, resilient, and able to rebuild after disasters. We coordinate critical incident response, manage the province’s 911 service, maintain communications infrastructure, and support regional emergency management operations.

Our Regional Operations and Infrastructure Branch enhances safety and resilience by:

• Strengthening critical communications infrastructure.
• Supporting regional emergencies and municipal REMOs.
• Preparing six Regional Emergency Operations Centres.
• Educating communities on emergency preparedness.
• Fostering collaboration with regional partners, including NS Guard networks.

Within this branch, our Public Safety Field Communications (PSFC) group manages radio and data communications for first responders, government departments, municipalities, and utility providers through critical infrastructure and network operations.

About Our Opportunity

PSFC are currently seeking a Manager of Contracts and Risk Management to manage planning and delivery of three key aspects of PSFCs programs – Trunked Mobile Radio Contract Management, Tower Infrastructure Program Management, and Risk/Business Continuity Management.

The Trunked Mobile Radio contract management function supports effective vendor management of a highly complex contracted radio network, which supports over 20,000 public safety and public works personnel at all three levels of government. The Tower Infrastructure Program manages 61 telecommunication towers across the province providing critical wireless services to some of the most rural areas of Nova Scotia, including over 50 agreements for third-party access to the sites. In addition to daily operations, and because of the critical public safety nature of the services delivered, each of these program areas requires effective business continuity planning, and risk management practices in relation to cyber security, physical, and business risks and threats.

Primary Accountabilities

You will lead a team, and work with a wide variety of partners, stakeholders, and colleagues to ensure effective management of a multitude of contracts which support service delivery within various portfolios of activity, including contracts with municipalities, federal users, the private sector, and other Atlantic Provinces. In addition you will:

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• Provide daily management and leadership of the Trunked Mobile Radio Contract including performance management, and contract change processes.
• Provide planning and visioning in these areas, and overall corporate support to the entire division (including preparation of budget proposals, business cases, and policy proposals).
• Build senior level relationships across the vendor and stakeholder community, guiding internal and external communications practices, and aligning contracts and procurement activities with the strategic goals of the organization.
• Lead and coordinate business continuity planning activities for all areas of PSFC (Trunked Mobile Radio, Infrastructure Operations, and Dispatch Services), and 
• Provide effective risk management, analysis, tracking, and mitigation activities related to program risks, infrastructure risks, and technology risks within the division, with a specific focus on cyber-security risks.

Qualifications and Experience

First and foremost, the successful candidate will take pride in high quality service delivery, and be focused on aligning operations with strategy. The candidate must be comfortable making difficult decisions in ambiguous situations, and know how to build and leverage relationships to achieve organizational goals.

You have a bachelor’s degree in science, Commerce, technology, or another related discipline and several years’ relevant experience. An equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered. Relevant experience must include experience working in the management of major telecommunications or IT networks, or managing technical or public safety related contracts, including contract negotiations. Leadership and management of team members is essential.

You must have superior communications skills along with relationship management skills.

The following qualifications or experience would be considered assets:

• Masters Degree in a related field
• Public safety radio experience
• Knowledge of APCO P25 radio systems
• Business continuity planning or risk management experience
• Experience with procurement and/or management of large and complex contracts
• Experience with Nova Scotia’s “Trunked Mobile Radio” system
• Cyber security experience

LEADS

The Government of Nova Scotia has adopted the LEADS Leadership Framework. During the interview, candidates will be expected to express how they have demonstrated the key behaviors and capabilities required to effectively lead in a caring and inclusive environment. LEADS Domains include Leads Self, Engage Others, Achieve Results, Develop Coalitions, and Systems Transformation.

Please follow LEADS for more information.

We will assess the above qualifications and competencies using one or more of the following tools: written examination, standardized tests, oral presentations, interview(s), and reference checks

Equivalency

We recognize equivalent combinations of training, education, and experience, providing opportunities for individuals with diverse backgrounds to contribute their skills and expertise. Applicants relying on education and experience equivalencies must demonstrate such equivalencies in their application.

Benefits

Based on the employment status, the Government of Nova Scotia offers its employees a wide range of benefits such as a Defined Benefit Pension Plan, Health, Dental, Life Insurance, General illness, Short and Long Term Disability, Vacation and Employee and Family Assistance Programs.  For information on all our Benefit program offerings, click here: Benefits for government employees

Working Conditions

• Normal work week is 35 hours/week, 7 hours/day 
• May be required to work overtime on occasion, especially during emergencies and disasters  
• May participate in a standby rotation
• Some travel is required, normally within Province and occasionally within Atlantic Canada

Additional Information

This is a TERM employment opportunity with an anticipated end date of April 15, 2026.  

What We Offer

• Career Development where you have access to career guidance, tools, resources, and ongoing training for every stage of your career
• Engaging workplace: our Employees feel valued, respected, connected, and tuned in, we have forward-thinking policies and strategies
• Countless career paths