Allied Health Support Manager

About Us

At the Department of Opportunities and Social Development (OSD), we are a large and diverse department providing a broad portfolio of programs and services including Child and Family Wellbeing (CFW), Employment Support Services (ESS), Income Assistance (IA), Homelessness and Supportive Housing, and Disability Support Program(DSP).

The Disability Support Program (DSP) is committed to fostering innovative ways to empower individuals with disabilities to pursue their vision of a fulfilling life. We are on a journey to implement international best practices that uphold human rights and choice to enhance the way people engage with their communities. We envision Nova Scotia as a place where people with disabilities can choose the life they want to live, in communities that are welcoming, inclusive, and supportive. A life where individuals can build authentic relationships, explore their interests, and achieve their full potential as valued citizens in their community.

About Our Opportunity

This is an opportunity to lead meaningful change, improve outcomes for individuals with disabilities, and contribute to a more inclusive Nova Scotia. As we work to implement key human rights remedy targets, the role of Allied Health Supports becomes more vital than ever.

As the Allied Health Supports Manager you will help in shaping and leading the development, operations, and sustainability of DSP’s Allied Health Support service. This is a leadership opportunity where you will drive evidence-based, best-practice specialized supports, ensuring individuals with disabilities receive the services they need to participate fully in their communities. You will work closely with internal and external partners, including Regional Hub Managers, service providers, practitioners, participants, families, and community stakeholders. Your leadership will directly impact the success of DSP’s transformation efforts, influencing the quality of service delivery and staff engagement in advancing inclusive, person-centred care.

Primary Accountabilities

Reporting to the Director of Allied Health, you will help lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of allied health services within the Disability Support Program (DSP). Your key responsibilities include:

• Providing clinical and operational leadership to ensure DSP-funded allied health services enhance individuals' capacity to live independently.
• Developing and overseeing frameworks for service integration and best practices.
• Building and strengthening partnerships with service providers, community organizations, and internal teams to enhance access to high-quality allied health supports.
• Engaging stakeholders to drive system improvements and build community capacity.
• Participating in the recruitment, onboarding, and development of allied health teams while managing program budgets, and ensuring resource allocation.
• Fostering innovation and transformation efforts, service enhancements, and implementing key human rights remedy targets.
• Monitoring service effectiveness, ensuring adherence to provincial standards, and leading continuous improvement efforts.
• Overseeing risk management practices, privacy protections, and service compliance.

Qualifications and Experience

You bring a strong background in health or social care combined with leadership experience. Your qualifications include post-secondary education in a health or social care program. You must be registered with your respective provincial regulatory association.

Further qualifications of yours include:

• Proven ability to lead and manage interprofessional teams, fostering collaboration and a people-centred approach.
• Strong understanding of allied health services, with the ability to apply best practices in service delivery for individuals with disabilities.
• Deep understanding of the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities and mental health conditions, with a commitment to inclusive, responsive, and person-centred service models.
• Familiarity with government decision-making processes, experience collaborating across different levels of government, and working with equity-seeking communities.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to engage diverse audiences

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.

Benefits

Based on the employment status and union agreement, 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

Your typical work week is 35 hours with 7-hour days. Most of your work is in a central office environment with frequently required travel to various locations across the province, including government offices, DSP program sites, and healthcare facilities. This role places considerable mental pressure on the individual, requiring high personal resiliency to meet emotional demands. You will navigate complex situations, working with individuals through potentially emotional or stressful times in their lives. This dynamic working environment underscores the importance of adaptability and emotional resilience.

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