Director, Academic Funding Plan - Physician Services Branch

About Us

The Department of Health and Wellness offers opportunities to grow and advance in a dynamic sector that touches the lives of all Nova Scotians. Along with our partners, including the Nova Scotia Health Authority and the IWK Health Centre, we are committed to continually improving our health care system. The Department is thinking differently about how to plan, fund, legislate and monitor to improve access and service delivery. To do this, we need leaders at all levels of the organization who embrace a challenge and believe in their ability to make a difference.

About Our Opportunity

Are you a strategic and collaborative leader ready to shape the future of physician compensation in Nova Scotia? As Director of the Academic Funding Plan (AFP) you will oversee one of the province’s most significant health system agreements – a $330million partnership that support approximately 750 academic physicians delivering specialized and quaternary care.

Reporting to the Senior Executive Director (“SED”), you will lead a high-performing team to modernize the AFP, strengthen transparency and accountability and ensure it remains a pillar of both academic excellence and health system sustainability. This opportunity requires collaboration with a diverse set of stakeholders, including 12 Academic Departments, Dalhousie University, Doctors Nova Scotia, Nova Scotia Health Authority, the IWK Health Authority, other DHW branches, and Medavie. This position requires exceptional change leadership and the ability to navigate complex, multi-party environments to ensure the AFP remains a pillar of both academic excellence and health system accountability.

Primary Accountabilities

The successful candidate for this position will be an independent and transformational leader capable of driving change and innovation in a collaborative, values-centred and accountable way. They will take complex situations and impart clarity and consistency while never losing site of the best interest of Nova Scotians in the services delivered.

Primary accountabilities include:

• Lead the implementation of the AFP, ensuring alignment with legislation, policy and health system priorities. 
• Ensure operational excellence by guiding a team in physician payments, accountability frameworks, program evaluation and transparent reporting. 
• Foster collaboration and trust amount stakeholders, driving forward a shared vision for transparency and system improvement.
• Lead preparation of strategic advice, recommendations, and submissions to government, including expert analysis and strategic guidance on emerging issues, policy options, and negotiations strategy. Ensures all outputs are well researched, evidence based, clearly articulated and aligned with departmental priorities.
• Effectively manage human and financial resources by setting clear performance targets, promoting a diverse, healthy and inclusive workplace and accurately forecasting budget requirements for the fiscal year.
  
  

Qualifications and Experience

You are a strategic, collaborative leader who thrives in a multi-stakeholder environment. You have a bachelor's degree in a related field and several years of progressive management and leadership experience preferably in a public/health sector (or an acceptable equivalent). Possession of a Master’s Degree in a complementary area would be an asset.

You can demonstrate the following:

• A strong record of leading teams across organizations.
• Demonstrated success in strategy development, program evaluation, and program oversight using evidence to inform decision making.
• Skill in navigating sensitive conversations, managing diverse perspective and building strong relationships with stakeholders.
• The ability to think systemically, adapt strategies as required and generate creative, sustainable solutions.

As the ideal candidate you communicate with clarity and impact and are recognized for your ability to build trust and credibility across organizations.

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 behaviours and capabilities required to effectively lead in a caring and inclusive environment. Please follow LEADS (novascotia.ca) for more information. Leadership competencies required at this level of work are: Decisiveness Strategic Orientation, Developing Others, Team Leadership, Self-Awareness and Personal Impact, Effective Interactive Communication, Partnership and Relationships Building, and Intercultural and Diversity Proficiency.

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

An equivalent combination of training, education and experience will be considered. Applicants relying on education and experience equivalencies must demonstrate such equivalencies in their application.

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

• Normal work week is 35 hours/week, 7 hours/day
• May be required to work overtime on occasion
  
  

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.
• A dynamic, client-focused office environment where service excellence and teamwork are our focus.