Director, Building Codes and Standards

About Us

The Department of Municipal Affairs is dedicated to working with municipalities to build healthy, vibrant, and safe communities throughout Nova Scotia. Municipal Affairs provides programs, grants, and funding opportunities for municipalities and community groups. The Department also provides services and guidance to municipalities in many areas including land use planning, budget planning and finance, infrastructure development, policy and program development.

About Our Opportunity

The Director, Building Codes and Standards provides strategic leadership for Nova Scotia's building code system and serves as the department's senior authority on building code policy, governance, adoption, interpretation, and implementation. This is a unique opportunity to lead the continual improvement of a provincial regulatory program that influences public safety, housing supply, accessibility, affordability, energy efficiency, and economic growth across the province.

As a trusted advisor to government and municipal partners, you will lead the development of recommendations on building code adoption and implementation, oversee key governance bodies, and represent Nova Scotia in national and intergovernmental forums. You will work at the intersection of technical expertise, public policy, partner engagement, and government decision-making to ensure Nova Scotia's building code framework remains effective, responsive, and aligned with provincial priorities.

Primary Accountabilities

In this role, you will:

• Lead the strategic direction, governance, administration, and continual improvement of Nova Scotia's building code program.
• Provide executive-level advice to senior leadership and government on building codes, regulatory modernization, and associated policy matters.
• Lead analysis, consultation, and recommendations regarding the adoption and implementation of national model codes and related standards.
• Oversee the governance and effective operation of associated agencies, boards, and commissions responsible for building code matters.
• Represent Nova Scotia in federal, provincial, territorial, and national forums related to building codes and regulatory development.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with municipalities, building officials, industry associations, professional bodies, and other collaborators.
• Lead consultation and engagement processes to support balanced, practical, and informed regulatory decisions.
• Collaborate with associations, municipalities and building officials to make available improved guidance, tools, training, and implementation supports.
• Identify emerging issues, risks, and opportunities and provide timely strategic advice on matters with technical, policy, operational, and political implications.
• Lead a high-performing team and manage assigned human, financial, and project resources.

Based on operational requirements, the position may supervise professional, technical, policy, administrative, or project staff.

Qualifications and Experience

You have significant experience in building codes, construction standards, regulatory development, public administration, or a closely related field. You are recognized for your ability to navigate complex technical and policy issues, provide strategic advice, and build credibility with diverse stakeholders.

You bring:

• Extensive experience interpreting and applying complex legislation, regulations, standards, technical requirements, or building codes.
• Demonstrated experience providing strategic advice to senior leaders, executives, or government decision-makers.
• Experience leading complex initiatives involving multiple collaborators with competing interests and priorities.
• Strong understanding of regulatory development, governance, public policy, and government decision-making processes.
• Exceptional communication and relationship-management skills, with the ability to translate technical issues into clear and practical advice.
• Proven ability to lead consultation processes, build consensus, and manage sensitive issues with policy, technical, operational, and political considerations.
• Strong judgment, strategic thinking, and problem-solving abilities.

The following would be considered assets:

• Experience working with municipalities, municipal building officials, or development and construction partners.
• Experience participating in national standards development, intergovernmental forums, advisory committees, or regulatory bodies.
• Professional designation as a Professional Engineer or Registered Architect.
• Certification or significant experience as a Building Official or building code professional.
• Experience leading organizational, regulatory, or governance modernization initiatives.

We will assess the above qualifications and competencies using one or more of the following tools: interviews, presentations, written exercises, 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 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

This position operates in a fast-paced and highly visible environment involving competing priorities, tight timelines, and complex issues. The role regularly engages with senior government officials, municipalities, industry representatives, professional associations, and national organizations. Occasional travel, as well as evening or weekend meetings, may be required.

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