Director, Child and Family Wellbeing

About Us

At the Department of Community Services (DCS), 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).

Through our services, we advocate and help vulnerable Nova Scotians be independent, self-reliant, and secure. We work collaboratively across the province with a strong dedicated network of supports and staff to achieve desired and shared outcomes for all.

About Our Opportunity

We’re hiring a Director, for Child and Wellbeing. This leadership role offers a unique opportunity to drive innovation and strengthen child and family wellbeing services in Nova Scotia.

As the Director, you will lead planning, design, implementation, and evaluation of programs and services for children and families, ensuring they align with our Framework of Practice, our Prevention and Intervention goals, the Department’s anti-Black racism commitment, the Children and Family Services Act (CFSA) and the Adoption Information Act. You will lead a team of dedicated professionals, shaping and delivering strategies that support departmental and government priorities, with a lasting impact on the lives of children and families across the province. 

Primary Accountabilities

The Department is committed to continually enhancing strategies and strengthening the services and programs we offer. As the Director, you will play a key role in shaping policy, programs, and service standards that make a meaningful difference in the lives of children and families. Your expertise and leadership will influence child and family wellbeing programs and provide strategic guidance to drive positive change.

In this role, your responsibilities will include:

• Implementing strategic plans aligned with the Children and Family Services Act (CFSA) and the Adoption Information Act.
• Designing and leading transformative initiatives that bring sustained improvements to child and family wellbeing programming.
• Developing programs and policies within a large-scale service framework to meet diverse community needs.
• Collaborating on corporate projects and cross-program initiatives, ensuring effective planning and development.
• Building and maintaining strong partnerships with departmental leadership, staff, service providers, Mi’kmaw Family and Children Services, and Tripartite partners.
• Enhancing service delivery through process improvements, quality assurance measures, partnership and program support.
• Overseeing critical program areas, while maintaining high standards for children and families.
• Providing strategic advice to the Executive Director, Associate Deputy, Deputy Minister, Minister, and other leaders on program-specific matters.

Qualifications and Experience

You bring a wealth of leadership experience and expertise in the field of child and family wellbeing. A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Social Work is strongly preferred, reflecting your deep understanding of the principles that guide this work.

As our next Director, you are driven to create meaningful change for vulnerable Nova Scotians by addressing barriers and enhancing programs. You excel under pressure and inspire those around you to think creatively, work collaboratively, and embrace innovation. Your leadership ensures that an inclusive and diverse perspective is central to the development and management of strategies, policies, standards, and program initiatives.

You have a proven track record of collaborating with government and community organizations to achieve shared goals. You excel at identifying opportunities, assessing program needs, evaluating alternatives, and delivering well-grounded recommendations. You balance short-term action with the foresight to develop and implement long-term visions that drive systemic improvement.

As a natural communicator and relationship builder, you foster trust and facilitate candid, constructive discussions with all partners. You are adept at quickly synthesizing new information to provide clear, insightful advice rooted in sound judgment and expertise.

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 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

Excellent people skills and personal resilience are essential to succeed in this highly collaborative, human centred environment. You must be able to balance the needs of both clients and your employees as priorities.

A valid driver's license and ability to travel is required as there will be regular travel to offices throughout the various regions. Your decisions have a significant impact on the safety and well-being of both clients and staff requiring your ability to balance conflicting views with multiple stakeholders.

The demands of this position necessitate extremely flexible hours and requires frequent attention outside regular business hours. Many services operate 24 hours a day/7 days a week and you may be called upon to deal with escalated issues after regular working hours.

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.