Director, Data Governance & Engineering

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’re committed to continually improving our health care system. With a focus on collaborative primary health care, improved supports for mental health and addictions, digital health, capital infrastructure, and more, 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

The Director, Data Governance & Engineering plays a pivotal leadership role within the Department of Health and Wellness, guiding strategic health planning, data governance initiatives and standards, and health data strategy across the health system. This position leads a division that drives health policy and programming, ensuring alignment with provincial priorities and accountability with key partners. The Director oversees strategic planning, corporate governance, and transforming how health data is accessed, to support a high-performing, responsive healthcare system.

Primary Accountabilities

As Director, Data Governance & Engineering, you will lead a high-performing team to shape the future of healthcare strategy and governance in Nova Scotia. You’ll be responsible for driving the department’s planning, investment, and performance frameworks, while also leading high-impact projects that influence government-wide health priorities.

In this role, you will:

• Lead the development and delivery of strategic planning, data governance policies, and investment management across the health system.
• Collaborate with senior leaders to address long-term challenges and implement change management strategies that support provincial health data goals.
• Build and maintain strong partnerships across government, health authorities, and external stakeholders to advance integrated solutions.
• Champion a healthy, inclusive workplace by managing human and financial resources effectively, fostering team development, and promoting organizational excellence.
  
  

Qualifications and Experience

To be successful in this role, you bring:

• Bachelors  degree in a related field with several years of progressive experience.
• Extensive experience in strategic planning, data governance, and performance management within a complex public sector or health system environment.
• Proven leadership in managing large teams and driving organizational change aligned with government-wide priorities.
• Strong background in policy development, legislative processes, and investment management across multiple stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to lead high-impact projects and deliver integrated, long-term solutions that support business strategy.
• Experience in financial oversight, including budget planning and asset management across departments or health system partners.
• Exceptional relationship-building skills with the ability to influence senior leaders and collaborate across government, health authorities, and external sectors.
• A commitment to fostering inclusive, high-performing teams and promoting a healthy, diverse workplace culture.

We will assess the above qualifications and experience using tools such as assessments, presentations, interviews, reference checks, etc.

Equivalency

Applicants relying on education and experience equivalencies must demonstrate such equivalencies in their application.

Benefits

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.