Director, Financial Advisory Services

About Us

At the Nova Scotia Department of Finance and Treasury Board we strive to provide financial leadership, analysis and policies that strengthen Nova Scotia. As stewards of the province’s financial affairs, we deliver a wide range of corporate fiscal and management services – including the preparation of the provincial budget, forecast updates, and financial advice to departments, crown corporations and other public service entities – as well as ensure government plans are coordinated and fiscally responsible.

We are constantly looking for new and better ways to plan, manage, budget and invest. For more information, please click here: https://www.novascotia.ca/finance/en/home/default.aspx

About Our Opportunity

This position falls under the Department of Finance and Treasury Board’s Advisory Services section, as part of the team responsible for financial advisory services to the Department of Opportunities and Social Development. The Department of Opportunities and Social Development is a large and diverse department providing a broad portfolio of programs and services including Child and Family Well-being (CFW), Employment Support Services (ESS), Income Assistance (IA), Homelessness and Supportive Housing, and Disability Support Program (DSP).

Reporting to the Executive Director of Finance & Administration, the Director is one of two positions responsible for providing leadership for all strategic business and financial management functions supporting internal and external programs at the Department of Opportunities and Social Development, including developing, implementing, maintaining, and continuously improving a comprehensive range of services. These include financial advisory services, accounting and internal controls, budgeting and forecasting, and IT capital projects, which encompass both capital and operating budgets. The role also involves year-end financial reporting responsibilities, which include a significant contribution to the annual audit processes, as well as the preparation of briefing books, estimate books, and public accounts. Additionally, the Director provides direction to staff and oversees administrative services within a complex matrix environment. This position is essential for the success of client departments and agencies in delivering mandated programs and services most cost-effectively and efficiently.

This role is also responsible for serving as a liaison between financial services and internal and external stakeholders, as well as maintaining regular interaction with other government Departments, including the Treasury Board Office. Key aspects of this position include leading and directing operations by setting achievable goals and objectives, as well as developing, interpreting, and following established guidelines, policies, and procedures.

Qualifications and Experience

The successful candidate must be an energetic self-starter with a well-rounded background in both experience and education. The successful candidate must have the following:

• A professional accounting designation plus five (5) years of progressive financial management experience.
• Competencies in the management of people must be demonstrated through formal experience in the management of staff or progressive experience leading senior-level project or program teams.
• The Director should understand government financial policies and financial issues.
• Sound understanding of computerized accounting systems and the ability to develop technology-based solutions to administrative process problems.
• Experience in business planning and financial policy development.
• Experience leading workplace change and identifying innovative solutions to issues would also be considered an asset.
• Knowledge and experience in the delivery of a broad spectrum of financial services to a varied client group is an asset.

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

Assets:

While not mandatory, having the following qualifications is seen as an asset:

• Experience in leading workplace and team changes, along with the ability to identify innovative solutions to challenges.
• Knowledge and experience in delivering financial services related to human and social services.
• Experience collaborating with external non-profit and for-profit organizations as service provider partners.

Equivalency

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