Director, Financial Advisory Services

About Us

At the 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 management services – including the preparation of the provincial budget – 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.

About Our Opportunity

Reporting to the Executive Director, Financial Advisory Services (EECD), the Director of Financial Advisory Services is responsible for providing strategic direction and technical leadership in the development of fiscal management strategy to assist the province in meeting its shared services objectives. As the Director of Financial Advisory Services, you will provide guidance and direction to a team supporting the client Department of Education and Early Childhood Development.

Primary Accountabilities

• Provide strategic leadership in the development and management of departmental financial strategies, including operational, capital, and revenue budgets, ensuring alignment with government priorities and fiscal sustainability.
• Lead budgeting, forecasting, year-end audit requirements, and accountability reporting, including the preparation of briefing materials and submissions to Treasury Board and senior officials.
• Oversee and provide strategic direction on the financial management of third-party and federal funding agreements, ensuring they are properly reflected in budgets, forecasts, and financial reporting frameworks. Advise senior leadership on the interpretation of financial requirements and optimize the financial impact of these agreements.
• Advise senior leaders on complex financial and policy matters, including cabinet submissions, contract management, and grant accountability.
• Lead the development, implementation, and interpretation of financial management policies and procedures in accordance with Public Sector Accounting Standards (PSAS), Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), the Finance Act, and other relevant legislation and provincial policies.
• Provide strategic oversight of financial stewardship processes including audit, risk management, internal controls, and compliance. Conduct annual risk assessments and contribute to the integrity and fairness of financial practices.
• Collaborate with Treasury Board Office, Executive Council Office, and other departments to ensure financial strategies and submissions align with government direction and priorities.
• Lead and mentor a team of professionals, fostering a culture of excellence, diversity, and continuous improvement. Oversee human resource management, performance development, and internal communication within a complex matrix environment.
• Support departmental policy and program development through innovative financial analysis and problem-solving, including responses to recommendations from the Office of the Auditor General.
• May perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Experience

The ideal candidate will have a bachelor’s degree in business administration or commerce, along with a professional accounting designation (CPA, CA; CPA, CGA; CPA, CMA), plus minimum of 5 years in financial management and team supervision. 

You bring strong technical competence in applying the Canadian public sector accounting standards, and a proven ability to lead and engage teams. Your experience includes budget development, forecasting, financial reporting, and operational management. You are adept at translating a strategic vision into actionable plans, motivating staff, and managing performance.

This position requires an aptitude for navigating complex issues, strong analytical skills, tact and diplomacy, and the ability to influence others and make sound decisions. You demonstrate the capacity to take decisive action while balancing competing priorities. You have a proven track record of accuracy, consistently meeting deadlines, and are an excellent communicator with several years of experience engaging a variety of stakeholders.

Experience with SAP or comparable large-scale Enterprise Resource Planning Application (ERP) is required. Knowledge of and experience in government financial policies and procedures is considered an asset.

Leadership competencies required at this level of work are: Decisiveness, Strategic Orientation, Developing Others, Team Leadership, Self-Awareness and Personal Impact, Effective Interactive Communication, Partnering and Relationship Building, and lntercultural and Diversity Proficiency.

Please ensure your cover letter clearly demonstrates how you meet these required qualifications and experience.

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

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

Benefits

Based on the employment status, 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 is based in a comfortable office environment in Halifax.  Standard hours of work are 35 hours/week from Monday to Friday.

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