Director, National Blood File

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, urgent and emergency care, acute care, community-based supports, 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

In April 2025, Nova Scotia will take over as the Lead Jurisdiction for the Canadian Blood Services (CBS) program, a not-for-profit organisation that has responsibility for the blood system in Canada. The Lead Province or Territory is responsible for acting as the main liaison between the Provinces and Territories, and CBS, and with other stakeholders (e.g. Health Canada), special interest groups. In this capacity, the lead jurisdiction manages issues on all aspects of the blood system, leads national policy initiatives, and performs secretariat functions. As the Director, Blood Services, you will lead a national program, representing the Provinces and Territories collectively, ensuring a consultative and collaborative approach regarding the relationship and business of Canada Blood Services. As the representative of the Provinces and Territories on all aspects of its mandate with CBS, the Director will serve as the strategic liaison on blood and blood products between Canadian Blood Services and Provinces and Territories. The position is responsible for consulting with the Provincial/Territorial Blood Liaison Committee, Canadian Blood Services, Health Canada, and other stakeholders on all matters relating to the national blood system. The position also leads the annual budget negotiation process between Canadian Blood Services and the Provinces and Territories. The position also provides leadership and direction on complex and diverse issues related to the provision of all blood and blood products in the province provided by Canadian Blood Services (CBS), as well as the provincial mandate in relation to organs tissues, donations, and transplantation as it relates to CBS.

Primary Accountabilities

• Provides national leadership on the Canadian blood portfolio, including acting as Chair of the Provincial Territorial Blood Liaison Committee and Co-Chair of the Canadian Blood Services-Provincial Territorial Blood Liaison Committee. Acts as a representative of the Provinces and Territories collectively on national committees with the authority to negotiate and determine solutions to complex issues.
• Develops and sustains collaborative partnerships and establishes project teams within the national blood system to support the Ministers of Health in their duties as Corporate Members of Canadian Blood Services.
• Develops and fosters strong working relationships with provincial/territorial blood programs, health authorities, professional associations, regulatory bodies, and health care providers to identify, develop, and implement strategies initiatives and major projects.
• Provides direction and leadership in the development, implementation, and evaluation of national strategic initiatives, and resource allocation for initiatives.
• Develops, leads, manages, and implements projects and initiatives to support the national blood system as Canadian Blood Services as the nation blood authority.
• Leads national program evaluation, monitoring, and strategic oversight of CBS, including developing materials and consulting with other jurisdictions.
• Leads the negotiation of the annual budget for Canadian Blood Services and all financial aspects of the portfolio.
• Leads research, analysis, and planning to proactively develop strategic solutions to competing priorities and manage expenditures.
• Leads and directs the development of briefing materials on behalf of all jurisdictions for the Lead Minister.
• Provides advice and updates to the Minister, Deputy Minister, Ministry Executive, and senior government officials on provincial and strategic initiatives.
• Manages the financial resources of the Collaborative Initiatives Fund, a Provincial-Territorial fund.
• Supervises staff including assignment of work, development and evaluation of performance plans, approval of leave, response to grievances and initiation of disciplinary processes.
• May perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Experience

• A Masters’ degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Human Resources, Social Sciences, Health or relevant field and at least five (5) years of related, progressive experience in the public sector, or;
• A Diploma or Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Human Resources, Social Sciences, Health or a relevant field and eight (8) years of related, progressive experience in the public sector, or;
• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered. Applicants relying on education and experience equivalencies must demonstrate such equivalencies in their application.

RELATED EXPERIENCE MUST INCLUDE;

• Demonstrated leadership experience working effectively with a variety of internal and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated experience in negotiation, facilitation, and conflict resolution.
• Experience dealing with provincially significant issues and developing and implementing policies and strategic initiatives.
• Experience on complex projects involving high public profile, large budgets, and multi-year or divergent stakeholder issues.
• Progressive experience in a team setting requiring collaboration, collegial challenges, and sensitivity to stakeholder perspectives.
• Experience in budget management and contract management.
• Experience in supervising and directing the work of staff, professional employees and/or consultants.
• Preference may be given to applicants with experience briefing Ministers, Deputy Ministers, and Senior Ministry officials.
• Preference may be given to applicants with experience preparing Cabinet and Treasury Board documents, and/or other briefing documents, high-level reports and decision papers for senior executive.

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 behaviours and capabilities required to effectively lead in a caring and inclusive environment. LEADS Domains includes Leads Self, Engage Others, Achieve Results, Develop Coalitions and Systems Transformation. Please follow LEADS (novascotia.ca) 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

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

• Normal work week is 35 hours/week, 7 hours/day
• May be required to work overtime on occasion
• Must be able to travel out-of-province for up to 5 days at a time.

Additional Information

This is a TERM employment opportunity with anticipated end date of May 15, 2027.  

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.
• Department Specific Flexible working schedules