Director, Pharmacare and Extended Health Benefits

About Us

The Pharmaceutical Services Division of the Department of Health and Wellness provides evidence-based research, policy analysis, strategic planning, program design, monitoring and evaluation for Nova Scotia’s publicly funded drug and related benefit programs. The Division develops legislation, regulations, policies, standards and guidelines that respond to the changing health needs of Nova Scotians and support the Department’s strategic direction. Programs include Seniors’ Pharmacare, Family Pharmacare, the Drug Assistance for Cancer Patients Program, the Nova Scotia Insulin Pump Program and other programs delivered with health-system partners.

About Our Opportunity

As Director, Pharmacare Administration, you will lead programs that help Nova Scotians access publicly funded drug and related health benefits. Reporting to the Executive Director, Pharmaceutical Services, you will provide strategic direction for program planning, operations, delivery and evaluation, while helping the Division respond to emerging needs, system pressures and opportunities for improvement.

Your leadership will influence how benefits are administered, how policies are translated into service delivery and how programs evolve to remain accountable, sustainable and responsive. You will work across government and with health-system, provider and industry partners to address complex issues, strengthen program performance and support informed decisions.

This opportunity is well suited to a collaborative and decisive leader who can connect policy, operations, financial stewardship and client experience. You will guide experienced teams, advise senior decision-makers and help shape programs that have a direct impact on Nova Scotians.

Primary Accountabilities

As Director, you will provide leadership across a broad and complex portfolio. You will:

• Provide strategic oversight for benefit adjudication, administrative and provider service agreements, operational systems and frameworks, provider and program audits, provider negotiations, data-sharing agreements, and program and benefit utilization analysis.
• Lead policy and program changes, modernization work, continuous improvement initiatives, and complex operational or administrative transformations.
• Provide strategic oversight of the Prescription Monitoring Program.
• Lead managers and staff responsible for day-to-day program operations, benefit delivery, program evaluation, utilization review, information requests and individual case reviews.
• Create the conditions for team success by establishing clear direction, tools, training, escalation pathways and performance expectations.
• Prepare and provide expert advice, briefings, analysis and recommendations to the Executive Director, Deputy Minister, Minister, senior leaders and other government officials on delivery pressures, emerging risks, policy gaps, operational impacts and opportunities to improve access to benefits.
• Oversee the Division’s budget and financial performance, including expenditure forecasting and resource allocation.
• Build effective relationships with provincial, federal and international governments, health-system partners, providers and other organizations, and represent the Department on committees, project teams, at conferences and in meetings.
  
  

Qualifications and Experience

You bring senior-level experience leading programs, services or operational teams in a complex and changing environment. You understand how to balance legislation, policy, service delivery, financial accountability, privacy, equity, client experience and public expectations. You are comfortable managing competing priorities, making well-reasoned decisions with incomplete information and advising on sensitive or high-profile matters.

To be considered, you have a post-secondary degree in a relevant field, such as public administration, health administration or a health profession, plus extensive years of progressively responsible experience in a relevant field. An equivalent combination of training, education and experience will be considered.

The following experience and capabilities are also essential:

• Experience managing complex programs in government, health insurance, or a comparable public- or private-sector environment.
• A strong understanding of, and demonstrated experience within, the Canadian health-care or social-services system.
• Proven experience leading teams and significant day-to-day operations, including establishing operational controls and overseeing monitoring and evaluation.
• Demonstrated success identifying risk, resolving operational issues and implementing improvements with measurable results.
• The ability to interpret legislation, regulations and policy and translate them into practical operational processes and decision-support tools.
• Superior written and verbal communication skills, including experience preparing clear briefings, reports and recommendations for decision-makers.
• Demonstrated leadership strengths in analytical thinking, strategic orientation, innovation, continuous improvement, adaptability, change management, initiative, risk management, effective communication, partnership, collaboration, and intercultural and diversity proficiency.
  
  

Experience in the management of drug or other insured health benefits or significant leadership experience in pharmacy practice will be considered assets. 

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

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

• The normal work week is 35 hours, based on seven hours per day.
• Occasional overtime may be required.
• The role involves managing competing priorities and responding to sensitive, complex or high-profile program matters.

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.