Director, Program (Student Assistance)

About Us

The mission of the Department of Advanced Education is to lead the Province’s advanced education sector through change and evolution to become a modern, responsive, strategically integrated system. Our goal is to align government departments, agencies, public and private sectors behind a common agenda to develop and promote strategic advanced education programming, infrastructure development, innovation, research, entrepreneurship, as well as social and sustainable growth and development through targeted investments. 

About Our Opportunity

Reporting to the Executive Director of Service Delivery and Operations, the Director manages the administration of federal and provincial student loan and grant programs, which are needs-based funding programs that assist post-secondary students with financial barriers who would otherwise not be able to participate in post-secondary education.

The division assesses over 27,000 applications each year and facilitates the disbursement of approximately $300M in loan and grant assistance to residents of Nova Scotia. The Director guides and directs a team of 18 individuals who administer the program and who provide related services

to applicants and borrowers, such as a contact center and financial aid counseling. In addition, the Director manages aspects of technology that enables services delivery within the division.

The Director and their team are also highly connected to the Portfolio Management division and the Post-Secondary Accessibility Services division, as they mutually support a suite of highly integrated program offerings for post-secondary student borrowers.

Primary Accountabilities

• The efficient and effective delivery of the Canada Student Financial Assistance Program and the Nova Scotia Student Assistance Program, which receives and assesses approximately 27,000+ applications annually.
• Directing effective operational services and related technology and online systems to manage large volumes of student applications, timely service delivery, and ensure fair and transparent decisions, including providing direction the NS Student Aid Appeal Committee under the Nova Scotia Student Aid Act.
• Developing the implementing procedures and communication tools and strategies for new or changing program policy initiatives for students, post-secondary institutions, and the public. They are responsible for the integration of all new program initiatives both federal and provincial, and other related strategic initiatives. This includes managing technology system changes that are used to deliver services and to implement and assess federal and provincial loan and grant criteria.
• Developing or updating policies and programs that consider risk management, social, economic and labor market needs, changing post-secondary environments, and government objectives and budgetary impacts.
• Developing budget forecasts, participating in the Branch’s annual budget planning process.
• Conducting audits, evaluations, and assessments to ensure continuous improvements and process efficiencies are in place.
• Conducting research into emerging trends in programming for post-secondary students, current policy directions and best practices in other jurisdictions.
• Participating in working groups, consultations and planning sessions.
• Representing the Province's interests in federal/provincial/territorial forums.
• Advising the Executive Director of issues and providing guidance on new initiatives that relate to grants, federal jurisdictional improvements, and improvements across the country that could be implemented by the province.
• Ensuring the effective management of human and financial resources by setting and evaluating staff performance targets, promoting diversity and a healthy workplace, demonstrating the leadership competencies, respecting corporate human resources practices, promoting teamwork and individual development, maintaining internal communication.

Qualifications and Experience

To be considered for this opportunity, you must hold a bachelor's degree in a related field of study and have substantial experience in leading and overseeing the administration of funding programs that provide financial support, such a loans and grants. You also have substantial experience overseeing the delivery of services in management and senior leadership positions. You demonstrate a strong knowledge of IT solutions related to program delivery. You have experience leading and managing teams of people who report directly to you.

In addition, you are a highly organized individual who is focused on continuous improvement, and you have a solution-focused approach. You are responsive and able to prioritize your work to ensure departmental strategic goals are met. You have experience in developing and implementing policy and programs with the ability to interpret data to assist in solving problems and making sound decisions. The ability to evaluate complex issues is also an essential skill for this role. You have an excellent grasp of policy and planning methodology, systems and processes of decision-making in a government environment. You apply this knowledge to complex and broadly connected regulatory and/or social policy issues.

You are an excellent relationship builder, a progressive leader, and an innovative self-starter. As a skilled communicator, you possess excellent written and verbal communication and facilitation skills and communicate effectively with a broad range of stakeholders.

You demonstrate excellent leadership capabilities, while respecting corporate human resources practices, promoting diversity and inclusion, promoting teamwork and individual development, and maintaining internal communication,

An equivalent combination of training, education and experience will be considered. Applicants relying on education and experience equivalencies must demonstrate such equivalencies in their application.

Leads

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 behaviors 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 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.

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

Most of your time is spent in a comfortable office setting. You will have daily contact with various internal and external stakeholders. The scope of this role requires strong leadership abilities as well as excellent organizational skills.

Additional Information

This is a permanent position based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. 

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