Director Employment Nova Scotia

Valuing Diversity

At Labour, Skills and Immigration we don’t just accept difference – we celebrate a supportive culture of diversity, inclusion and belonging.

We work hard to create an environment where different perspectives and experiences are welcome and valued.

We are committed to helping diverse talent thrive.  We encourage applications from those that equally value diversity.

About Us

The Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration is a dynamic and innovative department that is focused on strategies, policies and programs that help people live, learn and work to their highest potential in vibrant businesses and organizations throughout the province.

The mandate of the Skills and Learning Branch within the Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration is to support the growth and strengthening of Nova Scotia’s workforce through the delivery of a labour market programming.

The branch is responsible for:

• Setting the strategic direction and providing leadership across the labour market portfolio;
• Ensuring the delivery of a modernized, future-focused workforce development system that underpins economic growth;
• Ensuring continuity and strategic use of multi-year federal funding agreements; and
• Providing evidence-based advice on labour market risks and opportunities to senior levels of government.

The branch’s Skills and Learning programs:

• Support workforce development in Nova Scotia in support of economic growth;
• Help businesses, sectors and employees to become more productive through skills training, strategic human resource services, and industry/sector partnerships;
• Help unemployed Nova Scotians prepare for, and secure work, through skills training, employment assistance, and work experience opportunities and local employment supports through the Nova Scotia Works system;
• Support career advancement and upskilling of Nova Scotia’s workforce;
• Support career-oriented work experiences for post-secondary students and employment for recent graduates and other youth; and
• Provide adult learners with the foundational education needed to enable further education or jobs through the Nova Scotia School for Adult Learning, and recognition of skills and credentials. 
  
  

About Our Opportunity

The Director of Employment Nova Scotia is accountable for the planning, development, implementation, monitoring and enhancement of province-wide labour market programs, policy and services to assist employed and unemployed Nova Scotians prepare for, find and maintain employment and assist employers in finding the workforce they need.  The Director leads the provincial employment services system ensuring effective collaborations and partnerships with communities, service providers, stakeholders and other government departments to gather and assess intelligence to improve client labour market outcomes, meet needs of provincial and regional labour markets, adapt programs and enhance long term economic situations of Nova Scotians and the province.   As a member of the Branch senior management team, the Director contributes to overall branch strategic and investment planning and performance monitoring.

Primary Accountabilities

This position is also responsible to: 

• Oversee the planning, design and monitoring of province-wide employment services system strategy, policy, programs, standards, and business systems for employment attachment and participation.
• Ensure the multi-faceted employment services system and labour market program investments are strategic, evidence-based, and are responsive to current labour market requirements, provincial and regional needs  
• Establish and implement regular employment services system monitoring, reporting, evaluation and auditing mechanisms to achieve timely, accurate and transparent reporting on performance, return on investment, results and impact at both the program and system levels.
• Oversee and lead the negotiation of major organizational service delivery contracts/agreements including the development of system funding models.
• Manage the divisional budget in compliance with government accounting policy, accurately forecast budget requirements for the fiscal year and ensure that program spending aligns with provisions of the Canada-Nova Scotia Labour Market Transfer Agreements.
• Direct the development and implementation of major strategies, plans, platforms, programs, services and standards for current programming and emerging and long-term labour market and population trends. 
• Lead significant change initiatives within the branch and the province-wide employment services system guided by strategic vision, innovation, accountability metrics, team and system engagement, ongoing communication and effective continuous improvement planning.
• Secure and manage a diverse and complex range of collaborative stakeholder relationships, partnerships and networks across the department, other provincial and federal government departments, third-party service providers, employers, universities/colleges, researchers and communities through engagement, consultation and facilitation of joint planning to strengthen the employment services system, improve program outcomes service delivery, and identify and resolve challenges.
• Develop and maintain a system wide communication strategy to ensure consistent messaging, and work with system agreement holders and related parties to ensure that information is presented in the most effective manner.
  
  

Qualifications and Experience

As the ideal candidate you have a demonstrated history of using innovation, creativity and experience to meet the challenges and opportunities an in environment of frequent change. You have experience leading and developing complex and diverse teams and have demonstrated a high level of integrity through progressive leadership experience. You have demonstrated an ability to shape a positive and collaborative organizational environment that develops people and relationships that affect positive change. You have previous experience preparing and presenting briefing materials, documents, and presentations to senior and community leaders.  You have experience in the design, development, and delivery of programs and being able to think conceptually to see the big picture.

Your proven track record in networking, establishing partnerships, and your innovative mindset as a leader is needed. Also required is your previous experience working with multiple interested parties, including being able to build strong and lasting connections and trust-based relationships with representatives from other governments (federal, provincial/territorial).

Candidates should have a Bachelor's degree plus several years of related experience in leading programs, systems and people. A Masters’ level degree in Business, Public Administration or a related relevant discipline is considered an asset.  An acceptable combination of education and experience may be considered. 

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 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 capabilities 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

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.

Additional Information

• Some travel, within Nova Scotia, may be required
• This is a permanent position 
  
  

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.