Director Policy and Contract Management

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, improved supports for mental health and addictions, 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

Accountable to provide strategic and technical leadership in the development of the contract management strategy for healthcare system infrastructure and capital assets in meeting its objectives within government policies, regulations and procedures. 

The Director, Policy and Contract Management provides sound, timely advice and direction to support Department of Health and Wellness (DHW) and is responsible and accountable for all business and contract management functions related to healthcare infrastructure and capital investment to support the department. This includes providing vision, direction, leadership and advice to the capital budget and planning process and accountability models to support the strategic business direction and financial policy development to meet the current and long-term capital requirements for the healthcare system in Nova Scotia. This position is an integral team member within the Systems Integration Branch of the Department of Health and Wellness, a team with an objective providing Nova Scotians with the Healthcare they deserve now, and into the future.

Given the size of the Department’s capital budget, and volume and complexity of capital projects, the Director, Infrastructure Contract Management must work closely with DHW Financial Advisory Services to align the key capital business oversight and analysis function of the health system to position the department to meet its contractual objectives as well as maintain fiscal sustainability for the health system.
 

Primary Accountabilities

Strategy Development & Implementation: Collaborating with various partners to provide strategic business, contractual, and financial advice on capital initiatives within the Nova Scotia healthcare system. This involves advising senior leaders and ensuring the department meets its capital objectives through sound financial leadership and strategic thinking. The role requires managing complex healthcare initiatives, such as DBFM projects, budget alignment for hospital projects, funding for replacement facilities, and ensuring outcome-based performance in capital contracts.

Business Planning: Contributing to the annual capital business plan process by developing and allocating the capital budget to meet departmental objectives. This includes designing delivery models, creating contract reporting structures, and ensuring alignment with business planning goals.

Contract Management: Offering expert advice and oversight on contracts, budgets, and forecasts for capital projects, particularly Public-Private Partnerships. The role involves developing strategies to manage cost pressures, optimize resources, and ensure balanced program budgets. It also includes leading the development and implementation of capital contract management strategies and business planning processes.

Contracts and Policy: This role is crucial in major contract negotiations, policy development, interpretation, and the creation of initiatives. Responsibilities include participating in high-level negotiations, developing and interpreting policies, and formulating options and initiatives to support the department’s strategic goals. The position ensures that financial management policies and procedures are aligned with professional standards and legislative requirements. It also provides strategic and capital contract advice to department executives and health authority staff, ensuring that capital transactions and processing activities adhere to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Public Sector Accounting Board Guidelines, government policies, and legislated authority.

Accountability: This role ensures the accountability and transparency of contractual information within the Department of Health and Wellness by producing clear and meaningful reports for stakeholders. It involves overseeing research on best business practices for capital contractual policy development and service resource optimization. The position influences high standards of accountability and reporting by implementing well-defined management controls and standards. It also supports year-end reporting processes, financial statement audits, and public accounts, ensuring adherence to accounting principles and government financial policies. The Director may represent the department during budget debates and at budget lockup.

Human Resource Management and Administration: This role ensures effective management of human and financial resources by setting and evaluating staff performance targets, promoting diversity and a healthy workplace, demonstrating leadership competencies, and respecting corporate human resources practices. It involves promoting teamwork and individual development, maintaining internal communication, adhering to procurement guidelines, and accurately forecasting capital budget requirements for the fiscal year.
 

Qualifications and Experience

To be considered for this leadership opportunity, you hold a university degree in a related field with substantial senior leadership experience in policy. You are a recognized leader, a strong and effective communicator, and you possess experience in leading teams. You are committed to open communication, collaboration and consultation with staff, partners and stakeholders and are recognized for your personal and professional credibility, creative problem-solving ability, and in-depth experience leading cross-organizational programs and initiatives. An equivalent combination of training and experience may be considered. You must also demonstrate:

Several years of successful leadership and relevant work experience at a managerial level;
Experience in designing and implementing an effective consultative process;
Proven ability to lead external negotiations with a range of partners, including other levels of government;
Excellent interpersonal skills, an ability to handle and organize large workloads, and a proven ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing;
An aptitude to deal with complex issues, strong analytical skills, tact and diplomacy, capacity for decisive action, and the ability to influence;
The ability to see the big picture.

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

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
   

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.