Director of Economic Growth and Innovation

About Us

The Department of Growth and Development drives economic growth and productivity by creating conditions for communities, businesses and households to thrive. The Department works with key partners to foster a dynamic environment that supports innovation and sector development, providing the necessary solutions to grow our population and economy.

The Department of Growth and Development is committed to being a diverse and inclusive workplace that reflects the communities we serve. We value equity, diversity, and inclusion and recognize that a respectful and inclusive environment strengthens our ability to deliver effective public services. We encourage applications from all qualified candidates, including African Nova Scotians, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible minorities, women, and persons of all gender identities and expressions.

About Our Opportunity

The Director leads a team of senior professionals and provides strategic direction for the development and delivery of programs, policies, and initiatives that advance business growth, innovation, and government priorities.

In this role, the Director provides leadership in strengthening Nova Scotia’s innovation ecosystem by working with Crown corporations, economic development partners, and industry to support startups, scale-ups, and the growth and expansion of priority sectors.

The Director works closely with senior leadership across government, Crown corporations, and industry to align investments, policies, and programs in support of inclusive economic growth.

The Director also leads cross-departmental collaboration to advance sector development objectives and serves as a key point of contact with external stakeholders, representing the Department on committees, task forces, and working groups as required.

Primary Accountabilities

Some of your responsibilities will include:

• Working closely with the Director, Policy, to coordinate a departmental approach to corporate priorities.
• Fostering innovation and the development of an innovation ecosystem for Nova Scotia by working with stakeholders, Crown Corporations, Government departments and Businesses.
• Developing a network from government, industry, and academia to gather intelligence and implement innovation action plans for key sectors by building and maintaining strong partnerships.
• Overseeing high-impact strategic initiatives, projects and mandate items, ensuring timely and integrated delivery.
• Taking a leadership role within the Department to build cross-functional teams that provide seamless and coordinated support to the Deputy Minister, Crowns and Government departments on inclusive economic growth priorities.
• Participating in federal/provincial/territorial committees and initiatives as well as helping to coordinate and support the participation of Deputy Ministers and elected officials in these bodies.

Qualifications and Experience

This may be the right opportunity for you if you have a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline with several years of progressive management experience, or acceptable equivalent. An equivalent combination of training and experience may be considered.

You possess exceptional time management skills to manage multiple priorities with competing deadlines. You also have:

• Strong communication (written/verbal) and relationship-building skills to engage with others, get buy-in to deliver results and skillfully influence to build support.
• Experience leading teams with research, policy and program design and development, monitoring, evaluation and reporting with a focus on economic growth.
• Demonstrated experience working collaboratively across an organization and with external partners to identify, develop, implement, evaluate and provide ongoing management of corporate strategies, policies and programs for economic and business growth and strategic sector development.
• Demonstrated experience with developing networks with government, industry, and academia to gather intelligence and implement action plans for key sectors.

Leadership competencies required at this level of work are:

Decisiveness, Strategic Orientation, Developing Others, Team Leadership, Self-Awareness and Personal Impact, Effective Interactive Communication, Partnering and Relationship Building, and Intercultural and Diversity Proficiency.

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

We recognize equivalent combinations of training, education, and experience, providing opportunities for individuals with diverse backgrounds to contribute their skills and expertise. Applicants relying on education and experience equivalencies must demonstrate such equivalencies in their application. 

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

Hours of Work: 35 hours/week, Monday – Friday in office

Location: CIBC Building, Barrington Street, Halifax, NS

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.