Executive Director, Accessibility Directorate

About Us

The Government of Nova Scotia is seeking a bold, collaborative and experienced leader to serve as Executive Director of the Accessibility Directorate, providing strategic direction and oversight to the Accessibility Directorate and for the implementation of the Accessibility Act 

This is a leadership opportunity is for someone ready to influence systems, policy, culture and outcomes   to ensure Nova Scotia becomes more accessible for persons with disabilities.  

The Accessibility Directorate leads the development and implementation of accessibility standards (regulations), supported by compliance activities, public awareness, and monitoring. We work collaboratively across government, sectors, and communities, including organizations and persons with disabilities, to remove and prevent barriers that disable people.

The Accessibility Act and the province’s accessibility goal requires innovation, and transformation. This work affects every Nova Scotian, now and into the future.

For the ASL video link please click the following :
https://vimeo.com/1164700837/a9e6ab6e66?share=copy&fl=sv&fe=ci

About Our Opportunity

As Executive Director, you will provide strategic leadership at the provincial level on accessibility and disability issues. You will guide the implementation of the Accessibility Act, and ensure the Accessibility Directorate operates with excellence, accountability and impact.  Reporting to the Associate Deputy Minister and serving as liaison to the Accessibility Advisory Board, you will act as a trusted advisor to senior government leadership and a key bridge between government and the disability communities.

This role requires someone who is comfortable navigating complexity, building coalitions, and delivering results - all while leading with care, inclusion, and purpose.

What You Will Do

Lead and Shape 

•    Set the vision and strategic direction for accessibility legislation implementation across Nova Scotia.
•    Serve as the Province’s strategy lead on the Accessibility Act and support the work of the Accessibility Advisory Board.
•    Provide expert, evidence-informed advice to senior government decision-makers.
•    Oversee human and financial resources, ensuring accountability, transparency, and impact.
•    Foster a diverse, inclusive, and high-performing workplace.
•    Set clear performance expectations and support staff growth and development.
•    Be a Visible Leader
•    Represent the Government of Nova Scotia on matters affecting persons with disabilities.
•    Elevate community voices, support capacity-building, and advance innovation in accessibility.

Drive Collaboration and Systems Change

•    Lead cross-government and inter-departmental collaboration to develop and implement accessibility standards.
•    Work with public, private, and non-profit sectors using a whole-system approach to remove barriers.
•    Build strong partnerships across jurisdictions, organizations and communities.

Champion Engagement and Public Awareness

•    Strengthen relationships with persons with disabilities, community organizations, and sector leaders.
•    Promote public understanding of accessibility, disability rights, and systemic barriers.
•    Ensure meaningful engagement informs policy, standards development, and implementation.

Qualifications and Experience

You have a university degree in a related field, in addition to substantial experience in a strategic leadership role.  

You are a creative, values-driven and forward-thinking leader with credibility and confidence. 

Your knowledge and expertise of accessibility and disability issues, including legislation and policy, will allow you to make effective recommendations to the Associate Deputy Minister, Deputy Minister and Minister. 

You also have demonstrated experience in the following:

•    Broad knowledge of accessibility and disability issues, including relevant legislation, policy, and programs.
•    Understanding of the interests and issues that are unique to the disability communities.
•    Proven experience overseeing the development of regulations, including providing strategic direction on regulatory drafting instructions and managing the associated consultation, approval, and implementation processes.
•    Proven ability to analyze complex issues, balance competing interests and advance strategic recommendations
•    Excellent relationship-building, communication and collaboration skills. 
•    Strong intercultural awareness and a demonstrated ability to apply a diversity and inclusion perspective when reviewing policies, programs, and practices. 
•    Demonstrated experience providing strategic leadership and management, including setting direction, managing human and financial resources, and guiding teams to deliver results in complex environments.
•    The ability to negotiate opportunities and lead change with empathy, clarity and resolve. 
•    Excellent time management and organizational skills to manage multiple priorities.
•    Fluency in French (oral and/or written) would be considered an asset.

We encourage applications from people with disabilities and may prioritize qualified candidates who identify as living with a disability

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

Based on the employment status, 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

This is a Permanent, full-time position based in Halifax.

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.  

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.