Executive Director, Corporate and Financial Services (CFS)

About Us

Building and maintaining our provincial infrastructure is no small job. Link Nova Scotia is a provincial Crown corporation tasked with long-range strategic transportation planning across Halifax and surrounding communities. We work across jurisdictions and levels of government to promote collaboration. Halifax and surrounding communities have been growing at a rapid pace recently, and population and economic growth are key priorities for the province. Planning for such growth requires collaboration across all levels of government, businesses, communities, and interest groups, and a long-term strategy to ensure the region’s transportation system can provide support in a sustainable and resilient manner.

We’re seeking an individual who thrives in a fast-paced environment, and is keen to contribute innovative ideas. If you are seeking an opportunity to improve the transportation climate in Nova Scotia, and benefit the Province’s economy as well as business, tourism, manufacturing, service, and resource sectors of the Province, then we want to hear from you. Transportation public infrastructure and transportation networks are the lifeblood of community and commerce, and at Link Nova Scotia you will be making a significant contribution to these important issues. The Agency also plays a leading role in supporting and coordinating major core government priorities and multidepartment projects and the strategic alignment of priorities.

About Our Opportunity

Reporting to the Deputy Minister, the Executive Director provides strategic leadership and operational management for various Link Nova Scotia corporate functions, including budgeting and financial planning, records and information management, administrative support services, business continuity, and FOIPOP in accordance with Ministry policy and process.

Primary Accountabilities

As a key member of the Executive Leadership Team, this role provides leadership and coordination, contributing to business planning and development of Link Nova Scotia strategic direction. The Executive Director (CFS) must have thorough knowledge of government policy and process, legislation and associated processes. The Executive Director (CFS) plays a pivotal role in fostering collaborative relationships with the Department of Public Works, Link Nova Scotia Senior Leadership across government, and external partners to establish priorities, allocate resources effectively, and drive continuous improvement through trend analysis, best practice research, evidence-based decisions, and a commitment to excellent client service.

Qualifications and Experience

The ideal candidate will have a university degree in a relevant discipline (e.g., Commerce, Finance, or Business Administration), along with a professional accounting designation (CPA), plus several years of progressive leadership experience, with a minimum of 5 years in a professional/financial management role. An acceptable equivalent combination of education, training and experience may be considered.

In addition to the above, the following skills and experience are required:

• Proven ability to exercise sound judgement and set priorities.
• Demonstrated knowledge of specific accounting, operational, and financial issues.
• Experience in interpreting public sector accounting standards as well as other industry best practices for financial statement preparation, capital market compliance, internal controls over financial reporting, and payment card industry standards.
• Exceptional communication skills (written and verbal) and ability to build and maintain relationships. Strong attention to detail, with a demonstrated history of providing expert advice and accurate information.
• Strong time management, research, and analytical skills to work with multiple departments with conflicting objectives to provide practical options and solutions.

This position requires an individual who is energetic, purpose driven, takes initiative and executes without considerable oversight, capable of prioritizing, adjusting quickly to challenging changing conditions, and has a quick finger on the pulse of the organization.

The successful applicant will be results-oriented and thrive as a member of a high-functioning team, while being able to produce high quality work independently. The successful applicant will have excellent written and verbal communication skills, has a natural ability to build and develop an effective team with experience assessing a group’s strengths and weaknesses and developing a road map for success.

The following are considered assets:

• Experience with internal communications and stakeholder relations.
• The ability to identify all opportunities for further connection, build relationships with a variety of stakeholders leveraging a communication style that engages a varied audience are considered critical skill sets.
• Knowledge of government process, policies and relative Link Nova Scotia legislation.

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, 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

Your normal work week is 35 hours/week, 7 hours/day. You may be required to work overtime on occasion.

The majority of your work is conducted in a comfortable office environment with moderate travel required within and outside of the Province.

There is pressure to meet deadlines while juggling a diverse number of projects that require ongoing planning/revising. You must be able to manage stressful, complex situations and balance many different issues and considerations. Work is often subject to extensive scrutiny and criticism by the public and by the diverse communities served.

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