Executive Director, Equity and Engagement

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, continuing 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

As the Executive Director of Equity and Engagement, you will provide strategic policy advice to the Deputy Minister, Associate Deputy Ministers, Chiefs and the DHW Executive team, to build internal capacity, to ensure the department is in line with and contributing to the broader government corporate agenda for diversity and inclusion.

The Executive Director will provide department leadership in making the DHW a better place to work by establishing systems, to ensure a diversity and inclusion lens is applied in corporate human resource strategies, programs and policies and guiding the organization to be a welcoming, inclusive and engaged Public Service.

As the Executive Director, you will provide health system leadership working with the leaders within the Nova Scotia Health Authority and the IWK to build the health systems capacity for health services that are equitable and culturally competent.

Primary Accountabilities

The Executive Director leads a Division responsible for the corporate functions of public and stakeholder correspondence, internal communication, and engagement/consultation. You will be accountable to consult, lead, and manage a division to provide specialized expertise and change management related to issues of equity specifically in relation to diversity and inclusion. The Executive Director is responsible to ensure these functions are effective and efficient and works with the other divisions of Corporate Policy, Planning and Process, in driving change management process to ensure overall corporate improvement.

You will Lead the consultation, creation, implementation and promotion of DHW corporate diversity and engagement strategies, policies, guidelines, standards, programs and services that reflect the commitment of Government. This is to promote inclusivity and ensuring the workforce is reflective, at all levels of the organization, of the population it serves. As the Executive Director of Equity and Engagement, you will promote the long- term vision and utilize internal and external influences to achieve the goals of corporate diversity and corporate engagement as well as with the public.

Qualifications and Experience

Do you have experience building successful relationships to support cultural change paired with a demonstrated passion for supporting diversity and inclusion in the workplace?  If so, this could be the right opportunity for you.

This may be the right opportunity for you if you have, at minimum, a bachelor’s degree or a professional designation in a related discipline with extensive experience as a leader and a manager of people.  An equivalent combination of training and experience may be considered.

As a successful Executive Director of Equity and Engagement you will:

• Value the concept of diversity, equity and inclusion and lead with a lens that supports and values a healthy workplace and demonstrate leadership competencies.
• Think strategically and make decisions by connecting with stakeholders (both internally and externally) using strategic and tactical approaches.
• Possess significant experience working with partners and other stakeholders across industry, departments, and divisions to successfully achieve objectives.
• Have a clear communication style and ability to influence key clients and partners.

You also possess a high level of creativity.  You enjoy working with individuals and teams and you have a demonstrated ability to identify innovative solutions.  You are an exceptional listener and communicator (verbal and written) with experience in leading strategy and program development and implementation.

If you have the above attributes and you have the experience and knowledge needed to consult, discuss and recommend a broad range of diversity strategies to address equity issues, we invite you to consider this opportunity.

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.

For more information, please visit LEADS Framework.

We will assess the above qualifications and competencies using one or more of the following tools: written examination, 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

May be required to travel quarterly to field locations.

Additional Information

This is a permanent, full time position based in Halifax.

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.