Executive Director Continuing Care

About Us

The Department of Seniors and Long-Term Care 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, the Departments of Health and Wellness and Opportunities and Social Development, training institutions, long-term care facilities, home care agencies and other sector leaders, we’re committed to continually improving the support system for seniors and those requiring home care, home supports, and long-term care. The Department of Seniors and Long-Term Care is focused on innovation, and transformation.  We are thinking differently about how to plan and fund to improve access and service delivery for Nova Scotia’s senior population. 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. 

The Continuing Care Branch is nested under the Department of Seniors and Long-Term Care (DSLTC) and has been designated as a government mandated priority. It consists of professional public servants with healthcare and public administration backgrounds working in a variety of roles from home care and long-term/continuing care to licensing and compliance. 

About Our Opportunity

We are seeking an Executive Director to provide vision and leadership to the Nova Scotia Department of Seniors and Long-Term Care, Home Care and Long-Term Care branches, advancing the strategic policy mandate through effective relations with other departments and governments. Reporting to the Associate Deputy Minister, the Executive Director will oversee the operational administration, financial planning, human resource administration, and business planning for the department related to home-care and long-term care, ensuring integration of policy, research, information, and education. The incumbent must have a drive for quality performance, efficiency and innovation to help lead and support transformational change for Nova Scotia’s home care and long-term care sectors in Nova Scotia.

Primary Accountabilities

Visibility and Influence: Enhance the department's visibility and influence across provincial and national governments by collaborating with senior executives and strategic stakeholders.

Departmental Leadership: Formulate business plans, mandates, accountability reports, and develop legislative, policy, and accountability frameworks.

Consultative Networks: Maintain extensive consultative networks within government and with seniors' organizations to identify policy issues and opportunities for action.

Briefings and Advice: Provide accurate and timely briefings and advice to the Minister and Deputy / Associate Minister on key issues affecting seniors.

Outreach and Education: Conduct public events, workshops, forums, and conferences to inform and educate various audiences.

Risk Management: Identify and manage principal risks, ensuring implementation of risk management systems.

Human and Financial Resource Management: Set and evaluate staff performance targets, promote diversity, and ensure effective management of resources.

Continuous Improvement: Promote a climate of continuous improvement, innovation, and fresh thinking within the department.

Qualifications and Experience

To be successful in this role, you have a Bachelor’s degree in a related field (e.g., public administration, healthcare, policy). In addition, you will have several years of progressive, senior-level management experience leading teams of professionals. Equivalent combinations of training and experience may be considered.

In addition, you possess:

• Proven leadership abilities, integrity, and understanding of aging issues.

• Superior negotiation, communication, interpersonal, and diplomatic skills.

• Ability to establish productive relationships with senior representatives of non-governmental and governmental organizations.

• Extensive experience in project and portfolio management, budgetary processes, and risk management/mitigation principles.

• Knowledge and understanding of healthcare policy research and development, legislation, regulation, political acuity, and diplomacy.

• Excellent research capabilities and strong organizational skills with attention to detail and accuracy while balancing priorities.

Required Leadership Competencies include Decisiveness; Strategic Orientation; Developing Others; Team Leadership; Self-Awareness & Personal Impact; Effective Interactive Communication; Partnering & Relationship Building; Intercultural 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.

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. 

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.

Working Conditions

Most of your time is spent in a comfortable an office setting. Your normal work week is 35 hours/week, 7 hours/day. There will be times when afterhours work is required.

What We Offer

• Career development where you have access to career guidance, tools, resources, and ongoing training for every stage of your career.

• Countless career paths.

• A dynamic, client-focused office environment where service excellence and teamwork are our focus