Manager, Culture Sector Development

About Us

The Department of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage (CCTH) supports communities across the province to be welcoming, inclusive and accessible, providing a great quality of life for Nova Scotians and a memorable experience for visitors. We value the collective diversity of our heritage and our people and believe in the transformative nature of culture to help create healthy, active, growing communities. For more information visit https://cch.novascotia.ca/
 

The Culture and Heritage Development division is focussed on developing and supporting the province’s cultural sector through strategic relationships with, and targeted investments toward, cultural organizations, creative businesses and individual producers operating within the province.

About Our Opportunity

The Manager, Sector Development is responsible for the direct oversight of staff administering a range of funding programs intended to sustain cultural organizations, develop audiences and promote the value of culture, grow the capacity of the sector, and to enhance the development and export potential of cultural producers in Nova Scotia. The Manager works together with other program managers, export/trade development specialists and across government departments to consult, advise and exchange ideas on developing and implementing innovative approaches and strategies to grow the creative economy.
 

The Manager has working relationships with people, businesses and organizations active in the creative industries and culture sectors, specifically; industry professionals and provincial sector organizations; government funding agencies and departments; and a wide range of organizations and agencies engaged in creative industries and cultural production, presentation and development with the aim of sustaining and growing the cultural sector in Nova Scotia.
 

The position responds to the needs of a diverse range of culture sector stakeholders, and requires a champion of equity, diversity, and inclusion in the arts and beyond who has a demonstrated record of supporting equitable representation of and opportunities for equity- deserving artists and their communities.
 

The Manager interacts occasionally with the Deputy Minister, Minister and senior management of the Department and elected officials to present program information and/or briefing notes and backgrounders on specific program issues and to provide status updates on progress of major initiatives.  
 

The Manager initiates and maintains frequent contact with representatives at all levels of government, the public sector, non-government organizations, and sector associations to plan, develop, facilitate and coordinate strategic sector growth opportunities such as best practice missions and trade missions and collaborative projects and events.
 

This position reports to the Director, Culture and Heritage Development.

Primary Accountabilities

As the Manager, Sector Development you have a critical role in the enhancement of creative industries, the growth of cultural organizations and the development of the culture sector as a whole.  The Manager is responsible to lead, develop, retain and motivate a team of professional staff in the overall administration of funding programs, specifically the development, ongoing review, proposal evaluation, and budget oversight of the following programs:
 

• The Operating Assistance to Cultural Organizations Program;
• The Creative Industries Fund;
• The Screenwriters Development Fund;
• The Publishers Assistance Fund; and
• The Culture Innovation Fund, as well as other related investment programs.

You will achieve this by:

• Promoting a workplace climate of collaboration, achievement, administrative efficiency, and professional accountability.
• Growing and maintaining relationships with culture sector organizations and Industry Associations.
• Increasing awareness and participation in the funding programs within the division by planning, organizing, and conducting sector group meetings to disseminate information.
• Fostering positive partnerships and building strong working relationships with diverse groups and stakeholders to enhance stability within the culture sector, and to drive growth of creative industries.
• Playing a leading role in the identification and removal of barriers preventing applicants of equity-deserving groups from accessing the cultural industry programs to the advancement of creative industries and the culture sector.
• Consulting with applicants, divisional staff; and by working directly with businesses, organizations, funding agencies and other departments.
• Initiating participation in sector led trade missions and events in partnership with federal, and provincial departments, agencies, and organizations; and by participating in collaborative strategies and action plans with same groups. 
• Ensuring continuity in program delivery by managing observance of guidelines, application procedures, terms and conditions and program reporting methods and budget tracking to ensure Department program objectives and audit requirements are met. 
• Strengthening awareness of program operational achievements and importance by providing reports and correspondence to Senior Staff, Deputy Minister, and the Minister on matters of both strategic and operational importance, as requested.
• Providing support for amendment or development of new program policies by contributing to program planning, reviewing issues, and serving as program advisor to the Director of Programs as required.
• Contributing to the development, implementation, management, and evaluation of policies, guidelines and programs designed to foster a diverse and inclusive creative sector.
• Developing and advancing strategic planning initiatives related to investment in the growth of the cultural sector, notably the Creative Industries Development Strategy (scheduled to begin in 2025).
• In this role, you will also work on projects independently and / or participate in teams for other assignments, including participation on interdepartmental and / or intergovernmental committees.

Qualifications and Experience

To be successful in this role, you will have a Bachelors’ degree plus 6 years related experience. A minimum of 3 years managerial experience is strongly desired, demonstrating experience in project management, program design, development and implementation, team development and leadership. An equivalent combination of training and experience may be considered.
 

This position requires a high degree of attention to detail and the ability to think analytically. Excellent interpersonal skills and a high degree of competence in written and verbal communication are necessary in the preparation of presentation materials for interactions with a wide variety of sector stakeholders. Successful applicants must demonstrate the ability to successfully lead a team, delegate responsibility, and to hold others accountable where necessary.

The successful candidate will:

• have extensive experience working in the culture sector and the creative industries.
• demonstrate proficiency with project management, and extensive experience managing staff, budgets, and grant programs.
• possess a high degree of knowledge and experience in the design, implementation and review of funding programs.
• show a thorough understanding of strategic planning principles, organizational operations and procedures, and demonstrate an aptitude for the management of projects of a complex, multi-disciplinary scope.
• exhibit strong presentation, facilitation, and communication skills (verbal and written).
• be knowledgeable and skilled in consulting and facilitation processes and prepare well written and professional documents, reports, and presentations.
• be creative, outcome focused and strive for innovation, using technology and online applications to capture, manage and share information.
• have established relationships working with communities, organizations, artists and other stakeholders from diverse cultural and racial backgrounds, specifically Indigenous, African Nova Scotian, and other racialized groups.
• develop and maintain collaborative relationships with key stakeholders at all levels, and internal and external partners. 
• bring an innovative approach to their work, showing creativity and forward thinking.
   

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.

LEADS

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.

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.

Additional Information

Valid driver’s licence is required, and the flexibility to travel with some overnight stays.

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