Program Manager

About Us

The Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration works to provide fairness, safety and prosperity for all Nova Scotians by helping them live, learn and work to their highest potential.  We have a staff of more than 500 employees working from offices throughout Nova Scotia.  Together we are responsible for workplace safety, fire safety, pensions, apprenticeship, adult education, and many other facets of everyday life. 

The Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency (NSAA) is responsible for stewarding and operating a relevant, accessible and responsive industry-led trades training and certification system and improving access to and participation in the system for Indigenous Peoples, African Nova Scotians, Person with Disabilities, Newcomers, Women and members of other equity-seeking groups. 
 

About Our Opportunity

The Program Manager will be responsible for the overall delivery of a program/services portfolio on behalf of the Government, in accordance with federal/provincial acts and/or regulations. 

The Manager is accountable for the strategic and operational leadership of the program/services portfolio through direction, planning, reporting, evaluation, and implementation in accordance with the Act(s) using a broad knowledge of legislation, regulations, policies and programs to manage and mitigate risks to the public, Government Employees, Minister(s) and to build collaborative relationships within the province. 

This is an exciting time to join the Apprenticeship Agency. The Program Manager will be responsible for tracking, reporting and monitoring the delivery and communications for several of the new skilled trades initiatives that the Agency is leading, such as the Actions to Accelerate the Growth of Skilled Trades.
 

Primary Accountabilities

Key Responsibilities include: 

• Develops and/or delivers a plan for a portfolio of program/services by managing a series of projects, including supporting, monitoring and reporting the Actions to Accelerate the Skilled Trades, Minister's Panel on pre-apprenticeship training, safe and inclusive skilled trades workplaces, strategic planning process, and the trades tracker dashboard.
• Facilitate program/service objectives and ensures that the interests and objectives of the Agency are observed in the management of the portfolio to support the overall Government strategy, specifically the Actions to Accelerate the Skilled Trades.
• Provides project management methodology across the Agency to ensure that programs and initiatives are delivered and implemented on time, on budget and to the stated objectives. A big piece of this is to create a system for reporting and communicating where the various programs and initiatives are in the process. 
• Directs the administration and operation of the program/services by mitigating risks to the Minister by providing interpretation of policies, legislation, new initiatives and program revisions to the managers, employees, clients, internal and external stakeholders.
• Provides leadership within the program/services by utilizing a broad knowledge of policies, programs and legislation to establish collaborative relationships within Government, service providers, clients, families, ensuring mechanisms are in place for managers to monitor and report operational issues on policies, planning and solutions for identified issues.
• Manages the development and/or operation of aspects of the internal and external providing status updates, and tracking and reporting system with some guidance from senior leadership.
• Plans and implements quality framework which consists of ensuring standards are met and measured as benchmarks along with implementation of measures as part of continuous quality improvement related to the Actions to Accelerate the Skilled Trades.
• Leads and provides feedback on complex issues at the senior level and works in collaboration with partners for a resolution. Represents Department on committees with stakeholders to establish protocols in relation to program and related legislation. Responds and provides direction to Ministerial requests, develops speaking notes for media relations as required regarding program matters.
• Develops and/or delivers budget plans for division with some guidance from senior leadership. Delivers prescribed outcomes for a designated area of financial control by working within established systems.
• Ensures the effective management of human and financial resources by setting and evaluating staff performance targets, promoting diversity and a healthy workplace, demonstrating leadership competencies, respecting corporate human resources practices, promoting teamwork and individual development, maintaining internal communications, monitoring expenditures while adhering to procurement guidelines.
   

Qualifications and Experience

To be considered for this position you must have completed a bachelor's degree in Public Administration, Business Administration or a related field with several years experience in program management. Project Management training and certification would be considered an asset.

You will have strong understanding of project and risk management. Familiarity with budget planning and financial management within a governmental or large organizational context.

You will have excellent leadership skills. Strong analytical and problem solving abilities. Exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to develop speaking notes and respond to Ministerial requests. Ability to establish and maintain collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders. Proficiency in developing and implementing quality frameworks and continuous improvement measures. 

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.

Please follow LEADS (novascotia.ca) for more information.

We will assess the above qualifications and capabilities 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

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

Normal work week is 35 hours/week, 7 hours/day.
May be required to work overtime on occasion.
 

Additional Information

This is a one-year TERM employment opportunity with an anticipated end date of November 1, 2025. The appointment status (‘term’, ‘temporary’ or ‘casual’) is dependent on the start date of the successful candidate.
 

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.