Senior Executive Director, Corporate Policy and Services

Valuing Diversity

At Labour, Skills and Immigration we don’t just accept difference – we celebrate a supportive culture of diversity, inclusion and belonging.
We work hard to create an environment where different perspectives and experiences are welcome and valued.
We are committed to helping diverse talent thrive. We encourage applications from those that equally value diversity.

About Us

The Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration is a dynamic and innovative department that is focused on strategies, policies and programs that help people live, learn and work to their highest potential in vibrant businesses and organizations throughout the province. The mandate of the Corporate Policy and Services Branch of the Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration is the department’s primary link with broader government. The Branch helps ensure the department aligns with and adheres to government policies, priorities, and processes, and in turn supports government decision-making.

The branch is responsible for:

• Coordinating the government’s information access and privacy policy on behalf of the department;
• Coordinating appointments to agencies, boards and commissions;
• Liaising with Executive Council Office on all submissions;
• Leading performance management, agreement management and initiative management/implementation,
• Overseeing facility management;
• Preparing documentation on Standing Committee appearances;
• Planning with and supporting intergovernmental affairs;
• Working with Branches on coordinating Ministerial Approval Request Forms;
• Preparing materials for the sitting of the Legislature.

The branch’s Corporate Policy and Services programs:

• Policy and Planning - developing legislation, regulations and policies (including submissions to Executive Council), preparing ministerial and deputy ministerial briefing materials, and in policy analysis. The division also takes a leadership role in the development of strategic initiatives, including relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Professional Services - Facilities Management, Health and Safety, Records Management. The division coordinates services including real property and office space allocation, internal health and safety, records and information management. The division also coordinates the internal health and safety program on behalf of the department.
• Research, Accountability and Intergovernmental Affairs - planning and decision-support to the department and its stakeholders through strategic and collaborative research and analysis, information sharing, evaluation and consultation support, accountability systems, and intergovernmental relations.

About Our Opportunity

The Senior Executive Director of the Corporate Policy and Services Branch provides executive leadership to department and Government staff, unions, business, community and educational/training stakeholders and industry in creating comprehensive, collaborative and effective strategies which substantially impact the Department's legislative program, budget development and regulatory agenda. The Senior Executive Director is a member of the Executive Leadership Team contributing to the development, implementation and evaluation of departmental goals and objectives as well as the design and development of departmental programs. She/he leads a multi-faceted branch made of three divisions (and additional responsibilities in Correspondence, FOIPOP, other corporate coordination) with broad and disparate responsibilities that support the department, Government, communities and other stakeholders. These functions include departmental Business Planning and Accountability Reporting and other corporate obligations (i.e. OHS); Policy, Legislative and Regulatory Management; Labour Market Information, Products and Research; Information Management; Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy (FOIPOP); Correspondence; Professional Services and Facilities Management. The Senior Executive Director must understand the complexity of the stakeholder relationships; the legislative mandate of the department; and the role of the courts and administrative tribunals in determining labour and constitutional issues.

The Senior Executive Director provides strategic advice on legislative and policy development and develops recommendations for the solution of complex and sensitive policies and long range planning matters, coordinates the department's Cabinet and legislative agendas, federal/provincial relations, and supports effective participation in national/regional intergovernmental bodies by the Minister and Deputy Minister/Associate Deputy Minister; is responsible for developing innovative approaches and to integrate policy, projects and activities related to Labour, Skills and Immigration in cross departmental and horizontal government initiatives; oversees labour market forecasting supporting employers and other stakeholders and the government's career web site: ExploreCareers.. The Senior Executive Director oversees the effective development of planning for leaseholds, administration and information management for the department's head and regional offices, computer refreshes, business intelligence, tangible capital asset requests and Government Procurement.

Primary Accountabilities

The Senior Executive Director is responsible for the following key accountabilities:

Oversees the development and/or review and amendment of legislation in accordance with the strategic priorities of the department and its legislative/regulatory policy framework, as well as the formulation of related policy options for executive consideration, including legislative proposals, pending legislation and bill reports, all supported by timely, relevant research and analysis; reviews other governmental policy documents to ensure consistency with the Department’s legislative agenda.

Coordinates both the Deputy Minister and the Minister’s regular briefing agendas each week and works with the Branches to prepare timely, relevant, well­ researched briefing materials for the Minister, Deputy Minister and Associate Deputy Minister which effectively present the key issues and recommendations respecting current or anticipated issues of public interest or concern. Serves as a senior advisor to the ADM, DM and Minister on policy and legislative matters. Coordinates support of the ADM, DM and Minister in regard to legislation or other issues.

Coordinates and formulates policy analysis and advises on department-related principles, practices and trends; department programs, negotiation of agreements and labour market research; and federal/provincial relations to support effective participation by the Minister, Deputy Minister and Associate Deputy Minister in national/regional intergovernmental bodies, including , the Canadian Association of Administrators of Labour Legislation, the Forum of Labour Market Ministers,  and the International Labour Organization.

Provides timely coordination and liaison with Treasury Board Officeand Executive Council Office, with respect to the Cabinet and legislative agendas of the department, TCA requests, RIFTS and PSR requests and ABC appointments. Oversees the ABC application and screening process for approximately 15 adjudicative and non-adjudicative ABCs administered by the department and in partnership with stakeholders.

.

Oversees the department's management of leases and property issues for head and regional offices (21 locations and 500+ employees); ; the corporate and department's INSIGHTS system for tracking and monitoring strategic and business plan objectives and Minister Mandate Letter items; Staff training and educational development and engagement initiatives; Information management including the Central Registry, Access and Privacy, and connection to the Information, Access and Privacy  Office; internal Occupational Health and Safety Program, employment equity for the Branch, business continuity planning, corporate obligations; telecommunications; and departmental databases.

Provides effective, client-focused leadership and management of the Corporate Policy and Services Branch through operational planning and priority setting which supports the department's strategic priorities: performance management and development of staff to meet the department's current and future skills requirement and individual career development goals; and effective management and execution of the Branch's budget. This includes effective leadership and project management for major corporate reorganization and structural changes, including the creation of new offices, the development of information management policies and the effective oversight of physical and administrative services to staff.

Is a member of the senior executive leadership team of the Department and actively contributes to achieving departmental priorities through business planning, budget preparation, talent management, equity, diversity and belonging, and other corporate goals.

The Senior ED will also be charged with developing and implementing the following functions for the branch in support of departmental goals. 

• strategic performance management, including the establishment of departmental priorities and performance targets; monitors, analyzes, and reports on performance outcomes to inform executive decision‑making and continuous improvement in alignment with government priorities.
• corporate agreement management for all provincially funded service provider relationships and partnership agreements, ensuring accountability, compliance, performance monitoring, and effective delivery of programs and services that support Nova Scotians.
• strategic leadership and coordination for high‑priority departmental and cross‑government initiatives, ensuring alignment with the government’s policy agenda, effective resource planning, and successful execution of strategic projects.
  
  

Qualifications and Experience

As the ideal candidate, you have experience leading and developing complex and diverse teams. You have demonstrated a high level of integrity through progressive leadership experience. Your outstanding leadership abilities are showcased through your commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion. You have demonstrated an ability to shape a positive and collaborative organizational environment that develops people and relationships that affect positive change.

As the senior lead for the Corporate Policy and Services Branch, you are known as a strategic thinker and have demonstrated this skill while effectively deploying available financial, human, and material resources. You are a skilled negotiator who has liaised and negotiated with various levels of government, and have demonstrated an understanding of government processes, policy development and legislation. You are skilled at performance measurement and oversight of systems, monitoring and management of service provider agreements, as well as supporting the achievement of strategic priorities and initiative support/implementation.

Throughout your career, you have handled increasingly strategic, complex, sensitive, and sometimes contentious issues. You have learned the value of strong communication skills and collaborative working relationships in managing challenges and developing responsive solutions in an environment with multiple and competing priorities. You are experienced at public communication with citizens, community partners and media.

We ask that you apply for this position with a cover letter and résumé that demonstrate:

• Post-secondary studies (University, College, Professional Designation)
• Five (5) years of progressive experience that includes senior leadership, managing large teams and budgets
• A demonstrated commitment to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
• Experience working with federal and/or provincial government partners
• Experience in leading community organizations and/or regional and/or province-wide work teams
  
  

Additional Assets for this role include:

• While not required, bilingualism (French/English) is an asset
  
  

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.

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

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

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.