Senior Executive Director Labour Service

Who We Are

The Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration (LSI) is responsible to help grow the province’s population, develop our current and future workforce, and foster inclusive, safe and fair workplaces. We do this by working as a trusted partner across government, with employers and community, and with and on behalf of the citizens of Nova Scotia in an environment where different perspectives and experiences are welcomed and valued.  We don’t just accept difference – we are committed to a supportive culture of diversity, inclusion and belonging. We work together to create a future where everyone has an opportunity to thrive.

The Labour Services Branch administers the province’s labour and employment legislation and helps ensure Nova Scotia’s labour and employment laws are fair and balanced for both employers and employees. It carries out this work through four divisions: Labour Standards, Conciliation and Mediation Services, Workers’ Advisers Program, and the Labour Board. 
 

Who You Are

You have a solid reputation for balancing the provision of sound advice to government while providing client-focused services to employers, employees, unions and individuals.  You are focused on client service excellence and continually improving services for Nova Scotians. You are an executive level leader who can build, support and lead teams of high-performing professionals, and are skilled at proactively managing relationships in challenging environments where there may be considerable tension. You can balance varying perspectives with a focus on identifying solutions, without compromising neutrality or any statutory mandates. You provide executive level advice and guidance to Ministers, Deputy Ministers and Associate Deputy Ministers. You can establish effective relationships with highly skilled negotiators and advocates representing labour and management, arbitrators, labour consultants, senior executives in both the private and public sector, management organizations, labour organizations, and unions. You do all of this while creating and growing an environment that is diverse, welcoming and inclusive, working as a key member of the department’s Executive Leadership Team. 
 

The Role and Its Impact

As the Senior Executive Director, you lead teams whose results are reflected by the stability of labour management relations in Nova Scotia, affecting the economic sustainability and future of the province. The programs and services you lead safeguard the employment rights and ensure compliance with employment responsibilities of employers, unions, employees, and workers, providing fair, accessible, timely and transparent appeal or adjudicative processes and alternate dispute resolution processes. You make decisions in a fast-paced environment that involves consideration of the needs and interests of multiple parties, corporate priorities, governmental policy framework, and legislative mandates. You set the agenda for the development of regulatory frameworks and define the broad operational parameters and guiding principles for the management of provincial labour programs and services. Your advice and guidance to Deputies and Ministers results in effective addressing of labour issues of strategic importance to Nova Scotians, stakeholders and government. 
 

Primary Accountabilities

• Coordinate and provide strong leadership to Labour Standards, Conciliation and Mediation Services, Workers’ Advisers Program, and the Nova Scotia Labour Board.
• Create and maintain a high profile of respect as a neutral body in the labour-management community; ensure decision-making is transparent and accountable; ensure engagement with community partners is balanced.
• Represent LSI at the federal/provincial level, in national and international programs and reports, in matters related to Labour Services.
   

Qualifications and Experience

Ideally, you have a university degree in Law, Labour Relations or Public Administration, and five (5) years of progressive experience that includes senior level positions responsible for leading and developing complex and diverse teams.

You can provide evidence of being known as a strategic thinker, a skilled and analytical problem solver, and an effective facilitator who has experience in labour relations and employment matters. 

Throughout your career, you have handled increasingly strategic, complex, sensitive, and sometimes contentious issues. You have learned the value of strong verbal and written 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

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

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.
 

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.