Senior Program Manager (Engineering and Project Delivery)

About Us

Help shape the future of the regional transportation system in Nova Scotia. Link Nova Scotia (formerly known as the Joint Regional Transportation Agency) is a provincial Crown corporation tasked with long-range strategic transportation planning across Halifax and surrounding communities. We work across jurisdictions and levels of government to promote collaboration and development of innovative transportation solutions.

The Halifax Regional Municipality and surrounding communities have been experiencing rapid population and economic growth, making transportation one of the provinces top priorities. Meeting this challenge requires strong collaboration across all levels of government, businesses, communities, and interest groups, and a long-term strategy to ensure the region’s transportation system is resilient, efficient and sustainable.

We’re seeking an individual who thrives in a fast-paced professional environment and is keen to contribute innovative ideas and implement modern solutions. At Link Nova Scotia, you will make a meaningful contribution to strengthening the infrastructure and transportation networks that are the lifeblood of community and commerce—supporting the province’s economy, tourism, manufacturing, service, and resource sectors. You will also play a role in advancing core government priorities and coordinating major multi-department initiatives that align with Nova Scotia’s long-term growth.

About Our Opportunity

As the province grows, finding better ways to move people and goods more efficiently and sustainably is critical to the overall economic prosperity of the province. The Senior Program Manager (Engineering and Project Delivery) plays a pivotal role in shaping the future by driving innovative solutions that strengthen project planning, design, and infrastructure delivery. This is a unique opportunity to lead or support complex, high-profile projects from initial planning and design through procurement and delivery.

In this role, you will provide daily leadership to a team of project managers, consultants, and technical advisors, fostering collaboration across multiple jurisdictions, government departments, and industry partners. You will oversee several project management processes including development of project charters, budgets, schedules, procurement strategies, and risk management frameworks while ensuring the highest standards of quality, accountability and innovation.

The Senior Program Manager also champions forwarding-thinking approaches, such as flexible procurement strategies and early industry collaboration, the integration of digital tools, and early risk analysis to better inform project implementation. With strong relationships across municipal, provincial, and industry partners, you will act as the bridge between strategy and delivery—turning long-term transportation plans into tangible results that improve mobility, reduce congestion, and enhance the quality of life for communities across Halifax and beyond.

If you are a proven leader who thrives in complex, fast-paced environments, brings innovative approaches to planning and engineering, and excels at building partnerships across sectors, this is your opportunity to make a lasting impact on Nova Scotia’s transportation system.

Primary Accountabilities

Reporting to the Director of Engineering, the Senior Program Manager is responsible for the daily leadership and coordination of project planning, engineering, design and procurement activities from initial project development through to handover. The role provides direction to project managers, external consultants and technical advisors to ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to the highest standards.

This Senior Program Manager provides effective oversight of project management and consulting Services by managing both short- and long-term project budgets, assigning internal and/or external resources projects based on capacity, expertise and scheduling requirements, and monitoring overall resource allocation. They are accountable for the effective management of human and financial resources—setting and evaluating staff performance targets, fostering a healthy and diverse workplace, demonstrating leadership competencies, monitoring project expenditures and recoveries, accurately forecasting budget requirements, and adhering to public procurement guidelines.

This role ensures deliverables are met by conducting detailed contract closeout and handoff processes, incorporating input from all key stakeholders to confirm project outcomes are achieved. The Senior Program Manager also contributes to the procurement of services and coordinating the delivery of these services by use of Provincial standard process for payment. Additionally, the position ensures compliance with project–specific procedures and reporting requirements, including the development and upkeep of project charters, schedules, work breakdown structures, risk registers, and budget tracking and forecasting.

Qualifications and Experience

The ideal candidate will have a university degree in a relevant discipline (e.g., Civil Engineering, or Planning), along with several years of program and/or project management experience in transportation planning, engineering, infrastructure delivery, or a related field. Professional certification in project management (e.g. PMP) would be an asset. An acceptable equivalent combination of education, training and experience may be considered. In addition to this, the following qualifications, skills and experience are required:

• Transportation Expertise: Experience with transportation infrastructure planning, design and delivery processes, as well as a strong understanding of transportation policies, regulations, and funding mechanisms at all levels of government.
• Project Leadership: Proven track record of large-scale transportation planning and infrastructure projects and programs, from conception to completion, including design development, procurement, contract administration, and risk management.
• Communication and Interpersonal Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to distill complex issues into clear, actionable insights and present effectively to senior leaders, stakeholders and the public.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Skilled at building and maintaining relationships with municipal, provincial, and federal partners, industry associations, consultants, and contractors, with the ability to navigate complex political, regulatory, and organizational environments, building consensus and driving change in support of transportation goals and objectives.
• Innovation and Problem Solving: Demonstrated ability to apply innovative approaches such as flexible procurement strategies, accelerated delivery models, pre-design, risk management strategies, and digital tools to improve decision-making and project outcomes.
• Leadership and People Management: Demonstrated leadership abilities, including experience managing multidisciplinary teams, fostering collaboration, promoting diversity and inclusion, and mentoring staff to achieve organizational and project goals.
• Strategic and Financial Management: Strong background in strategic and innovative thinking, operations and budget oversight, with the ability to align projects to government priorities and demonstrate fiscal accountability.

Qualifications and Experience Continued

The successful applicant will be energetic, purpose-driven, and highly adaptable—capable of prioritizing competing demands, adjusting quickly to change, and making sound decisions under pressure. They will thrive in a high-functioning team environment while also demonstrating independence, initiative, and a results-oriented mindset.

Assessment of qualifications and competencies may include using one or more of the following tools: written examination, standardized tests, oral presentations, interview(s), and reference checks.

Equivalency

We recognize equivalent combinations of training, education, and experience, providing opportunities for individuals with diverse backgrounds to contribute their skills and expertise. 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

Your normal work week is typically 35 hours/week, 7 hours/day. You may be required to work overtime on occasion.

The majority of your work is conducted in a comfortable office environment in downtown Halifax, with moderate travel required within and outside of the Province.

This role requires the ability to balance multiple priorities and adapt to shifting project requirements. You must be able to manage stressful and complex situations in a high-profile environment, often under tight deadlines and public scrutiny. At the same time, this position offers the opportunity to influence major transformative projects that directly support the province’s long-term growth and sustainability.

What We Offer

Career development: 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.
Variety of career paths: opportunities to grow within planning, engineering, program delivery, and leadership roles.
Meaningful impact: contribute to shaping Nova Scotia’s transportation system and supporting the province’s communities, economy and future prosperity.