Senior Strategist

About Us

The Office of Addictions and Mental Health (OAMH) provides provincial leadership, strategic direction, and policy oversight for mental health and addictions services in Nova Scotia, with a clear mandate to advance timely, equitable, and universal access to care.

OAMH establishes system priorities, develops policy and strategy, and oversees the effective use of public investments to ensure accessible, high-quality, and evidence-informed services across the province. Central to its mandate is the planning, funding, and performance oversight of a comprehensive continuum of mental health and addictions services, with a focus on ensuring that all Nova Scotians can access the care they need, when and where they need it.

Working in close partnership with Nova Scotia Health, IWK Health, and community-based organizations, OAMH supports the delivery of coordinated, person-centred services spanning prevention, early intervention, treatment, and recovery. The Office is responsible for advancing system integration, monitoring performance, and driving continuous improvement to strengthen access, quality, and outcomes.

Through collaboration with partners across government and sectors, OAMH addresses the broader social determinants of health and advances a coordinated, system-wide approach to achieving universal access and improving mental health and addictions outcomes for Nova Scotians.

About Our Opportunity

As a Senior Strategist with the Office of Addictions and Mental Health, you will play a meaningful role in shaping programs and policies that impact the health and well being of Nova Scotians. Working at the intersection of policy, service delivery, and system improvement, you will influence how mental health and addictions services are designed, delivered, and experienced across the province. 

This position brings a focused leadership mandate for the Insured Services Program (ISP), a key component of Nova Scotia’s mental health and addictions system.  In this capacity, you will guide the strategic direction, implementation, and continuous improvement of publicly insured mental health services – ensuring they are accessible, equitable, sustainable, and responsive to the diverse needs of Nova Scotians.

You will collaborate with a broad network of partners, including colleagues across government, Nova Scotia Health, IWK Health, and community organizations, to advance a more connected, person-centred system of care. Through these partnerships, you will support improved care pathways, system navigation, and the integration of insured services within the broader continuum of care.  

In this leadership role, you will oversee and support a team of policy professionals while contributing to complex, high impact initiatives. You will provide strategic oversight of the ISP, including contracted service delivery, program performance, and quality improvement. Your work will ensure alignment with government priorities, strengthen accountability, and support evidence-informed decision-making to improve outcomes for individuals and communities.

This is a unique opportunity to lead meaningful system-level change in a complex and evolving environment. If you are motivated by advancing equity, strengthening access to care, and shaping high-quality mental health and addictions services, this role offers the opportunity to make lasting impact. meaningful work, collaboration, and the opportunity to drive positive system level change, this is a chance to make a lasting impact.

Primary Accountabilities

In this role as a Senior Strategist with OAMH, you will:

• Lead and support a team of policy professionals to deliver high quality, evidence informed analysis, briefing materials, and strategic advice that informs decision making. 
• Provide strategic leadership on complex initiatives, including policy development, program planning, and system improvement efforts across the mental health and addictions continuum. 
• Build and maintain strong relationships with partners across government, health authorities, and the community sector to support integrated, person centred approaches to care. 
• Monitor and assess the effectiveness of programs and services, ensuring alignment with legislation, policy frameworks, contracts, and desired outcomes. 
• Provide advice to senior leadership on the implications of policy, operational, and funding decisions, helping to identify risks, opportunities, and innovative solutions. 
• Foster a respectful, inclusive, and collaborative team environment by supporting employee development, encouraging diverse perspectives, and promoting wellbeing in the workplace. 
• Lead or contribute to cross departmental and intergovernmental working groups, helping to advance shared priorities and system alignment. 
  
  

Insured Services Program Accountabilities:

As the Senior Strategist with particular focus on the ISP, you will: 

• Provide strategic leadership for the Insured Services Program, setting direction and ensuring alignment with government priorities, population needs, and the broader mental health and addictions system. 
• Lead policy, program planning, and system improvement initiatives related to insured services, including identifying service gaps, advising on expansion opportunities, and supporting implementation of new service streams. 
• Oversee contracted service delivery, providing strategic direction to ISP operational and clinical leads, and ensuring services are delivered in accordance with contracts, legislation, policy, and expected outcomes. 
• Monitor and evaluate program performance, using data and evidence to assess access, quality, equity, and efficiency, and to drive continuous improvement and sustainability. 
• Identify and manage strategic and operational risks, including those related to demand, workforce capacity, fiscal pressures, and system integration, and provide advice to senior leadership on mitigation strategies and opportunities. 
• Lead and support a team of policy professionals, fostering an inclusive, collaborative, and high-performing environment while guiding the development of briefings, submissions, and strategic advice. 
• Advance evidence-informed policy and decision-making, integrating research, clinical best practices, and equity considerations into policy development, standards, and recommendations. 
• Build and sustain strong partnerships with health system partners, government departments, and community organizations to strengthen integration, shared accountability, and coordinated care pathways. 
• Contribute to a respectful and inclusive workplace culture, valuing diverse perspectives, supporting employee wellbeing, and demonstrating a commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. 
  
  

Qualifications and Experience

We recognize that candidates may bring a combination of education and experience that demonstrates their readiness for this role. If your background is not a perfect match, we still encourage you to apply

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• A bachelor’s degree in a related field, along with several years of experience in policy, program development, or a related area (or an equivalent combination of education and experience). 
• Experience leading or supporting teams, with a demonstrated ability to build inclusive, collaborative, and high performing work environments. 
• Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills, with the ability to understand complex issues and translate them into clear, actionable recommendations. 
• Excellent communication and relationship building skills, with the ability to engage effectively with a variety of partners and stakeholders. 
• Experience managing competing priorities in a dynamic environment, using sound judgment and adaptability to navigate change. 
• A demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and cultural competence, and an understanding of how these principles shape policy and service delivery. 
• Experience working within complex systems—such as healthcare, mental health and addictions, or other public sector environments—including leading or supporting program implementation, overseeing service providers or contracts, and using data to inform performance and continuous improvement.

Assets include:

• Experience working within government or a complex public sector environment. 
• Knowledge of mental health and addictions systems, programs, or policy. 
• A mindset focused on continuous improvement and data informed decision making. 
  
  

We will assess the above qualifications and experience using tools such as assessments, presentations, interviews, reference checks, etc.

Equivalency

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

Most of your work will take place in a collaborative, office-based or hybrid work environment, where you will have access to the tools and supports needed to succeed. Your regular work week is 35 hours, with flexibility in how your work is organized to support both operational needs and work-life balance. 

This role involves working on complex, high priority initiatives that may require balancing multiple deliverables, timelines, and perspectives. You will engage with a wide range of partners, including senior leaders, clinicians, and community organizations, and contribute to discussions on sensitive and impactful topics related to mental health and addictions.

Occasional travel within the province (and potentially beyond) may be required for meetings, collaboration, or presentations.

We recognize the importance of creating a healthy, respectful, and inclusive workplace. In this role, you will be supported in prioritizing well-being, managing competing demands, and accessing resources that help you thrive both professionally and personally.

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.