Manager, Experience Development

About Us

The Department of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage (CCTH) supports communities across the province to be welcoming, inclusive and accessible, providing a great quality of life for Nova Scotians and a memorable experience for visitors. We value the collective diversity of our heritage and our people and believe in the transformative nature of culture to help create healthy, active, growing communities.
 

Tourism Nova Scotia, a division of CCTH, is focused on attracting visitors to the province and maximizing the value of tourism to Nova Scotia’s economy through research, experience and sector development, business coaching, marketing, and visitor servicing.

Primary Accountabilities

Reporting to the Director of Sector Development, the Experience Development Manager is responsible for championing and influencing the strategic development of tourism products, destinations and experiences that target key markets and motivate visitation to and within Nova Scotia.  The Manager supports the creation and enhancement of competitive, sustainable and revenue-generating product by industry partners in communities across Nova Scotia that is appealing to travellers and rooted in consumer research.  

The Manager is responsible for:
 

• assisting in the implementation of Tourism Nova Scotia’s mandate to support the economic growth and development of tourism as a key sector of the Province.  
• using and interpreting market research resources to make informed, evidence-based decisions, set strategic priorities, formulate programs, collaborate with partners and work with private sector businesses to realize concepts into competitive, market-ready, purchasable experiences.  
• developing, delivering and monitoring programs for tourism involving prospecting, evaluating, and recommending projects from the private sector, communities, and industry associations.  
• ensuring effective management of work plans, as well as contractual agreements, including overseeing work as required. 
• taking the lead in developing and managing key experience development relationships and partnerships, actively collaborating and working well with other colleagues within Tourism Nova Scotia, provincial departments and external partners (industry, sector associations, communities, other levels of government) to inform, share strategic product priorities and influence product/experience development by providing expert advice. 
• adhering to procurement guidelines, financial management and accurately forecasting budget requirements for the fiscal year.     

The position requires considerable latitude, initiative and resourcefulness in dealing with issues.  


The Manager leads the Experience Development section of the division to activate plans by providing daily technical and strategic direction to four (4) Experience Development Officers through leadership and practicing effective human resource management by setting targets, performance management and evaluation.  They develop and reinforce a culture in the Experience Development team that promotes professional rigour, relevance, innovation, insight, and timely work. They establish a workplace climate that supports collaboration, motivates teams, promotes achievement, and reflects CCTH values. 
 

Qualifications and Experience

Bachelor’s degree in either Tourism Management, Business or Public Relations with knowledge and experience within the tourism industry, or an acceptable combination of education and experience may be acceptable. Must have several years management experience with demonstrated strategic leadership skills. The successful candidate will be results oriented, be able to demonstrate excellent communication, interpersonal and presentation skills in preparing and delivering information with a range of stakeholders, and a high level of competence in written and verbal communication are essential, as well as demonstrated project management and performance management skills. The ability to maintain a high degree of attention to detail and accuracy while adhering to tight timelines is crucial to this position. Must have experience leading and managing a team, comfortable delegating responsibility and holding others accountable as well as experience managing an operational budget. The successful candidate will have experience with various software applications, including, but not limited to Microsoft Office (Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint). 

Equivalency

Applicants relying on education and experience equivalencies must demonstrate such equivalencies in their application.

We will assess the above qualifications using one or more of the following tools: written examination, standardized tests, oral presentations, interview(s), and reference checks.

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.

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

We will assess the above qualifications and competencies using one or more of the following tools: written examination, standardized tests, oral presentations, interview(s), and reference checks.

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

Tourism NS corporate offices are located in Windsor, however, travel to the Halifax office is required as well as travel province-wide, and occasionally out-of-province travel. 

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.