Tourism Development Advisor - Planning and Development Officer 1-2

About Us

The Department of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage 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 experience and sector development, business coaching, marketing, and visitor servicing. This work is guided by the Tourism Sector Strategy for Nova Scotia, a shared strategy with industry and partners that aligns efforts around a vision for sustainable, year-round tourism growth.

About Our Opportunity

As a Tourism Development Advisor, you will play a key role in advancing Nova Scotia’s tourism sector by leading the development of market-ready tourism experiences that align with visitor demand, travel trends, and strategic priorities.

Working as part of the Experience Development team, you will implement product and experience development initiatives that enhance the quality, competitiveness, and distinctiveness of Nova Scotia’s tourism offerings. Using a strong understanding of consumer motivations and market insights, you will support businesses and communities in developing compelling tourism products, experiences, and destinations that increase traveller appeal and strengthen the province’s tourism offering.

In this role, you will provide advisory services and coaching to tourism operators, non-profits, and communities; design and deliver tourism capacity-building tools, resources, and development programs; evaluate tourism investment opportunities; and support research and planning initiatives that inform product and experience development. You will also build strong partnerships across industry and government to advance coordinated, high-impact development efforts.

This position operates in a dynamic, relationship-driven environment and requires strong facilitation, collaboration, communication, and strategic thinking skills, along with the ability to manage multiple priorities.

This position reports to the Manager, Experience Development.

Primary Accountabilities

As the Tourism Development Advisor, you will:

• Lead and implement tourism product and experience development initiatives that improve the quality, sustainability, and market-readiness of Nova Scotia’s tourism offerings
• Support communities, industry, and other levels of government in the preparation and implementation of strategic tourism plans
• Provide coaching and advisory services to tourism businesses, communities, and organizations to support planning, development, and market alignment
• Design, deliver, and implement development programs across their full lifecycle, including application intake, evaluation, stakeholder coordination, contract management, monitoring, and reporting
• Build and maintain strong relationships with tourism stakeholders, community partners, and federal, provincial, and municipal organizations to advance development priorities
• Evaluate tourism-related proposals and investment opportunities, providing analysis and recommendations aligned with strategic objectives
• Lead or support tourism development and research initiatives in collaboration with internal teams and external partners to inform decision-making
• Contribute to departmental communications, including briefing notes, stakeholder correspondence, presentations, and participation in industry events and committees

Qualifications and Experience

To be successful in this role, you have:

• A bachelor’s degree in Business, Tourism, Public Relations, Community Development, Economic Development, Planning, or a related field focused on stakeholder engagement, community development, or program delivery, plus one (1) year of related experience in tourism, economic development, community development, or program delivery
• Strong facilitation, communication, relationship-building, and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to work collaboratively across communities, sectors, and partners
• Demonstrated project management skills and strategic orientation, with the ability to lead initiatives, manage multiple priorities, and deliver results
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, and time management skills, with sound judgement and discretion
• Experience managing meetings, handling complex or sensitive situations, and representing an organization in a professional capacity
• Experience managing projects or programs, including coordinating multiple priorities and timelines
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including experience preparing briefing materials and delivering presentations
• Demonstrated analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to evaluate proposals and make sound recommendations
• The ability to exercise sound judgement, discretion, and professionalism in a government or client-service environment
• Experience using Microsoft Office 365 applications and digital tools

While not required, it is considered an asset if you possess: 

• Public sector experience, including knowledge of public sector policies, programs, and services
• Ability and willingness to travel (valid driver’s license considered an asset)
  Written and verbal communication skills in French
  
  

Candidates may be assessed using one or more of the following tools: written examination, standardized tests, oral presentations, interview(s), and reference checks.

Equivalency

An equivalent combination of training, education and experience will be considered. Applicants relying on education and experience equivalencies must demonstrate such equivalencies in their application.

An equivalency may be considered, such as five (5) years of related experience in the tourism industry.

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.