Director, Tax Policy

Role Responsibilities

Lead Alberta's Tax Policy Direction and Shape the Fiscal Landscape!
Are you an experienced tax expert with a passion for public policy? Join the Government of Alberta as a Director of Tax Policy and play a pivotal role in influencing Alberta’s tax framework, guiding crucial policy decisions, drafting legislation, and shaping the fiscal future of the province. With opportunities to lead complex projects, work with high-level stakeholders, and make impactful recommendations, this role is ideal for a professional eager to make a difference in the lives of Albertans.

As the Director, Tax Policy, you will be a key advisor and strategist within the Tax Policy branch of the Treasury Board and Finance. Reporting directly to the Executive Director, you’ll take on the role of a subject matter expert, providing in-depth analysis, legal insights, and guidance on intricate tax issues affecting Alberta’s fiscal landscape. This role requires a deep understanding of both Alberta and federal tax systems and offers you the chance to influence policies that shape Alberta’s economic competitiveness and fiscal stability.

In this role, you'll balance proactive research with reactive problem-solving, staying ahead of tax developments and adapting quickly to the needs of senior decision-makers, including the Treasury Board and Cabinet. This is a strategic position where your expertise will support decision-making at the highest levels, ensuring that Alberta’s tax policies are fair, effective, and aligned with provincial goals.

Role Responsibilities Continued

As a Director, you’ll:
•    Provide Expert Guidance: Act as a primary source of tax expertise within the department, leading high-stakes projects, advising on legislation, and tackling complex tax issues.
•    Influence Policy Decisions: Research and analyze tax issues relevant to Alberta, delivering recommendations to senior management, the Treasury Board, and Cabinet to inform tax-related fiscal decisions.
•    Develop and Manage Communication: Support the drafting of press releases, prepare responses for high-profile stakeholders, and communicate tax policy changes directly with federal and provincial officials, tax professionals, and the public.
•    Represent Alberta's Interests: Participate in intergovernmental working groups and committees, present Alberta's tax policy positions to senior officials, and maintain strong working relationships with federal, provincial, and territorial partners.
•    Mentor and Lead: Mentor and train junior staff within the Tax Policy branch, fostering professional growth and ensuring the team is equipped to handle Alberta’s complex tax landscape.

This role offers a unique blend of strategic leadership, technical expertise, and public service impact. As the Director of Tax Policy, you’ll have:
•    Direct Influence on Alberta’s Fiscal Policy: Shape the direction of Alberta’s tax policies and make recommendations that impact the province’s revenue streams and economic competitiveness.
•    High-Level Engagement: Work directly with senior government officials, including the Deputy Minister, Minister, and Treasury Board, ensuring that Alberta’s tax policies serve the public interest.
•    Diverse and Challenging Work: Engage in a wide range of tasks, from drafting and analyzing legislation to stakeholder communication, keeping your work both dynamic and meaningful.
•    Professional Growth: Lead impactful projects, manage a talented team, and have the opportunity to further your expertise in tax policy, legislation, and economic strategy.
•    Public Service Impact: Your work will directly impact Alberta taxpayers, shaping policies that promote fiscal stability and fairness across the province.

Please click on this link to view the job description

APS Competencies

Competencies are behaviors that are essential to reach our goals in serving Albertans. We encourage you to have an in depth understanding of the competencies that are required for this opportunity and to be prepared to demonstrate them during the recruitment process. 

The link below will assist you with understanding competencies: https://www.alberta.ca/system/files/custom_downloaded_images/psc-alberta-public-service-competency-model.pdf

Skill sets include:
 

• Build Collaborative Environments - Working collaboratively and liaising regularly with relevant GOA Ministries and other stakeholders as needed to ensure Ministry, Cross-Ministry, GoA, and FPT planning/reporting/policy /special-project requirements are met in a timely and effective manner, and complex initiatives are well-coordinated. 
• Drive for Results - Self-directed with the ability to work independently and collaboratively with others to achieve joint, high quality outputs in a timely fashion. This includes conducting research, analyzing relevant information, and providing value-added interpretation (applying concepts) in a timely manner, with strong attention to detail and accuracy. 
• Develop Self and Others - Taking a leadership role in cross-divisional policy problems, coordinating and leading multidisciplinary teams to generate solutions.
• Develop Networks - Ability to foster trusting and dependable working relationships with stakeholders.
• Agility – Adapt to shifting policy priorities, including the ability to work under pressure with tight timelines.
• Creative Problem Solving - Work strategically and to simultaneously assist in the management of a wide variety of issues, mobilizing resources and finding innovative solutions to complex issues and problems. Particularly, having an aptitude for problem solving and decision making, as well as mature judgment, tact and diplomacy.
• Systems Thinking – Consider broader legislation and regulatory frameworks in all aspects of policy analysis. This includes having the ability to identify and evaluate complex and sensitive issues that impact Albertans, government agencies, private sector, industry associations and interest groups.  Further, being able to synthesize complex materials and issues and utilize analytical skills to communicate clearly and concisely through written and verbal work.

Qualifications

A graduate degree in Economics, Public Policy, Business, Finance, Law or related discipline plus at least six years of experience in a similar role is required. An accounting designation is an asset.

•    Extensive knowledge of federal and provincial tax legislation.
•    Proven experience in both applied and theoretical taxation policy.
•    Demonstrated ability to meet tight deadlines while navigating complex environments.
•    Strong interpersonal, communication, and negotiation skills to engage with diverse stakeholders.

The following are considered assets:
•    Completion of the CICA/CPA in-depth tax course.
•    Deep knowledge of tax administration practices.
•    Experience in legislative drafting and an ability to foresee potential impacts of tax policy on Alberta’s fiscal health and taxpayer landscape.

This role is central to Alberta’s ability to maintain a competitive, fair, and resilient tax system. As Senior Manager, Tax Policy, your expertise will enable the Government of Alberta to respond adeptly to emerging tax issues, influence national tax policies, and promote Alberta’s fiscal interests. You’ll be part of a dedicated team, where your insights will shape policy decisions and secure Alberta’s fiscal future.

Equivalency: An equivalent combination of education and experience may be applied.

Notes

Location: Federal Building, 9820 107 St NW, Edmonton, AB T5K 1E7 

Hours of Work: 36.25 Hours per week, Monday to Friday; 8:15 AM – 4:30 PM 

Note: This is a permanent full-time position.

Other information:
•    A cover letter outlining how your experience relates to the qualifications of this role is required.

What we offer:
 

•    Pension plans: Management Employees Pension Plan (MEPP) – https://www.mepp.ca
•    Alberta Public Service Benefit Information - https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-benefits 
•    Leadership and mentorship programs 
•    Professional learning and development - https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-human-resource-directives
•    Positive workplace culture and work-life balance
•    Opportunity to participate in flexible work arrangements such as working from home up to two days per week. 
•    Research Alberta Public Service Careers tool – https://researchapscareers.alberta.ca

Any costs associated with obtaining the required documents/checks as noted or interview travel expenses, will be the responsibility of the candidate. Out-of-province applicants can obtain the required documents/checks from the province they currently reside in. 

Working for the Alberta Public Service – https://www.alberta.ca/advantages- working-for-alberta-public-service.aspx