Director, Policy Coordination

Role Responsibilities

Reporting to the Executive Director, Strategic Policy and Legislative Services, this position plays a critical role in supporting the delivery of the ministry's strategic policy agenda. The Director will be responsible for guiding and overseeing the coordination of policy initiatives, managing key stakeholder relationships, and ensuring alignment with the department’s legislative priorities.
 

Responsibilities for the position include: 
Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the strategic planning and mapping of policy initiatives across the department, including tracking and reporting on priorities.
• Provide advice on the government decision making process.
• Oversee the coordination and approval of engagement planning documents.
• Analyze interrelated and independent components of policy initiatives to identify inconsistencies, risks, and alignment opportunities.
• Proactively integrate and align strategic policy initiatives with ministry priorities.
• Collaborate closely with stakeholders to ensure alignment of policy work with their business priorities.
• Lead the Policy Coordination Unit, consisting of a manager and policy coordination advisors.
• Serve as a liaison with the Health Deputy Minister's Office and Executive Council on Health’s priority items.
• Consult with Alberta Health’s internal divisions to coordinate legislative, regulatory and policy priorities.
• Mentor, motivate, and develop staff within the Policy Coordination Unit, fostering a positive and collaborative team culture.
• Prepare and deliver briefings to senior leadership, synthesizing policy, research, and analysis to inform decision-making.
• Work collaboratively across departments and divisions, establishing partnerships to ensure optimal coordination and planning of departmental policy and legislative priorities.
• Support the Executive Director in tracking and delivering on branch priorities and provide coverage for the Executive Director when needed.

Leadership and Collaboration:

• Provide leadership, guidance, and direction to staff, demonstrating strong decision-making skills, political astuteness, and sensitivity to issues.
• Build consensus and collaborate effectively across various levels of the organization to achieve departmental goals.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and staff development within the unit.
• Engage in financial management, human resources management, and labour relations to ensure a high-functioning unit.

Please click on this link to view the job description for this position.

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.
 

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

Systems Thinking:

• Plans for how current situation is affected by broader trends.
• Integrates issues, political environment and risks when considering possible actions.
• Supports organization vision and goals through strategy.
• Addresses behaviours that challenge progress.

Agility:

• Creates opportunities for improvement.
• Is aware of and adapts to changing priorities.
• Remains objective under pressure and supports others to manage their emotions.
• Proactively explains impact of change on roles and integrates change in existing work.
• Readily adapts plans and practices.

Develop Networks:

• Creates impactful relationships with the right people.
• Ensures needs of varying groups are represented.
• Goes beyond to meet stakeholder needs.
• Ensures all needs are heard and understood.

Drive for Results:

• Forecasts and proactively addresses project challenges.
• Removes barriers to collaboration and achievement of outcomes.
• Upholds principles and confronts problems directly.
• Considers complex factors and aligns solutions with broader organization mission.

Qualifications

Minimum Recruitment Standards
University graduation in Public Administration or other related field supplemented by seven years of progressively responsible experience.

Related experience or education may be considered as an equivalency on a one for one basis:

• 1 year of education for 1 year of experience; or
• 1 year of experience for 1 year of education. 

The following experience is required: 

• Extensive knowledge and understanding of the needs of executive level decision-makers to help guide policy and priority initiative development and integration.
• Project management methodologies, frameworks and processes including work breakdown structures, critical path methodologies, project resource management, etc.
• Supervisory and/or management leadership experience.
• Relationship building experience.
• Building collaborative teams.
• Managing and leading in a large and complex work environment.
• Managing conflicting issues.
• Experience in development of briefing materials for executive-level decision makers.
• Experience in policy development and integration.
• Human resources and labour relations experience.

The following are considered assets: 

• Health system structures, accountabilities, programs, and services.
• Public Sector financial forecasting and budget management.

The following experience will be given preference:

• Master's Degree in a related field.

Minimum recruitment standards outline the minimum education and experience required for appointment to a job classification. 

Refer to https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-minimum-recruitment-standards.

Notes

This is a full-time position working 36.25 hours per week.
 

Candidates with lesser qualifications may be considered at a lower classification and salary. This competition may be used to fill future roles at the same or lower classifications.

The final candidates may be required to undergo pre-employment checks (Reference check/Criminal record and/or academic).

A cover letter outlining how your experience relates to the qualifications outlined in this job ad is required. 

In your resume, please include dates (including months and years) associated with all education and work experience. Also, please indicate whether your work experience is casual, part-time, or full-time. For example, January 15, 2006 - June 25, 2009: Assistant (PT three 8 hrs. shifts/week).

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. 

What we offer:

• Working for the Alberta Public Service – https://www.alberta.ca/advantages-working-for-alberta-public-service.aspx
• Management Employees Pension Plan (MEPP) - https://www.mepp.ca
• Alberta Public Service Benefit Information - https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-benefits    
• Professional learning and development - https://www.alberta.ca/professional-development-support-directive
• Research Alberta Public Service Careers tool – https://researchapscareers.alberta.ca
• 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 and modified work schedule agreements
• Leadership and mentorship programs