Director, Policy and Program Coordination

Role Responsibilities

The Director, Policy and Program Coordination provides strategic leadership for the PSB by overseeing divisional coordination, operational planning , and alignment with departmental priorities. The Director leads business continuity planning, monitors divisional priorities and performance, and manages the development of annual reposts and strategic reporting processes. The position also directs policy support across PSB branches, guiding legislative development, policy tracking, and secretariat services for specialized programs. Additionally, the Director oversees divisional communications, document design, and web presence, while managing financial oversight and workforce planning to support effective program delivery.

The Director works closely with the management team to achieve the following key results:

Lead strategic policy support, legislative planning and project management priorities:
•    Development of policy packages for review and approval from departmental senior leadership, Assistant Deputy Minister-level committee, Deputy Minister-level committee, and various Cabinet Committees including but not limited to the Public Safety and Wellness Cabinet Policy Committee, Legislative Review Committee, Treasury Board Committee, Cabinet and other appropriate and relevant tables.
•    Manage the review, development or updating of legislation, regulations, Ministerial Orders and others as required, and ensure appropriate internal and external approvals are secured to ensure timely progress.
•    Work closely with subject matter experts in the division (i.e. Pharmaceutical and Health Benefits Branch, Health Insurance Programs Branch and Divisional Services Branch), as well as other divisions (e.g. Finance, Communications and Public Engagement, Legal Services, Strategic Policy and Legislative Planning, etc.) and ministries to advance policy priorities. This would include coordinating ministry/cross-ministry consequential amendments to legislation/regulations that are required as a result of divisional policy changes.

Overseeing operations of the Technical Writing Team:
•    Coordinate the routings of all Action Requests on behalf of the Assistant Deputy Minister's office.
•    Drafting and review of correspondence (e.g. letters, memorandums, emails, etc.) to Albertans, stakeholders, Government of Alberta senior leadership, political officials and others on behalf of program areas, to ensure Action Requests reflect current messaging, legislation, policies and procedures, as they can often bypass Assistant Deputy Minister's office review due to standard messaging.
•    Maintenance of tools such as the Action Request tracker to ensure that Action Requests are properly tracked, deadlines are communicated and their status is up to date, resulting in their successful completion and routings back to the Ministerial Correspondence Unit, the Chief Operating Officer and the Deputy Minister's office, on behalf of the Assistant Deputy Minister's office.

Role Responsibilities continued

Data and information management:
•    Establish and maintain the document management process, records of engagement and other information resources used to support the division's cabinet and legislative work.
•    Ensure data is managed in accordance with data management requirements and ministry record keeping requirements, including resolving and participating in the resolution of issues related to quality and accessibility of data and information.

Operational excellence:
•    Manage day-to-day operations of the unit, including staff performance, recruitment and training.
•    Ensure alignment of unit goals with ministry business strategies.

If you are ready to seize this exciting opportunity to make an impact within the Pharm & Supp Benefits division, please apply today, we would like to meet you!

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: Integrates broader context into planning; 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
•    Creative Problem Solving: Works in open teams to share ideas and process issues, uses wide range of techniques to break down problems and allows others to think creatively and voice ideas; brings the right people together to solve issues and Identifies new solutions for the organization.
•    Agility: Proactively incorporates change into processes and 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.
•    Develop Networks: Makes working with a wide range of parties an imperative:creates impactful relationships with the right people and ensures needs of varying groups are represented; goes beyond to meet stakeholder needs and ensures all needs are heard and understood.
•    Drive for Results: Works to remove barriers to outcomes, sticking to principles, 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

Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration or related fields and Seven years of related experience. 

Related 11 years of combined experience and/or education may be considered as an equivalency on a one for one basis. 

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

Certification/Designation:
Professional membership in health discipline is an asset.

Assets
•    Extensive related senior management experience with demonstrated strengths in leadership and solid understanding of political implications of course of action.
•    Leadership skills, ability to build and motivate teams to achieve results
•    Planning skills to contribute to business planning and implement objectives and directions
•    Building effective relationships and work teams with internal and external stakeholders
•    Excellent verbal and written communication skills, presentation and facilitation skills
•    Excellent interpersonal skills with an emphasis on communication and teamwork, conflict resolution skills
•    Excellent analytical and strategic thinking.
•    Ability to communicate effectively with multiple stakeholders in politically sensitive areas
•    Project management skills and experience directing several diverse projects simultaneously.

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

Notes

This competition will be used to staff ONE (1) Full time Permanent position.

Hours of Work:
7.25 hours daily/ 36.25 hours weekly, Monday to Friday

Location:
ATB Place North, 10025 Jasper Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta. This position requires working from the office with an option to qualify for a hybrid work arrangement (in accordance with GOA policy).

Other information: 
•    This position maybe used to fill future vacancies across the Government of Alberta, at equal or lower classification and salary. 
•    Top candidates may be required to undergo security screening

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.

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. 

Links and information on what the GoA has to offer to prospective employees.
•    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 agreement
•    Leadership and mentorship programs