Director, Policy and Strategic Initiatives

Role Responsibilities

As Director, Policy and Strategic Initiatives, you’ll lead high‑impact initiatives that shape policy and advance government priorities. You’ll provide strategic leadership in the development of integrated policy and planning options that support a safe, healthy, and accessible built environment, as well as effective provincial fire services programs. Working across the Branch and with key partners, you’ll coordinate priority initiatives, ensure sustainable and efficient policy outcomes, and address emerging issues through research, environmental scanning, and stakeholder engagement.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide leadership to align and coordinate policy and planning activities with Branch and ministry priorities.
• Lead environmental scanning, research, and analysis on complex, cross‑jurisdictional safety codes and fire services issues to support evidence‑based decisions.
• Develop and strengthen federal, provincial, and territorial relationships related to safety codes, standards, reconciliation agreements, and fire safety.
• Lead collaborative, multi‑jurisdictional policy initiatives that advance regulatory alignment and modern safety frameworks.
• Provide strategic and operational oversight to ensure unit deliverables align with ministry business plans and government priorities.
• Develop and implement operational and work plans that support departmental objectives and effective resource use.
• Provide strategic advice and recommendations to the Executive Director and senior leadership to support informed decision‑making.
• Build and maintain strong internal and external relationships to advance policy outcomes and stakeholder engagement.

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 - Takes a long-term view towards organization’s objectives and how to achieve them. Must consider how different factors affect market and property values, how these factors were considered and implemented by municipal assessors and how they interact and influence property values over time.
• Building Collaborative Environments – Success in this role requires building trust and collaboration between partners and stakeholders to ensure implementation is reflective of all required perspectives
• Drive for results- Actively engages partners in the design and implementation of meaningful review activities, balancing their needs with the needs of the Minister and Ministry executives and stakeholders.
• Creative Problem Solving - Engages the community and resources at hand to address issues
  
  

Qualifications

University Degree in a field related to the position assignment, supplemented by six years progressively responsible experience

Equivalency: Directly related education or experience considered on the basis of:

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

Assets:

• Deep knowledge of Government of Alberta policy, legislation and application of the safety system and the codes and standards under the Safety Codes Act.
• Knowledge of governance models, methods of continual improvement, risk management concept, coaching, leadership and business processes.
• Proven ability to lead complex, multi‑stakeholder initiatives in a political and public‑interest environment.
• Excellent analytical skills with experience translating technical or specialized information into clear, concise advice and briefing materials.
• Strong leadership, collaboration, and relationship‑management skills.
• Experience working with federal, provincial, territorial, municipal, and industry partners.

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

Applicants are required to submit a cover letter along with their resume. Only applications with a cover letter will be reviewed.

• Final candidates will be required to undergo a security screening.
• 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 have to offer to prospective employees:

• Working for the Alberta Public Service - https://www.alberta.ca/advantages-working-for-alberta-public-service.aspx.
• Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP) - https://www.pspp.ca.
• 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.
• Leadership and mentorship programs.