Director, Provincial and Federal Programs

Role Responsibilities

Reporting to the Executive Director, Grants and Education Property Tax, the Director, Provincial and Federal Programs plays a key leadership role in overseeing grant program delivery, policy development, program compliance, and stakeholder communications. This role requires strategic thinking, collaboration across the branch, department, and other ministries, and the ability to navigate a complex and often politically sensitive environment. The successful candidate will ensure grant programs are effectively administered while maintaining accountability, compliance, and alignment with government policies.

Key Responsibilities
Grant Program Leadership & Delivery

• Lead and provide strategic direction on the implementation, administration, and delivery of grant programs, including Local Government Fiscal Framework (LGFF) Capital, Municipal Sustainability Initiative (MSI), Canada Community-Building Fund (CCBF), Small Communities Fund (SCF), and Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP).
• Oversee the allocation of over $1 billion in annual funding to local governments across Alberta, ensuring timely disbursement and effective use of funds.
• Develop and implement policies, procedures, and best practices to enhance program effectiveness and responsiveness to municipal needs.
• Oversee the preparation of ministerial briefings, reports, correspondence, and presentations to support decision-making.

Compliance & Accountability

• Provide oversight of grant compliance, ensuring adherence to agreements, legislation, and policy requirements.
• Implement proactive strategies to address compliance issues and oversee the resolution of non-compliance cases.
• Lead financial oversight, including budget forecasting, expenditure monitoring, and grant payment approvals.
• Facilitate audits and respond to inquiries from the Office of the Auditor General and Finance teams.

Strategic Policy & Stakeholder Engagement

• Serve as a key advisor on municipal financial viability, local government accountability, and grant program effectiveness.
• Represent the ministry in interdepartmental and intergovernmental committees, contributing to policy and program development.
• Build and maintain strategic relationships with stakeholders, including municipalities, provincial and federal government partners, and municipal associations.
• Provide expert advice to senior leadership on funding strategies, emerging municipal financial issues, and grant program improvements.
• Work with and lead staff to administer and deliver the federal government programs, and liaise with the federal government as required..

Corporate & Financial Planning

• Lead budget forecasting and strategic financial planning for multi-year funding programs.
• Work closely with Communications, Finance, and Technical teams to ensure accurate reporting and messaging related to grant programs.

Team Leadership & Unit Management

• Provide leadership, mentorship, and strategic direction to a team of grant advisors and program experts.
• Oversee unit performance, recruitment, and professional development initiatives.
• Foster a collaborative and innovative work culture that supports efficiency and excellence in grant program administration.
• Represent the ministry at stakeholder conferences, meetings, and seminars as required.

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.

Qualifications

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. 

• University graduation in a related field (Public Administration, Business Administration, Political Science, Law, Economics, Accounting) plus 7 years progressively responsible related experience; or equivalent as described below. 

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.

Required Skills & Assets:

• This position requires a strong knowledge of legislation and regulations, including the Ministerial Grants Regulation, Government Organization Act, and Local Government Fiscal Framework Act, and an understanding of the policies, procedures and program requirements of the grant programs offered by the department. Some knowledge of the Municipal Government Act, and/or the impacts of the province's accountability policies and practices on funding programs and grant recipients would be beneficial.
• A strong understanding of municipal finances, including revenues, expenditures, debt limits, and revenue generating tools, the importance of asset management and long-term infrastructure planning, regional cooperation and service delivery impacts, and municipal and Metis Settlement operations and administration. 
• A strong knowledge of analytical procedures, research methodologies, project management, and grant processes. This position makes significant use of coordination, consultation, investigation, presentation, writing and organizational skills, data collection, and evaluation. 
• Strong ability to explain provincial initiatives and consult directly on a person-to-person basis with other government departments, senior provincial and municipal administrators, and elected officials. Strong ability to promote teamwork, collaboration, and partnerships.
• Ability to explain complex issues to audiences of varied sophistication. The position is also required to prepare succinct responses taking tone and content into account. The position oversees the preparation of correspondence and briefings for Ministry Executive, Minister, and Government.

Skills Required: 

• Supervisory 
• Decision-making 
• Project and time management 
• Organizational and budgeting 
• Research, conceptual, analytical
• Verbal and written communication 
• Consultation and facilitation 
• Interpersonal, mediation and negotiation 

 
Essential Work Experience: 

• Management and leadership of professional staff 
• Program management and delivery and program and policy development 
• Review and /or implementation of programs, legislation and regulations 
• Liaising with stakeholders
• Liaising with senior management and political representatives

Notes

This position is a  permanent position with the standard weekly work hours of 36.25, Monday to Friday (8:15 am – 4:30 pm).

Pre-Employment Checks will be completed to assess the candidate’s suitability for a role. These checks may include (but are not limited to): references, criminal record check, academic verification, etc.

Candidates with lesser qualifications may be considered at a lower classification and salary.

If a security screening is required.

• 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 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