Director, Strategic Initiatives

Role Responsibilities

The Traffic Safety Services Division has embarked on a transformational and integrated journey to modernize both the policy and technology framework underpinning the safe movement of people and goods in Alberta. The Division is in a period of renewal and change and requires an energetic, adaptable and results-driven Director to join the Division.  
 

This role involves working closely with a broad range of stakeholders including government partners, industry associations, commercial carriers, driver training schools, steering committees, etc to lead and create impactful policies, strategies, and recommendations to support the ongoing renewal and modernization of Traffic Safety Services policy framework.  
 
As the Director, Strategic Initiatives, you will lead initiatives that clarify and modernize the licensing policy framework, improve training quality, enhance accountability and compliance mechanisms for Traffic Safety Services regulated stakeholders and support business renewal through policy development and technology modernization. You will play a critical role in shaping the traffic safety services landscape to ensure that the traffic safety policy framework is cohesive, coherent and modern and in turn services to Albertans are modern and effective.  
 

There are four key areas of responsibility:

Policy development and integration

• Lead the Traffic Safety Services strategic initiatives focusing on policy renewal and modernization to achieve government priorities, reflect international and national trends, rely upon current evidence, and consider stakeholder input.
• Lead development of policy frameworks through extensive collaboration and consultation with stakeholders and partners, research and policy networks, including providing leadership to working groups and committees made up of representatives of the department, other departments, and stakeholders.
• Lead development and coordination of Memoranda to Cabinet, issues documents, briefings, presentations/decks, and background materials for Cabinet, Treasury Board, and other Cabinet Committees.
   

Role Responsibilities cont.

Stakeholder engagement and collaboration

• Develop and maintain strong networks within government including with key partner ministries (SARTR, TI, TBF, PSES, AGI) and with external partners and stakeholders.  
• Lead engagement with external stakeholders such as driver training schools, industry associations and other federal and provincial governments to enhance and modernize the traffic safety services policy framework.  
• Provide advice on Traffic Safety Services engagement with stakeholders and other relevant federal and provincial agencies.
• Represent Transportation and Economic Corridors at industry forums and working groups to promote policy changes and build relationships.

Project management and coordination

• Oversee the planning, coordination and implementation of strategic initiatives.  
• Proactively lead and influence the integration and alignment of strategic policy initiatives with government and ministry priorities.
• Align resources (budget and human resources) across the Division with project management key milestones.
• Develop project reporting structures including risk identification and progress towards identified key milestones.  

Executive Leadership Support

• Assist the Executive Leadership Team to manage operations, human and financial resources, and ensuring outcomes are delivered according to plan.
• Mentor, motivate, and develop staff, fostering a positive and collaborative team culture.
• Define and align team responsibilities and contracted resources to achieve specific initiatives.
• Support the Executive Director and Assistant Deputy Minister in navigating complex relationships and political landscapes, working with stakeholders to balance competing interests.
• Act on behalf of the Executive Director during vacations or absences.

This position involves a high degree of adaptability, integrated/lateral thinking, leadership, coordination across various government departments, well-developed communication and influencing abilities (verbal and written), solid interpersonal, stakeholder engagement and creative problem solving skills along with proven ability to exercise extensive judgement and address sensitive situations.  

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.

APS Competencies Competencies are behaviours 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.   

• Agility – In our fast-paced environment, you can anticipate, assess, readily adapt to changing priorities, and work effectively with shifting priorities. 
• Develop Networks – You proactively build networks, connecting and building trust in relationships with key stakeholders across government, the carrier and driving industry.  
• Systems Thinking – You anticipate outcomes and potential impacts across inter-related and high interconnected areas and factors this into planning and problem solving.  
• Creative Problem Solving – You can assess options and implications in new ways to achieve outcomes and solutions. 
   

Qualifications

Required: 
 

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field such as Public Administration, Business Administration 7 years of related senior management experience.  Master’s degree preferred. 
• Cover letter detailing how your skills and experience align with the role's responsibilities, used to assess writing and communication skills.
• Extensive management experience with demonstrated progressively responsible experience in managing politically sensitive and multi-faceted issues and the development and implementation of complex public policy projects.
• Proven track record in building and managing multi-stakeholder partnerships.
• Excellent communication (verbal and written) and listening skills; facilitation, and stakeholder engagement abilities.
• Exceptional project management, strategic planning and leadership skills, with an ability to execute complex initiatives from concept to implementation.
• Team player who is collaborative and takes an integrated and creative approach to problem solving.  
• Experience leading, coaching and mentoring staff and colleagues.  

Equivalencies:
 

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

Assets: 

• Knowledge of government policy approval processes.
• Knowledge of Traffic Safety services legislation and regulations in Alberta and Canada. 
• Public Sector financial forecasting and budget management.

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

Additional Position Details:

• This position is a permanent, full-time role with the standard weekly work hours of 36.25, Monday to Friday (8:15 am – 4:30 pm).
• Location: Twin Atria Building, 4999 98 Ave, Edmonton, AB T6B 2X3
• Traveling will consist of 25% of the work schedule.

Recruitment Process:

• 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, and et cetera.
• 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. 
• Candidates with lesser qualifications may be considered at a lower classification and salary.
   

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 a modified work schedule agreement.
• Leadership and mentorship programs.