Director, Strategic Operations

Role Responsibilities

Step into a key leadership role at the center of ministry operations, where your strategic judgment and ability to manage complex, high‑impact issues will help shape government priorities. As a trusted advisor to the Assistant Deputy Minister (ADM) of the Health Workforce division, you will ensure alignment across initiatives and strengthen cross‑government collaboration. This role is ideal for an experienced strategist who excels in fast‑paced environments and seeks meaningful system‑wide impact.

Your main responsibilities will include:

• Provide strategic leadership to align ADM and ministry initiatives with overall Government of Alberta (GoA) priorities.
• Keep the ADM fully informed through briefings, analysis, and recommendations on issues, risks, and opportunities.
• Coordinate policies, programs, and projects across the Health Workforce division to ensure integration and operational alignment.
• Lead cross government and cross ministry collaboration to advance key initiatives and manage complex, politically sensitive issues.
• Develop and implement effective issues management strategies and processes to support timely decision making.
• Serve as the primary liaison with the Deputy Minister’s Office (DMO), Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Communications Branch for updates, planning, messaging and coordination.
• Prepare comprehensive briefing materials for meetings with senior officials, stakeholders and external partners.
• Support ADM decision making by executing directives, advancing priority work and ensuring necessary follow up occurs.
• Lead the operations of the ADM’s Office, including staffing, workflow oversight, budget management and quality assurance.
• Build strong relationships across ADMOs, divisions, and stakeholders to strengthen integration and support collaborative issue resolution.

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

• • Integrate broader social, political and economic trends into planning.
  • Strategically align initiatives with organizational vision and long-term goals.
  • Anticipate and address barriers to progress, including behavioral and structural challenges.

Develop Networks

• • Build and sustain diverse stakeholder relationships.
  • Actively seek input and perspectives to shape programs and change efforts.
  • Engage collaborators across departments and sectors to support long-term outcomes.

Creative Problem Solving

• • Investigate root causes and leverage community insight.
  • Innovate across complex systems to create practical, sustainable improvements.
  • Facilitate inclusive idea generation and open dialogue to address risk and impact.

Agility

• • Anticipate change and lead proactive adjustments to plans and practices.
  • Remain composed under pressure and support team resilience.
  • Clearly communicate the impact of changes and ensure smooth integration into operations.

Develop Self and Others

• • Set stretch goals aligned with personal and professional growth.
  • Support the development of others through feedback and inclusive leadership.
  • Value team diversity and cultivate a culture of continuous learning.

Qualifications

University graduation, 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 considered an asset:

• Experience delivering executive‑level strategic advice, including preparing briefing notes, options analyses, and recommendations for ADM/DM‑level decision‑making.
• Proven track record managing complex, multi‑stakeholder issues, such as coordinating cross‑ministry initiatives or leading responses to politically sensitive matters with clear outcomes.
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate large policy or program initiatives, showing measurable impacts—e.g., improved processes, streamlined workflows, or successful implementation of major projects.
• Hands‑on experience developing and executing issues‑management processes, including early identification of risks, drafting issues notes and ensuring leaders are fully prepared for meetings or events.
• Advanced written and verbal communication skills, evidenced by producing high‑quality briefing materials, presentations, decision notes and stakeholder correspondence under tight timelines.
• Operational leadership experience, such as supervising staff, managing office workflows, improving administrative processes, or overseeing budgets and resource planning.
• Strong relationship‑building and collaboration record, demonstrated through effective partnerships with ADMOs, divisions, corporate offices (DMO/COO) and external stakeholders to advance shared priorities.

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

A cover letter is required. In your cover letter, please provide information that clearly demonstrates how your qualifications meet the advertised requirements for this position. Please also outline any ministries you are specifically interested in working for.

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).

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
• Leadership and mentorship programs