Director, Trade Indo-Pacific

Role Responsibilities

Reporting to the Executive Director, Trade and Export Expansion, Director, Trade Indo-Pacific is responsible for leading the Indo-Pacific team to assist Alberta-based organizations, institutions, and associations to gain market access for goods and services in their geographical region. The Director is responsible for providing strategic guidance to the trade team for enhancing Alberta's export readiness and success, building awareness of international opportunities, and generating increased value for the Alberta's economy.

The positions supports Minister and senior government officials in engagement with key government and industry contacts in international markets. This position must connect with key stakeholders in foreign markets, support government-to government engagement and advocacy, and understand political and business environments in international markets. The Director also facilitates connections for executive and political leadership in the respective geographic region.

To enhance policy and program support, the director will contribute to the development of sector and market strategies by assessing the political and business environment in international markets. Leading government-to-government engagement and advocacy, coordinate missions within their respective geo-regions and develop program policy for strategic decision making.

Responsibilities include:

Ministerial & Premier-Level Trade Missions:

• Lead planning, coordination, and execution of international trade missions, including on-the-ground support for senior officials. 
• Provide strategic, evidence-based policy advice aligned with departmental priorities and government objectives. 
• Offer cultural, political, and systems-level insight to support effective engagement and successful trade outcomes.

Ministerial Briefing Packages:

• Develop comprehensive briefing materials with analysis, options, and recommendations to inform senior decision-making. 
• Conduct market research and intelligence gathering to support trade missions and advance Alberta’s global position. 
• Anticipate emerging trade issues and communicate complex information clearly to internal and external stakeholders.

International Trade Promotion Strategy:

• Lead development of regional trade strategies to advance diversification and Alberta’s economic interests. 
• Collaborate across government to align trade initiatives with departmental priorities. 
• Engage stakeholders and partners to strengthen Alberta’s presence and impact in international markets. 

Ministerial Mission Planning:

• Lead end-to-end planning and execution of ministerial missions, including briefings, stakeholder coordination, and on-the-ground support for senior officials. 
• Provide strategic, evidence-based policy advice and market intelligence aligned with government priorities and international trade objectives. 
• Anticipate trade issues and deliver clear, culturally informed guidance and communications to support decision-making and successful outcomes.

Stakeholder Engagement:

• Build and maintain relationships with domestic and international stakeholders to advance Alberta’s trade interests. 
• Provide strategic advice, market insights, and connections to businesses, leadership, and partners to enhance export success. 
• Lead engagement efforts, including team oversight, trade missions, and collaboration with government and industry partners.

Role Responsibilities (continued)

Lead Development of International Export Promotion Strategy:

• Oversee development of sector and market strategies based on political and economic analysis. 
• Lead trade missions, government-to-government engagement, and strategic initiatives to promote Alberta globally. 
• Guide policy, program development, and industry engagement priorities, supporting trade and investment attraction efforts.

Leadership / Mentorship / Employee Development:

• Provide leadership, direction, and mentorship to staff, supporting performance, development, and team outcomes. 
• Foster an inclusive workplace aligned with Alberta Public Service values and diversity principles. 
• Support senior leadership through strategic advice and act on behalf of the Senior Director as needed. 

Information Requests / Action Requests / Briefings:

• Oversee and ensure quality, accuracy, and timeliness of action requests and briefing materials. 
• Manage responses to stakeholders on behalf of senior leadership, ensuring alignment with Alberta’s interests. 
• Coordinate information flow and provide strategic input to support decision-making.

Unit / Branch Administration:

• Oversee staffing, budgeting, performance management, and day-to-day branch operations. 
• Manage priorities, allocate resources, and ensure deadlines and deliverables are met. 
• Participate in departmental management processes, including reporting, planning, and meetings.

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 - This position is required to consider political, environmental, and social factors when addressing issues in the geographic region. Must take this into consideration prior to providing recommendations and guidance.

Agility - This position works in a politically sensitive environment that is constantly changing. Must remain flexible to adapt behaviors and provide tailored advice to various types of clients and Ministers on a daily basis.

Develop Networks - This position is required to develop and maintain strong working relationships with various international stakeholders to understand their export needs and enable them to achieve success. Must work collaboratively and provide guidance using best judgment and past experience.

Develop Self and Others - This position is required to lead other Trade Officers to achieve unit objectives and goals. Must ensure individuals are set up for success through regular feedback, professional development, and training to promote growth.

Qualifications

University graduation in Business or a field related , supplemented by seven years progressively responsible experience. Related experience or education may be considered as an equivalency on a one for one basis.

Job requirements:

• Foreign language capabilities is an asset. Must be able to travel internationally.
• Confidential clearance for preparation of Ministerial Missions, travel and briefings.  
• Experience in international business, export development and marketing. 
• Understanding of current international, economic, political and social issues. 
• Diplomacy skills when representing the government in social, political and business initiatives. 
• Sound knowledge of project management approaches and experience leading a variety of project teams to successful achievement of objectives.
• Knowledge of key concepts in international trade policy and international economic relations.
• Knowledge of Alberta trade policy objectives and ability to align work activities with those objectives.
• Strong networking skills, ability to identify key relationships and convey critical information from varied sources.
• Minimum of three years of management experience leading a team, including setting direction, managing performance, and delivering on operational objectives.

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

There is one full time permanent position working 36.25 Hours per week, Monday to Friday.

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.
• 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.