Director of Executive Operations

Role Responsibilities

We are seeking 2 strategic, high-performing Directors, Executive Operations to serve as a critical advisors and trusted liaisons within the offices of the Chief Operating Officers. Reporting directly to the COO, the DEO plays a key role in ensuring effective coordination and alignment between executive operations and broader ministry and government priorities.

As the primary point of contact for the COO’s office, the DEO will drive communications and strategy implementation across senior leadership, including the Deputy Minister’s Office (DMO), the Minister’s Office, other ministry COO Offices and DMOs, and a range of internal and external stakeholders across the province.

Responsibilities for the position include: 
Strategic Leadership & Policy Integration

• Provide expert consultation and coordination on policy and legislative development, ensuring integration with ministry priorities.
• Identify trends, challenges, and opportunities to shape and influence strategic directions and innovative initiatives.
• Lead ministry-wide coordination of projects, programs, and policies, leveraging insights on capacity and operational impacts.

Support to the COO

• Advise the COO on emerging issues and strategic planning priorities.
• Prepare comprehensive briefings and strategic options for executive decision-making.
• Manage high-level assignments, represent the COO at meetings, and ensure continuity in business planning and initiatives.

Issues Management

• Lead the development of responsive and proactive issues management strategies.
• Monitor and coordinate politically sensitive or urgent issues, ensuring timely and informed executive decisions.
• Facilitate communication and alignment across the COO’s Office, the Minister’s Office, and senior executive teams.

Operational Oversight

• Direct operations of the COO’s Office, including staffing, performance management, and executive-level administration.
• Ensure quality and consistency of executive briefings, action requests, and internal communications.
• Foster strong cross-divisional relationships to promote collaboration, policy capacity, and organizational culture.

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

Minimum Recruitment Standards
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 in issues management in a public sector organization.
• Experience with political/public service environment.
• Knowledge of GOA policy development cycle, decision-making process, and legislative procedures, as well as legislative agendas, priorities of other governments and their likely impact on Alberta priorities.
• Experience with identifying key issues, including legal implications, risks, and risk mitigation strategies.
• Experience giving advice, including deep understanding of the importance of defining the problem, developing solutions, and analyzing the solutions so that robust decision-making can occur.
• Experience working in a multifaceted, fast-paced environment, using well developed verbal and written communication skills in the transfer of information to inform and influence executives and senior officials.
• Strong change management, project management, and organizational skills, including managing several complex issues simultaneously and still delivering on results.
• Knowledge of GOA decision making processes, standards, systems, and protocols.
• Strong knowledge of GOA strategic and operational business planning goals and processes, including reporting and evaluation.
• Political acumen and understanding of Alberta’s political system, GOA mandates and related policies, and government structure.

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).

A cover letter outlining how your experience relates to the qualifications outlined in this job ad is required.

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
• Opportunity to participate in flexible work arrangements such as working from home up to two days per week and modified work schedule agreements
• Leadership and mentorship programs