Executive Advisor / Issues Manager - Talent Pool

Role Responsibilities

If you thrive working in a dynamic environment with new challenges every day, juggling multiple tasks amid ambiguity, planning and leading projects and applying your high political acumen in responding to sensitive issues and requests, then we have an opportunity that may be of interest to you. Please read on to find out more about the roles of Executive Advisors and Issues Managers.

The Government of Alberta is seeking results driven individuals with a strong understanding of executive office operations, policy development, and internal communications to provide leadership for its executive offices. Executive Advisors and Issues Managers work closely with departmental representatives and external stakeholders to anticipate and identify strategically relevant issues and ensure effective management and timely response to them.  

As an Executive Advisor / Issues Manager you will be required to anticipate changes, collaborate with stakeholders, prioritize issues, research, coordinate supporting information, seek alternate approaches and align resources to achieve results within very tight deadlines. 

In this role, you will also ensure the timely flow of information between the executive offices, across the Department, external stakeholders and the offices of the Minister and Deputy Minister and ensure advice on sensitive and emerging issues is comprehensive and accurate.

These positions lead and supervise professional and administrative staff members within executive offices, ensuring issues management, financial and operational services are provided in a fully integrated and coordinated manner. 

As the Executive Advisor or Issues Manager, your main responsibilities will include:
     
•    Oversee a comprehensive system to respond to Action Requests, briefing notes and ongoing issues within the ministry.  
•    Compile and analyze information to provide strategic advice, direction and recommendations.  
•    Use your leadership and strong political acumen to guide staff in achieving goals, mandates and effective operation of the division.  
•    Oversee and coordinate all ministerial information and reports, while reviewing for accuracy and compliance.     
•    Provide oversight to budgets, approval processes and assist in executing key briefings and initiatives. 

As the ideal candidate you are expected to:
•    Exercise your critical thinking and problem-solving skills to analyze risks and come up with resolutions in a dynamic environment.
•    Develop and maintain strategic and collaborative working relationships with colleagues and key stakeholders.
•    Facilitate communication flow across executive offices.
•    Provide leadership in managing complex projects across cross functional teams.
•    Navigate a fast-paced and complex environment with agility.
•    Interpret stakeholder business needs and translate them into recommendations.
•    Understand governmental financial budgets and planning cycles.

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.

Agility – In our fast-paced environment, you can anticipate, assess, readily adapt to changing priorities and work effectively with shifting priorities.

Systems Thinking – You anticipate outcomes and potential impacts across inter-related 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.

Drive for Results – You know what outcomes are important and maximize resources to achieve results aligned with the organization's goals, while maintaining accountability to each other and external stakeholders.  

Build Collaborative Environments – Creates opportunities for project teams and stakeholders to share information; respects others' point-of-view, encourages or facilitates conflict resolution, recognizes performance of all groups involved.
 

Qualifications

Four-year university degree in a related field (Economics, Political Science, Public Administration, social sciences, business, communication, etc.) supplemented by a minimum of four years of related experiences required.  

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 education

Assets:      

• Previous experience working in an executive office.
• Strong technical skills in Microsoft Office suite.
• Experience with researching, composing, tracking and editing briefing notes and other correspondence.  
• Project management and/or strategic planning skills.   
• Experience with financial planning and budgets.   
• Experience with policy and program development.   
• Experience with negotiation, dispute resolution and issues management.  
• Experience managing large volumes of complex information and providing recommendations.
• Knowledge of government legislation and policies.
• Past leadership experience.

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

Hours of work: 36.25  

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.
 

In your resume, please include dates (including months and years) associated with all education and work experience. As well, 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).
 

Pre-employment checks will be completed to assess the candidate’s suitability for the role. These checks can include (but are not limited to): references, criminal records check, and academic verification. 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/or a modified work schedule agreement
• Leadership and mentorship programs