Manager, Legislative Planning

Role Responsibilities

Be the legislative architect behind policies that shape Alberta’s future. As the Manager, Legislative Planning, you will lead legislative development and planning within the Ministry of Affordability and Utilities. Your work will ensure the department’s legislative framework supports strategic priorities and delivers impactful outcomes for Albertans. Key responsibilities include:

Development of Legislation

• Assess the need for legislative change based on policy objectives, program requirements, and strategic direction.
• Translate policy initiatives into clear and effective legislative solutions in collaboration with policy leads and program areas.
• Identify and evaluate non-legislative alternatives such as policy, communication, or educational tools.
• Analyze impacts of proposed changes on departmental operations and services to ensure feasibility and alignment with legislation.
• Provide strategic legislative advice during the development of departmental business plans and policy strategies.

Preparation of New or Amended Acts, Regulations, Orders in Council, Ministerial Orders, and Other Legislative Documents

• Lead the preparation of legislative drafting instructions for Alberta Justice and Legislative Counsel.
• Review and finalize draft legislation to ensure accuracy, legislative integrity, and policy alignment.
• Advise senior and executive leadership on legislative content and process, support briefings to the Minister, Deputy Minister, and Executive Team.
• Guide program staff in the preparation of supporting documentation and ensure all legislative submissions meet required standards.

Sound Long-Term and Strategic Legislative Planning

• Monitor trends in legislation, government policy, and federal-provincial agreements to identify emerging legislative needs.
• Develop and maintain multi-year legislative plans, including timelines, content summaries, and supporting materials for leadership.
• Consult with stakeholders across the department to assess legislative impacts and align with long-term business goals.
• Recommend strategic approaches to legislative change and evaluate alternatives in accordance with ministerial direction.
  
  

Effective Management of the Ongoing Legislative Process

• Coordinate the progression of legislative instruments through internal and external review processes, including Cabinet and Executive Council.
• Oversee timelines, tracking, and scheduling of legislative proposals in collaboration with Legislative Counsel, the Executive Council Office, and Ministerial staff.
• Monitor legislative activity, including Hansard, Order Papers, and Bills, to ensure alignment and inform departmental decision-making.
• Support the department’s response to Private Members’ Bills by providing analysis and recommendations.

Legislative Support for Major Restructuring Initiatives

• Lead legislative planning and amendments related to restructuring initiatives, including program or responsibility transfers between departments.
• Prepare necessary legislative documentation to support reorganization or structural changes directed by Cabinet.
• Collaborate with internal branches to assess impacts on budgets, FTEs, and service delivery.
• Negotiate and prepare legal documents such as Memoranda of Agreement for approval by senior leadership and external partners.

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.

System Thinking - Creating brand new legislation or drafting substantive amendments to existing legislation requires the Manager, Legislative Services to consider linkages, anticipate impacts and to ask questions regarding the underlying policy rationale and objectives.

Creative Problem Solving - Asks deep, probing questions in order to understand policy intent, and ensure that the legislative mechanism aligns with the policy and implementation.

Drive for Results - There is a significant degree of independent decision-making required of the Manager, Legislative Services. The Drive for Results competency is crucial for this role in order to achieve results and be responsible and responsive to senior officials.

Develop Networks - Developing and maintaining relationships with staff from across GOA is imperative for success in this role, including relationships with Legislative Counsel, Policy Coordination Office, and legislative and program area staff in other line departments.

Qualifications

University degree in Law, Policy or related fields, and 4 years related experience. Related experience or education may be considered as an equivalency on a one for one basis.

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 of education.

Experience required:

• Principles and processes associated with legislative and regulatory planning, development, and drafting.
• Legislative process and legislation development, including public consultation and implementation.
• Project management.
• Research & analytical skills.

The following will be considered assets:

• Experience with legislation impacting the Ministry (e.g. Alberta Public Agencies Governance Act, Financial Administration Act, FOIP Act, Government Organization Act, Interpretation Act) and related regulations.
• Experience with federal and interprovincial agreements (e.g. Canadian Free Trade Agreement, New West Partnership Trade Agreement).
• Utilities system in Alberta.

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

Position Type: Permanent, Full-time.

Hours of Work: 36.25 hours per week.

Location: Oxbridge Place Building, Edmonton.

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