Manager, Policy & Projects

Role Responsibilities

The Government of Alberta has an exciting opportunity for an experienced leader to join the Divisional Services Branch within the Pharmaceutical and Supplementary Benefits (PSB) Division of the Ministry of Primary and Preventative Health Services.

Reporting to the Director of Policy and Program Coordination, the Manager, Policy & Projects plays a key leadership role in advancing divisional priorities, strengthening policy and legislative development, and supporting effective coordination across the PSB Division. The role works collaboratively with program branches, cross‑ministry partners, and system stakeholders to support integrated planning, high‑quality policy analysis, and consistent implementation of strategic initiatives.

To be successful in this position, the Manager will model a highly collaborative, solutions‑oriented approach when working with senior leaders, policy teams, cross-division and ministry partners, and external stakeholders. The position requires strong judgment, the ability to synthesize complex issues, and a commitment to fostering a positive, inclusive, and high‑performing work environment.

Manager, Policy & Projects
The Manager is responsible for leading, planning, developing, implementing, and evaluating complex policy, legislative, and project initiatives that support the Ministry’s mandate in pharmaceuticals, benefits, and provincial health insurance. This position is responsible for:
•    Leading policy and legislative development, including researching emerging issues, framing problems, developing drafting instructions, and coordinating analysis across branches. The Manager oversees the preparation of legislative options, regulatory proposals, and supporting materials required for Cabinet and Cabinet committee submissions.
•    Preparing, reviewing, and managing decision making materials for senior executives, including briefing notes, option papers, Cabinet packages, and approval documents. The Manager ensures products meet divisional standards, reflect evidence informed analysis, and support timely executive decision making.
•    Coordinating divisional project and business planning processes, ensuring consistent approaches to project management, reporting, and tracking across PSB.
•    Supporting major transformation and change management initiatives, including implementation planning, readiness assessments, and coordination with program partners to operationalize new legislative, policy, or program directions.
•    Building divisional capacity for evidence informed policy development, including developing processes, tools, and inventories that support consistent analysis, improved information sharing, and alignment across branches.
•    Developing strong internal and external relationships with program branches, ministry partners, providers, regulatory colleges, and community stakeholders to support integrated, system level policy development.
•    Providing leadership and direction to a team of policy advisors and project staff, including coaching, workload planning, performance development, and fostering an environment that values collaboration, learning, and continuous improvement.

Role Responsibilities continued

Work Environment
This role operates in a dynamic, fast paced environment that supports the advancement of high priority health policy initiatives. The Manager works within a collaborative and cross divisional structure, with opportunities to lead impactful projects, contribute to Cabinet and executive decision making processes, and strengthen how policy and legislative work is coordinated within the PSB Division. The position offers the chance to work on complex system issues, develop innovative approaches, and support improvements that benefit Albertans who rely on provincial health insurance, pharmaceutical benefits, and supplementary health programs.

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
•    Understand how decisions ripple across teams, timelines, and long term goals. 
•    Seek insight into the implications of different options, including part time and full time impacts.
•    Analyze long term outcomes with a focus on organizational goals and values.
•    Identify potential unintended consequences before they arise.

Building Collaborative Environments
•    Create spaces where people feel heard, valued, and empowered. 
•    Leverage the diverse skills and knowledge of colleagues.
•    Genuinely value and learn from others’ perspectives.
•    Facilitate open, respectful conflict resolution.
•    Recognize and appreciate the contributions of others.

Drive for Results
•    Take ownership of outcomes and work with others to exceed expectations. 
•    Plan effectively using experience and data.
•    Hold yourself and others accountable for delivering results.
•    Partner across teams and groups to achieve shared objectives.
•    Aim to consistently exceed performance expectations.

Develop Networks
•    Build credibility quickly by connecting with others’ values and priorities.
•    Advocate for colleagues, clients, and stakeholders by elevating their needs to the right decision‑makers.
•    Establish common purpose in new environments and create pathways for ongoing collaboration.
•    Maintain relationships that build trust and support long‑term partnerships.
•    Use networks to gather insight, identify opportunities, and strengthen decision‑making.

Creative Problem Solving
•    Approach challenges with curiosity and a commitment to continuous improvement. 
•    Ask thoughtful questions to fully understand problems.
•    Explore new ways to improve results and activities.
•    Examine different work methods and share learnings from successful projects.
•    Gather diverse data and perspectives to make informed choices.

Qualifications

A University Degree in social sciences, business, public administration or other relevant program as well as 4 years of related experience is 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 of education.

The following experience is required:
•    Policy development, complex project management, stakeholder engagement and/or legislation experience. 
•    Managing multiple priorities in fast paced environments, including navigating issues with strategic judgment and sound risk assessment.

The following experience is considered an asset: 
•    Providing leadership, guidance, and support to staff, including workload planning, coaching, and fostering a positive team environment.
•    Preparing drafting instructions, Cabinet materials, briefing notes, and strategic recommendations for senior executives and decision makers.
•    Coordinating complex policy and project files involving cross divisional, cross ministry, or multi stakeholder collaboration.
•    Building and maintaining strong working relationships with internal partners, health system stakeholders, regulatory bodies, and external organizations.
•    Supporting change management and implementation planning for new policy, legislative, or program directions.

The following experience will be given preference:
•    Analyzing legislation, regulatory frameworks, and policy instruments to assess program, operational, or system impacts.
•    Leading the development of forward looking policy and legislative options that reflect emerging trends, evidence, and system needs.
•    Supporting stakeholder engagement activities, including gathering input, resolving concerns, and facilitating collaborative problem solving.
•    Synthesizing complex information into clear, concise analysis to support executive decision making.
•    Preferences will be given to candidates who have completed a Master’s degree in a related field.

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 are 8:15 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday to Friday. This is a permanent full-time position working 36.25 hours per week in office in downtown Edmonton.

•    Final candidates may 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.

A cover letter outlining how your experience relates to the qualifications of this role is recommended to assess your writing skills.

In your resume, please include dates (including months and years) associated with all education and work experience. For example, January 2006 – June 2009 (part-time). This example is provided for illustrative purposes only. Applicants are encouraged to present their information clearly and thoroughly, using a format that best conveys their experience.

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.
•    Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP) - https://www.pspp.ca.
•    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.