Manager, Post-Secondary Research and Innovation

Role Responsibilities

The Manager is called upon to solve a number of problems in the process of providing essential leadership on policy and other strategic matters related to research and innovation. These problems typically arise out of managing an emerging area of policy, diverse interests, and can often come as a result of stakeholders, staff, or policy direction from the Minister or other decision-makers.

Given its emerging status, there are few established precedents available to guide efforts, with this position continually providing support to the Director for the development and enhancement of the province's post-secondary system and its role in the research and innovation ecosystem. This includes providing the Minister and other senior Ministry and government officials with advice and support relating to strategies, policies, legislation and approaches that affect Alberta's post-secondary research and innovation system. To accomplish this, a wide variety of skills are required including strong strategic problem solving, negotiation, consultation, collaboration and consensus-building, and prioritization skills.

The Manager requires superior interpersonal and facilitation skills to establish and maintain effective relationships with a wide variety of Ministry and Government representatives, representatives of other governments, and external stakeholders with interests in advanced education policies, issues, and programs. The Manager is expected to exhibit and model these skills when consulting and collaborating with and influencing stakeholders, partners, and decision-makers. Issues dealt with are often sensitive and/or controversial, with the Manager called on to balance and reconcile differing and often competing interests while demonstrating responsiveness, flexibility, and adaptability. Cooperation, collaboration, and teamwork are emphasized when achieving results.

Role Responsibilities (Continued)

Challenging situations typically handled by the Manager include:

• Building and maintaining linkages with diverse clients to encourage and facilitate their active participation in issues identification, environmental scanning, research, and policy and strategy development.
• Working with colleagues from other divisions and other Ministries in the development of strategy and policies associated with research and innovation and balancing this objective with the need to identify gaps in existing programs and policies and inconsistencies with department direction.
• Managing development of research and analysis activities to support long-term decision making.
• Establishing solutions and/or recommended options to senior department representatives and officials for emerging issues and policies related to research and innovation and the post-secondary system.
• Ensuring policy directions consider and integrate stakeholder input, department direction, political and fiscal realities, and operational feasibility, to arrive at options that reflect government direction for the economy and post-secondary system.
• Identifying and promoting opportunities for improved outcomes in the department; and
• Representing and communicating department and/or government positions to partners and stakeholders, balancing occasionally varying or conflicting perspectives with the requirement to promote acceptance of and commitment to department and government directions and strategies. 

 
Human resource management is essential, with this position leading a team of policy analysts with diverse knowledge and skills. 

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.

Drive for Results – Produces high-quality policy products that support decision-making for the department and Minister. Aligns policy initiatives with strategic objectives and collaborates extensively across ministries, divisions, and external partners to develop options and strategies.

Develop Networks – Builds and maintains strong relationships across departments, ministries, stakeholders, and external partners. Actively participates in cross-ministry committees and collaborates to gather intelligence and shape strategic frameworks supporting innovation and research commercialization.

Creative Problem Solving – Develops innovative policy solutions for complex issues, drawing on diverse perspectives. Fosters a culture of creativity and encourages exploration of new approaches to uncertainty.

Agility – Responds effectively to shifting priorities and tight timelines, delivering quality policy work under pressure. Supports adaptability within the team and provides innovative solutions in response to emerging needs.

Qualifications

Requirements:

Bachelor’s degree in a related field (Education, Social Sciences, Sciences  Public Administration, Legal Studies) plus 4 years progressively responsible related experience; or equivalent as described below:

• 1 year of education for 1 year of experience; or
• 1 year of experience for 1 year of education.

The position requires experience and advanced knowledge and thorough understanding of:

• The research and innovation ecosystem in Alberta.
• Linkages between policy, planning, regulatory decision-making, monitoring, evaluation.
• Reporting and policy evaluation.
• The political environment within which the department operates; and
• Government business plan goals, policy directions, structure and ABCs.
• Knowledge of public administration practices.
• Strong organizational, time and project management skills to effectively balance multiple priorities and demands.
• Strategic thinking, the ability to anticipate potential issues and how they could impact the department, government and stakeholders.
• Excellent leadership and management ability. Experience in leading and coordinating projects, consultation processes and leading and working in diverse teams.

Refer to https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-minimum-recruitment-standards.

Notes

This is a full-time Permanent position working 36.25 hours per week, Monday to Friday based out of Edmonton. 

• Shortlisted candidates may be required to undergo a written assessment.
• Candidates selected for an interview may be required to undergo a written assessment.
• Final candidates will be required to undergo a security screening.
• Parking is not provided for this position.
• Employee annual professional fees/dues are not covered for this position. 

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.

Applicants are required to provide a cover letter that outlines in detail their experiences and how that experience relates specifically to the requirements for this position. Applications without an appropriate cover letter or appropriate resume will not be considered.

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).

This competition will be used to develop a certified candidate list for future vacancies with the Alberta Teaching Profession Commission and may be used to fill future vacancies across the Government of Alberta, at equal or lower classification and salary.

Links and information on what the GoA has 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/page/mepp-home
• 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