Manager, Program Implementation

Role Responsibilities

The Manager, Program Implementation, leads the strategic development and execution of a provincial K–12 curriculum implementation model in both English and French. This role oversees a team and collaborates with internal and external partners to design and deliver annual implementation plans, professional learning strategies, field testing and classroom piloting processes. The manager ensures sustainable curriculum rollout through evidence-based practices and continuous improvement.

This position requires strong leadership in navigating complex stakeholder environments, managing high-profile initiatives under public scrutiny, and adapting to evolving timelines and feedback. The successful candidate will drive the development of policies, guidelines, and supports that build capacity across school authorities and education partners for effective curriculum implementation.

Responsibilities:

1. Lead the design and deployment of the Provincial Curriculum Implementation model across K–12 in English and French.

• Develop timelines and annual priorities for curriculum rollout.
• Coordinate key components including professional learning, classroom piloting, and continuous improvement.
• Create tools and resources to support system readiness and curriculum implementation.
• Ensure inclusive strategies and smooth transition from development to implementation.
• Engage stakeholders and build collaborative relationships to support school authorities.
• Respond to urgent implementation needs and share information across the department.

2. Lead classroom piloting and data-informed improvements to curriculum and policy.

• Design piloting plans and develop evaluation criteria.
• Collect and analyze feedback to inform curriculum updates and resource guidelines.
• Communicate findings and guide program and policy changes.
• Assess system readiness and lead continuous improvement planning.
• Enhance data systems and reporting to support decision-making.
• Collaborate across ministry teams to align data processes and assess impacts of system changes.

Role Responsibilities Continued

3. Lead coordination of professional learning to support curriculum implementation.

• Develop and deliver accessible training and supports for school authorities.
• Align efforts across divisions and lead provincial professional learning initiatives.
• Engage education partners to address local and provincial needs.
• Collaborating with organizations supporting professional learning.

4. Manage the curriculum implementation unit and contribute to branch leadership.

• Oversee unit operations and ensure alignment with business plans.
• Provide analysis, briefings, and strategic advice to decision-makers.
• Support continuous improvement and policy alignment with curriculum implementation.
• Collaborate on updates to the Guide to Education and related policies.

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 - Work with internal partners and school authorities to lead engagement delivery for external stakeholders, including school authorities, parents, students, and elected officials.
• Systems Thinking - Collaborate with diverse internal and external partners to assess the effectiveness of implementation supports and curriculum use in classrooms, informing program updates.
• Creative Problem Solving - Engage stakeholders and gather evidence to evaluate the implementation process, ensuring it continues to meet teacher needs.
• Build Collaborative Environments - Identify needs with external partners and work with internal teams to design programs and products that support both departmental and school authority goals.
• Agility - Adapt to varying professional learning needs across school authorities under fiscal constraints. Develop evolving solutions that best serve students, informed by technology and policy changes through continuous improvement.

Qualifications

University graduation in a related field (Education, Business Administration, Public Administration, Law, etc.), plus a minimum of 4 years of related experience. Related experience or education may be considered as an equivalency on a one for on 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.

To achieve results, the Manager, Program Implementation requires:

• Knowledge of departmental goals, curriculum policies, and performance evaluation models.
• Expertise in stakeholder engagement and awareness of curriculum implementation challenges.
• Understanding of continuous improvement and its impact on teaching and learning.
• Familiarity with internal policies, communication processes, and political context.
• Strong grasp of ministry structure, stakeholders, and relevant legislation (e.g., School Act, POPA).
• Awareness of trends and best practices in curriculum and performance management.
• Experience in strategic planning, project leadership, and stakeholder consultation.
• Demonstrated leadership, diplomacy, and facilitation skills.

The role also requires strength in:

• Research and analytical skills to evaluate data and develop recommendations.
• Strategic thinking to design program frameworks and plans.
• Interpersonal skills to build effective relationships with stakeholders.
• Sound judgment and decision-making to support standards and processes.
• Strong communication skills for preparing documents and articulating concepts.
• Human resource management and stakeholder facilitation.

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

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

• 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.

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.
• 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.