Manager, Strategic Workforce Planning

Role Responsibilities

This position is responsible for managing a portfolio of Government of Alberta (GoA) workforce planning projects to realize government outcomes and policy direction in support of systemic change within the post-secondary system aligned to Alberta's Recovery Plan, Alberta 2030, and Alberta at Work. Each project is centered on and organized by priority economic sectors; project focus on leveraging sector data/information to identify strategies for addressing workforce planning needs through the post-secondary system.

The Unit develops critical intelligence and leverages knowledge and relationships to inform policy and decision-making related to post-secondary programming.

Program management responsibilities for this position include monitoring the portfolio as a whole and specific projects and addressing issues as they merge; related evaluations and reporting, and ensuring opportunities for improvement are identified, analyzed, and mapped out in accordance with relevant department and government priorities. 

The Manager leads the Strategic Workforce Planning Unit and contributes to Branch leadership as a member of the management team. Strategic advice and recommendations are provided to senior and executive leaders within the department and in other departments.

Role Responsibilities (Continued)

Responsibilities: 

1.    Portfolio Management 

• Direct the development and implementation of various project processes including issues management, monitoring, tracking, and reporting tools to enable consistent management across portfolio projects.
• Maintain relationships and pathways with project stakeholders across the department and in other departments to maintain communication and information flow.
• Surface portfolio priorities and recommendations for decisions to appropriate leaders to inform decision-making.
• Integrate project monitoring to a portfolio / program levels (e.g., status of each project - are they tracking on target? Where are the hitches across the portfolio?). 
• Provide proactive advice and recommendations to project leaders (e.g., where projects are headed; where to go next based on the unique needs of each sector and potential impacts post-secondary institutions (PSIs) (e.g., need for capital investment or plans to accommodate increase clinical experience).
• Prepare budget materials including budget submissions and quarterly reports in collaboration with Financial Services to support the ongoing work of the portfolio and monitor and evaluate overall health of inflight programs, projects, and initiatives.
• Present reports on the progress across the portfolio to ensure the portfolio meets expectations (e.g., to project leaders and to Treasury Board and Finance).
• Manage the development of communications and responses to queries from various sources including from the media.

2.    Strategy Development

• Identify potential strategies to address workforce planning needs of each sector (10). 
• Advise other ministries on their workforce needs as a first point of contact based on collection and analysis of sector data and trends (e.g., what are the talent needs based on enrolment data, conversion rates and graduation trends). 
• Recommend approaches to development of talent pipelines based on understanding needs and sharing that back to the dept to advise on strategies.
• Provide high level strategic interpretation and advice regarding the application of labour market intelligence in the development of programs and services to enhance employment attraction and retention, and skill development.
• Advise allocation of fundings for the overall talent pipeline and formulate plans for financial distribution of project funds.
• Serve as the hub and focal point for coordinating AEs initiatives and involvement on cross-ministry initiatives.

3.    Strategy Research, Analysis and Advice
•    Manage research and analysis to provide sector data and information related to workforce planning needs.
•    Consult with project stakeholders in other ministries to ensure they have the necessary data / information. 
•    Lead the analysis of requirements - (is it an enrolment issue or will another incentive work?)
•    Ensure channels are open for the Unit to maintain awareness of enrolments across the post-secondary system in alignment with labour needs.

Role Responsibilities (Continued)

4.    Cross-ministry Coordination and Engagement

• Stand up cross-dept working teams and lead, co-lead or participate as needed.
• Coordinate and initiate several tables with other ministries to share intelligence across the GoA regarding labour needs across all sectors.
• Represent the Branch, Division, and Ministry perspectives and objectives to working groups and committees made. up of ministry, cross-ministry, cross-jurisdictional members.
• Engage other members of the ministry and other ministries in the development of briefing materials.
• Negotiate agreements within the ministry and with partnering ministries for the development of joint initiatives. 
• Build partnerships with other ministries, organizations, and stakeholders to foster a common vision and advancement on initiatives related to provincial workforce planning. 
   

5.    Manage unit operations on a day-to-day basis to meet branch or ministry goals and priorities

• Translate business plans and priorities into an operational plan and monitor its implementation.
• Supervise, coach and mentor staff, building a positive and productive environment based.
• Provide overall management of unit human and financial resources, including planning, prioritization, monitoring, and reporting.
• Resolve more complex operational issues and include staff in developing solutions.
• Adjust program resources (human or financial or technology related) to meet operational needs (e.g., short-term high demands; resource shortages).
• Manage the completion of related action requests and briefings.
   

6.    Support the Executive Director in achieving the mandate and goals of the Branch

• Participate in unit planning and reporting, working collaboratively with other managers and staff.
• Provide the Executive Director with strategic advice and recommendations for emerging issues, opportunities, and challenges.
• Provide input and recommendations to senior and executive decision-makers.
• Represent the Executive Director as needed.

Please click on this link to view the job description for this position.

Qualifications

Requirements:
 

• University graduation in a field related to the position assignment like Public Administration, supplemented by four years related experience.
• Supervisory and team leadership skills and significant project management experience will be a requirement for this role. 

Equivalency:
 

• Related experience or education may be considered as an equivalency on a one for one basis.

​​​​​​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.

This position requires extensive knowledge of/skills regarding:
 

• Ability to apply knowledge of relevant legislation and government strategic priorities to the portfolio of workforce planning projects.
• In-depth knowledge of approaches and methods in program management and change management 
• Knowledge of and exposure to the full strategy and policy development process.
• Financial and human resource management frameworks, policies, and processes in place across the GoA.
• Consultation, influence, and negotiation skills to manage and advance diverse projects across multiple economic sectors and ministries.
• Highly developed relationship building and communication skills. 
• Demonstrated ability to lead initiatives, manage change and achieve positive results.
• Ability to work independently, make appropriate decisions and acting as required. 
• Strong judgement/decision-making.
• Well-develop problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Agility to adapt quickly to changing direction and priorities across multiple subject matters simultaneously.
• Ability to maintain resiliency and momentum when leading projects with significant ambiguity.

Notes

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

Working location: Commerce Place, 10155 – 102 Street NW, Edmonton. 

Candidates are required to submit a resume and cover letter that succinctly demonstrate their qualifications against the job requirements, including education, experience, and relevant competencies. It is important for applicants to ensure their resume and cover letter clearly articulate how their past work experiences align with the role's qualifications and needs.

Please note that applications without a cover letter will not be considered.

Resumes must include precise employment dates (month and year) to assist in assessing written communication skills and attention to detail.

The final candidates for this position will be asked to undergo an academic check, references and may be asked to complete a written exercise and/or assessment.

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.

This competition may be used to fill future vacancies across the government of Alberta, at equal or lower classification and salary.
 
Out-of-province applicants can obtain the required documents/checks from the province they currently reside in. 

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
• 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