Business Development Advisor - Planning and Development Officer

Competition # : 49017

Department: Communities, Culture, Tourism & Heritage

Location: HALIFAX

Type of Employment: Permanent

Union Status: NSGEU - NSPG

Closing Date: 24-Jun-26 (Applications are accepted until 11:59 PM Atlantic Time)

Designation Status

This opportunity is designated to applicants that identify as: Indigenous Person, African/Black Nova Scotian and other Racialized Persons, Person with a Disability.

See the Nova Scotia Government’s Employment Equity Policy for more information, including additional details on the designated groups.

The Department of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage supports communities across the province to be welcoming, inclusive and accessible, providing a great quality of life for Nova Scotians and a memorable experience for visitors. We value the collective diversity of our heritage and our people and believe in the transformative nature of culture to help create healthy, active, growing communities.

Tourism Nova Scotia, a division of CCTH, is focused on attracting visitors to the province and maximizing the value of tourism to Nova Scotia’s economy through experience and sector development, business coaching, marketing, and visitor servicing.

About Our Opportunity

The Business Development Advisor (BDA) focuses on developing and implementing innovative programming, including initiatives that support digital adoption, technology transformation, business resilience, and the competitiveness of Nova Scotia tourism businesses. The BDA is responsible for promoting the growth and development of tourism as a critical economic sector in Nova Scotia by formulating and implementing initiatives aligned with the Nova Scotia Tourism Sector Strategic Plan. The BDA provides tourism coaching and advisory services to existing and prospective tourism businesses, industry operators, non-profit organizations, and communities. The BDA encourages new tourism investment opportunities; establishes and maintains strategic professional relationships with stakeholders; delivers business development funding and learning/professional development programs; evaluates tourism-related proposals seeking government assistance; and participates on interdepartmental, intergovernmental and industry committees/teams.

The Business Development Advisor works in a continually changing global tourism environment, leading to evolving business practices and emerging trends. In this environment, the incumbent must quickly adapt to new circumstances, contribute to unique programming, and be open to training on new technologies and tourism trends.

This position reports to the Manager of Business Development.

Primary Accountabilities

The Business Development Advisor is also responsible for:

• Provide advisory services and counselling to community groups, private sector, and government in the planning and development of tourism.
• Handle a number of active project files and coordinate the necessary evaluation, management and monitoring tasks in a timely and professional manner.
• Communicate tourism information to a range of audiences to foster the growth and development of tourism as a key economic sector in Nova Scotia.
• Contribute to creating and developing new programs, including performing research and jurisdictional scans on potential program opportunities. Consult and advise in the development of program objectives, guidelines, and implementation processes. Recommend improvements to support effective program delivery and implementation. Manage priorities and work effectively to achieve expected service standards for clients.
• Manage individual program files throughout the agreement lifecycle, from receipt of the application to agreement closeout. This includes providing coaching and advice to clients on their eligibility for various Tourism Nova Scotia programs, seeking legal advice as necessary, evaluating and scoring proposals, collaborating and negotiating with other funding agencies (provincial, federal) and delivery partners, preparing all formal documentation, tracking program progress from implementation to completion.

Qualifications And Experience

To be successful in this role, you have a bachelor's degree, preferably in Business, and one (1) years of related experience in tourism development. Experience in related fields such as planning, communications, or economics with a tourism concentration will be considered.

You have strong written and verbal communication skills, including the essential ability to develop and deliver professional presentations and program materials. You demonstrate strong project management skills, strategic orientation, creativity, and persuasiveness through individual initiative by developing and leading new projects. You’re a team player with excellent interpersonal, organizational, and time management skills, demonstrating sound judgement and discretion. You can effectively manage meetings, handle difficult situations and represent Tourism Nova Scotia at various meetings.

You also have experience of various computer software applications including (but not limited to) Microsoft Office 365 applications (including Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, and other productivity tools) and internet-based applications.

While not required, it is considered an asset if you possess:

• Public sector experience, including knowledge of public sector policies, programs, and services.
• Written and verbal communication skills in French language are considered an asset.

The above qualifications will be assessed using one or more of the following tools: written examination, standardized tests, oral presentations, interview(s), and reference checks.

Equivalency

An equivalent combination of training, education and experience will be considered. Applicants relying on education and experience equivalencies must demonstrate such equivalencies in their application.

Equivalences considered such as five (5) years of related experience in the tourism industry

Benefits

Based on the employment status and union agreement, the Government of Nova Scotia offers its employees a wide range of benefits such as a Defined Benefit Pension Plan, Health, Dental, Life Insurance, General illness, Short and Long Term Disability, Vacation and Employee and Family Assistance Programs. For information on all our Benefit program offerings, click here: Benefits for government employees.

What We Offer

• Career development where you have access to career guidance, tools, resources, and ongoing training for every stage of your career
• Engaging workplace: our employees feel valued, respected, connected, and tuned in, we have forward-thinking policies and strategies
• Countless career paths
• A Dynamic, client-focused office environment where service excellence and teamwork are our focus.

Pay Grade: PR 05 - PR 13

Salary Range: $2,025.08 - $3,410.48 Bi-Weekly

Employment Equity Statement: Our goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative, at all job levels, of the citizens we serve. The Government of Nova Scotia has an Employment Equity Policy, and we welcome applications from Indigenous People, African Nova Scotians and Other Racially Visible Persons, Persons with Disabilities and Women in occupations or positions where they are under-represented. If you are a member of one of these equity groups, you are encouraged to self-identify on your electronic application.

Accommodation Statement: We are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. Candidates may request accommodations based on any grounds protected by the Human Rights Act. If you require an accommodation throughout the recruitment process, please contact us at View email address on canada.jobradars.com.

This Is a Bargaining Unit Position Initially Restricted To Current Civil Service Employees Represented By The Nova Scotia Government Employees Union (NSGEU). If Applying From Outside a Government Office, Employees Must Apply Correctly Via This Link

Failure to apply correctly means that your application will not be given first consideration as a bargaining unit applicant, and will only be included if external applications are pursued.

External applicants and current casual employees will only be considered if there are no qualified civil service bargaining unit candidates. PLEASE NOTE: Candidates will not be considered for an interview if applications are incomplete or are missing information.

If you are receiving a pension from the Nova Scotia Public Service Superannuation Plan (PSSP) or any related plans, you cannot receive pension payments while contributing to the same plan. If you accept a position that requires PSSP contributions, your pension payments must be stopped. Please contact the Nova Scotia Pension Services Corporation for more information.

Offer of employment is conditional upon the completion of all applicable background checks and confirmation of credentials, the results of which must be satisfactory to the employer. We thank all applicants for the interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. All questions and concerns may be directed to ***email_hidden***.