Program Manager - Operations Development & Innovation

Department: Advanced Education
Location: HALIFAX
The mission of the Department of Advanced Education is to lead the Province’s advanced education sector through change and evolution to become a modern, responsive, strategically integrated system. Our goal is to align government departments, agencies, public and private sectors behind a common agenda to develop and promote strategic advanced education programming, infrastructure development, innovation, research, entrepreneurship, as well as social and sustainable growth and development through targeted investments.

We’re looking for an exceptional strategic leader who shares our vision of a high-quality, collaborative and inclusive post-secondary education system that is focused on helping all learners thrive.

You share our values of Kindness, Integrity, Accountability, Respect, Innovation, Collaboration and have a deep appreciation of diversity and inclusion, and actively promote and encourage the importance of teams, people, diversity and culture.

Reporting to the Executive Director of Programs and Accountability, the Director is responsible for the provincial oversight of the bilateral agreements with the 10 universities in Nova Scotia, and the operational processes related to annual funding grants to various system partners. This responsibility will include collaborating across the Department of Advanced Education, with other provincial departments, and with the post-secondary sector implementing new and expanded programming focused on areas of high labour market demand. Using data and reporting, the Director will lead the derivation of key insights into the sector that will inform decision making. The Director shall also lead the provincial implementation of the federal governments’ direction on the International Student Program, and chair inter-departmental committees and working groups that explore the health, safety and wellbeing of post-secondary students.

Monitoring and oversight of the 10 bilateral agreements with Nova Scotia universities and several targeted funding grants to other relevant system partners. The Director will be responsible for the departmental grant and risk management processes including the payment of over $400 million in funding to post-secondary education stakeholders and holding institutions and organizations responsible for delivering on the outcomes for the funded programs

• Monitoring the “financial health” metrics in the bilateral agreements with universities and using data for analysis and recommendations.
• Collaboration and leadership with other internal divisions, provincial departments, key stakeholders, senior university administrators including Presidents, and Boards of Governors. The Director must develop and maintain relationships and align resources that ensure the development of high quality and relevant programming within the post-secondary sector.
• As a leader of people within Advanced Education, the Director will oversee the team that advances the priorities and mandate of the division in a strategic and innovative manner to best leverage the advanced education system as a strategic asset in advancing provincial priorities and ensuring an inclusive and supportive system for all students.

To be successful in this role, you will have a Bachelor’s degree plus eight (8) years of related experience; or a relevant Master’s degree plus six (6) years of related experience. This may be formal management of staff and/or tangible examples of leading people on specific projects.

• Experience with provincial government processes and procedures related to briefing/decision documents and briefing processes, provincial budget processes, Cabinet Submissions and other functions of central government that are prominent in a Legislative, Regulatory, and public policy environment.
• Organizational and project management skills with the ability to build collaborative working relationships
• Proven ability to lead and manage program development, analysis, recommendation formulation, and implementation
• Ability to work under time pressures in a team environment, exercising sound independent judgment while managing competing priorities
• Demonstrated ability to develop creative strategies and innovative approaches to problem solving and decision making.

Prior experience at a management level with the Nova Scotia provincial public service will be considered an asset.

Decisiveness, Strategic Orientation, Developing Others, Team Leadership, Self-Awareness and Personal Impact, Effective Interactive Communication, Partnering and Relationship Building, and Intercultural and Diversity Proficiency.

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

Based on the employment status, 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. This is a term, full-time position with a projected end date of April 28, 2028, based in a comfortable office setting in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

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
• A dynamic, client-focused office environment where service excellence and teamwork are our focus

Salary Range:$4,550.68 - $5,688.35 Bi-Weekly

Implementation in our HR system will occur on March 5, 2026. Employees hired during this period will receive retroactive pay adjustments in accordance with the applicable policies.

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.