SEARCH PROFILE Executive Director Policy, Planning and Legislative Services Alberta Seniors and Housing Executive Manager I Salary Range: $125,318 - $164,691 ($4,801.47 $6,310.03 bi-weekly) Limited Competition Job ID: 1035654 Closing Date: May 6, 2016
Alberta Seniors and Housing Overview The Seniors and Housing ministry is responsible for the well-being and quality of life of Alberta seniors and those in need of housing. The ministry is responsible for the creation of affordable housing options for Albertans most in need and helping Alberta s aging population lead healthy and independent lives. With approximately 265 staff located across the province, the scope of the ministry is wide with clients that include seniors, families, caregivers, workers, employers, immigrants, job seekers and people in financial need. The ministry provides leadership to government in developing policies and programs that support our growing population of seniors, as well as Albertans who require our help to have safe, secure and affordable housing. For further information, visit the ministry website at: http://seniors.alberta.ca/ Position Summary Your leadership and strategic policy advice will drive proactive planning and policy development that supports a broad program delivery portfolio. This role will challenge you to model leading practices that generate breakthrough ideas, fresh perspectives and new opportunities to affect change related to policy and planning. You will support your team in identifying forward looking policy solutions focused on strengthening the coordination of ministry programs and services that align with government priorities. Modelling a collaborative approach, you will foster a partnering culture, engaging program delivery divisions, cross ministry partners, and diverse community stakeholders in defining public policy directions. Major Accountabilities Providing executive leadership and strategic advice in the planning and development of congruent policy that supports alignment and integration of the suite of Seniors and Housing supports and services. Promoting innovative policy development as a foundation for coordinated programs, supports and services that lead to better outcomes for clients. Ensuring integration, alignment and coordination of an Affordable Housing Strategy, development and delivery of the ministry s Business Plan, all legislation including Ministerial Orders and Orders in council, and ministry priorities and broader government business goals. Supporting legislative review processes required to enable policy change. Creating strategic alliances and fostering a partnering culture with program delivery divisions, cross government partners and external stakeholders to create the framework for the development and implementation of effective and responsive public policy. Identifying emerging trends that may impact program policy direction and overseeing policy research to support forward focused policy development and planning. Executive Search, Alberta Corporate Human Resources 780-408-8460 Executive Director / Page 2
Applying a strategic and systems policy lens across multiple lines of ministry business, to identify the impact of proposed policy on ministry and government programs and legislation. Establishing and maintaining networks within the broad policy community to ensure department direction remains leading edge and relevant. Development and delivery of the ministry business plan, performance measures and key reporting documents such as the Annual Report. Leads an ongoing cycle that works in close collaboration with ministry staff and entities to develop, review, and enhance processes that support system accountability. Implementing a continuous, proactive and systematic process to understand, manage and communicate risk from an organization-wide perspective through Enterprise Risk Management. Provide leadership and facilitate strategic planning opportunities for executive and senior leadership in the ministry. Leading a diverse team, providing support, coaching and mentoring to enable development of staff capabilities, competencies, agility and personal development goals. Fostering an organizational culture that creates a sense of common purpose, leadership and ownership, and inspires work towards achievement of organizational success. Managing human and fiscal resources. Authorities The Executive Director, Policy, Planning and Legislative Services, is involved with the administration of legislation relating to the business of the ministry and other legislation related to leadership responsibilities and delegated authorities including: Government Organization Act Financial Administration Act Fiscal Planning and Transparency Act Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIP) The Public Service Act Organization With a corporate policy focus, reporting to the Assistant Deputy Minister, Strategic Services, this role provides leadership and strategic direction to two teams: Strategic and Corporate Policy Team (including legislative services) and the Strategic Planning and Reporting Team. The Executive Director works closely with others members of the division leadership team in providing direction within the context of ministry goals and business plans and developing and implementing integrated cross-functional strategy teams and projects within the division. Financial and Human Resource Management Executive Search, Alberta Corporate Human Resources 780-408-8460 Executive Director / Page 3
This leadership role is accountable for the effective management of approximately 11 full time equivalencies and a budget of approximately 1 million. Contacts Contacts include the Deputy Minister, members of the ministry s executive team, ministry Executive Directors, and staff within the ministry and other ministries. Success in this role requires trusted consultation and engagement with key stakeholders within the Ministry, across government and within the community. Close collaboration with program delivery divisions is essential. Issues / Challenges Leading the development of sustainable policy options for the ministry, while recognizing the diversity and breadth of the client population. Working with diverse stakeholders to identify new and innovative approaches for improving the integration and coordination of supports and services for vulnerable Albertans. Promoting a highly collaborative and engaging process to influence the development of public policy initiatives that will affect change in attitudes. The Person (1) Knowledge/Skills/Experience Significant related senior management experience in a complex public sector organization. Expertise in strategic public policy development, with a strong understanding of the relationship between policy and program delivery, and a demonstrated ability to translate strategy into action plans. Broad knowledge and understanding of key program and services integral to supporting vulnerable Albertans. Strategic and business planning strengths with a reputation for encouraging commitment to new approaches and leading ongoing evolution of comprehensive, integrated policies and programs. Strong knowledge of government role, structure, policies and procedures and awareness of the political environment in which the ministry operates. Demonstrated ability to create collaborative environments and building interest-based relationships within the organization, across government, and with a diverse group of community stakeholders. Strategic negotiation and conflict resolution, with the ability to influence others to achieve outcomes. Proven ability to lead high impact initiatives and manage change. Executive Search, Alberta Corporate Human Resources 780-408-8460 Executive Director / Page 4
Advanced systems thinking, conceptual and problem solving abilities to identify and analyze issues and risks; develop solutions and promote commitment to new approaches; and influence decision making. Agility to operate effectively within a continually changing business environment. Strong project management skills with the capacity to deliver results on ministry priorities, while managing a number of complex issues. Commitment to strengthening organizational capacity, championing leadership development, and creating a work environment that enables staff to build competencies. Proven success in leading, coaching and mentoring teams and effectively managing significant fiscal and human resources, including partnerships and indirect resourcing to meet goals. (2) Academic Background A related degree is preferred. (3) Alberta Public Service (APS) Competencies: Competencies are behaviours that are essential to reach our goals in serving Albertans. The following competencies are drawn from the Alberta Public Service Competency Model to reflect government s focus on planning, strategizing and leadership to accomplish goals. See link for more information on the competencies, visit: http://www.chr.alberta.ca/practitioners/?file=learning/competencies/apsmodel/competenciescf=9 Role Specific Competencies: Leadership: o Communicates a vision for the team that generates excitement, enthusiasm and commitment to the team mission. o Courage and conviction to take calculated risks. Affects changes that are perceived as innovative, leading edge, and potentially controversial. Systems Thinking: o Actively seeks out and acts on opportunities to champion initiatives in support of ministry s goals o Considers the big picture when examining possible opportunities. o Engages others in strategic thinking and challenges to think creatively. o Ability to think creatively and strategically in developing innovative and feasible policy options and strategic solutions to complex issues. o Models leading practices to generate breakthrough ideas, fresh perspectives and new opportunities. Creative Problem Solving: o Strong conceptual, analytical and problem solving skills that facilitate decisions in a timely manner. Ability to identify key issues and develop solutions. o Understands reasons behind ongoing issues within the ministry and takes these into account when deciding on a course of action. Agility: Executive Search, Alberta Corporate Human Resources 780-408-8460 Executive Director / Page 5
o Ability to shift strategic focus and activities quickly in response to changing organizational priorities. o Ability to analyze situations and potential outcomes and change direction appropriately. Build Collaborative Environments: o Strong ability to resolve conflict, mediate and negotiate to produce a positive outcome for all. Develop Networks: o Excellent interpersonal skills and highly developed oral and written communication style. o Nurtures existing and potential relationships and partnerships with internal and external stakeholders to help achieved the divisions strategic goals. o Proactively shares information to better leverage the capabilities of the division. Drive For Results: o Ability to prioritize work and produce quality results. o Impact and Influence: ability to present otherwise unpopular ideas or concepts in a manner that outlines and emphasizes the benefit to the audience. o Ability to effectively manage fiscal and human resources. o Time management and organizational skills, and the ability to take on multiple projects and tasks and complete in a timely manner. Executive Search, Alberta Corporate Human Resources 780-408-8460 Executive Director / Page 6
Alberta Public Service Competencies: Relationship Thinking Achievement DEVELOP NETWORKS Proactively building networks, connecting and building trust in relationships with different stakeholders. Identifies stakeholders Builds relationships Focuses on client Communicates purposefully BUILD COLLABORATIVE ENVIRONMENTS Leads and contributes to the conditions and environments that allow people to work collaboratively and productively to achieve outcomes. Brings people together Facilitates communication Addresses conflict Empowers others Encourages diversity DEVELOP SELF AND OTHERS A commitment to lifelong learning and the desire to invest in the development of the longterm capability of yourself and others. Plans for development Actions development Supports others development Develops staff CREATIVE PROBLEM SOLVING Ability to assess options and implications in new ways to achieve outcomes and solutions. Seeks clarity Challenges the process Integrates perspectives Identifies alternative solutions SYSTEMS THINKING The work done in the APS is part of a larger integrated and interrelated environment. It is important to know that work done in one part of the APS impacts a variety of other groups/projects inside and outside the APS. Systems Thinking allows us to keep broader impacts and connections in mind. Looks beyond the immediate Considers impacts Understands connections Provides clarity AGILITY Ability to anticipate, assess and readily adapt to changing priorities, maintain resilience in times of uncertainty and effectively work in a changing environment. Seeks out new opportunities Anticipates change Emotional resilience Supports change Adapts DRIVE FOR RESULTS Knowing what outcomes are important and maximizing resources to achieve results that are aligned with the goals of the organization, while maintaining accountability to each other and external stakeholders. Plans for results Takes accountability Takes risks Focuses on outcomes Executive Search, Alberta Corporate Human Resources 780-408-8460 Executive Director / Page 7