Valuing Diversity

At Labour, Skills and Immigration we don’t just accept difference – we celebrate a supportive culture of diversity, inclusion and belonging.
We work hard to create an environment where different perspectives and experiences are welcome and valued.
We are committed to helping diverse talent thrive.  We encourage applications from those that equally value diversity.

About Us

The Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration is a dynamic and innovative department that is focused on strategies, policies and programs that help people live, learn and work to their highest potential in vibrant businesses and organizations throughout the province.

The mandate of the Skills and Learning Branch within the Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration is to support the growth and strengthening of Nova Scotia’s workforce through the delivery of a labour market programming.

The branch is responsible for:

• Setting the strategic direction and providing leadership across the labour market portfolio;
• Ensuring the delivery of a modernized, future-focused workforce development system that underpins economic growth;
• Ensuring continuity and strategic use of multi-year federal funding agreements; and
• Providing evidence-based advice on labour market risks and opportunities to senior levels of government.
  
  

The branch’s Skills and Learning programs:

• Support workforce development in Nova Scotia in support of economic growth;
• Help businesses, sectors and employees to become more productive through skills training, strategic human resource services, and industry/sector partnerships;
• Help unemployed Nova Scotians prepare for, and secure work, through skills training, employment assistance, and work experience opportunities and local employment supports through the Nova Scotia Works system;
• Support career advancement and upskilling of Nova Scotia’s workforce;
• Support career-oriented work experiences for post-secondary students and employment for recent graduates and other youth; and
• Provide adult learners with the foundational education needed to enable further education or jobs through the Nova Scotia School for Adult Learning, and recognition of skills and credentials. 

About Our Opportunity

The Director of Workplace Initiatives leads the strategic planning, delivery and monitoring of the Branch's employer-facing workplace supports ensuring strategy, training programs and resources contribute to a skilled, diverse, adaptable future facing workforce and productive, innovative and globally competitive Nova Scotia businesses. The Director is accountable for fostering a climate that will drive workforce competitiveness and human capital focused productivity in the province supported by effective strategies, policies, priorities and programs. The Director is a conduit for bridging employer needs with employee training through building key partnerships with labour, business, and industry that support upskilling and reskilling the current workforce, workforce adjustment and labour market attachment. As a member of the Branch senior management team, the Director contributes to overall Skills and Learning strategic and investment planning and performance monitoring.    

Primary Accountabilities

In this role, you will lead provincial labour market programming that helps employers and industries anticipate workforce needs and build inclusive, productive workplaces. You’ll guide strategic, evidence based investments and ensure programs are aligned with government priorities and responsive to sector, regional, and employer realities. A key part of your work will involve establishing clear performance indicators, reporting frameworks, and evaluation tools to ensure transparency, accountability, and strong return on investment across the system.

You will champion major change initiatives, working closely with internal teams, industry partners, and service providers to drive improved outcomes through strong engagement, communication, and planning. You’ll also oversee the negotiation of significant employer and sector agreements, develop funding models, and set clear reporting expectations. Managing the divisional budget and forecasting future needs will be core responsibilities as you ensure the thoughtful stewardship of public resources.

Finally, you will help shape long term labour market strategies, programs, and standards by directing key initiatives and developing a consistent communication approach that supports understanding and alignment across the system.

Qualifications and Experience

As the ideal candidate you have a demonstrated history of using innovation, creativity and experience to meet the challenges and opportunities an in environment of frequent change. You have experience leading and developing complex and diverse teams and have demonstrated a high level of integrity through progressive leadership experience. You have demonstrated an ability to shape a positive and collaborative organizational environment that develops people and relationships that affect positive change. You have previous experience preparing and presenting briefing materials, documents, and presentations to senior and community leaders.  You have experience in the design, development, and delivery of programs and being able to think conceptually to see the big picture.

Your proven track record in networking, establishing partnerships, and your innovative mindset as a leader is needed. Also required is your previous experience working with multiple interested parties, including being able to build strong and lasting connections and trust-based relationships with representatives from other governments (federal, provincial/territorial).

Candidates should have a Bachelor's degree plus several years of related experience in leading programs, systems and people. A Masters’ level degree in Business, Public Administration or a related relevant discipline is considered an asset.  An acceptable combination of education and experience may be considered. 

LEADS

The Government of Nova Scotia has adopted the LEADS Leadership Framework.  During the interview, candidates will be expected to express how they have demonstrated the key behaviours and capabilities required to effectively lead in a caring and inclusive environment. LEADS Domains includes Leads Self, Engage Others, Achieve Results, Develop Coalitions and Systems Transformation.

Please follow LEADS (novascotia.ca) for more information.

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

Equivalency

Applicants relying on education and experience equivalencies must demonstrate such equivalencies in their application.

Benefits

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.

Additional Information

• Some travel, within Nova Scotia, may be required
• This is a permanent position 

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.