Director General, Operations

Important messages

Have you always wanted to be a leader in an innovative, diverse, client-centered organization? Well now is your chance! Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) is looking for a Director General to join our Manitoba team, in Winnipeg.

You will excel in this role if you have an in-depth understanding of the Manitoba economy, the roles of federal and provincial governments in economic development and diversification, and a network of economic development contacts in the province. This role will appeal to someone who has high standards, thrives in a fast-paced environment, and demonstrates a commitment to teamwork and staff development. We encourage all highly motivated individuals with excellent communication skills to apply!

Interviews will be held the week of July 19th and due to operational requirements, cannot be delayed. Please note: as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are primarily working remotely for the time being. Interviews and related assessments will be conducted virtually throughout this staffing process. Applicants are responsible to ensure they have a reliable internet connection and access. If you are appointed to a position, WD will provide tools and/or equipment to support remote work. As public health restrictions ease, the successful candidate will be expected to report to the WD Winnipeg office regularly.

We are committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free work environment, starting with the hiring process. If you need to be accommodated during any phase of the process, please contact Jamie Warywoda by email at . All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.

Duties

About the role:
Reporting to the Assistant Deputy Minister of Manitoba Region and part of WD’s Executive Committee, the Director General is an integral part of our senior leadership team. The position is accountable for the delivery of Western Economic Diversification’s core services. This includes the development and implementation of advisory supports, collaborative initiatives, convening functions, client pathfinder supports, and investment supports relating to WD strategic priorities; a number of grants and contribution programs; and supporting the ADM in initiatives and providing formal back-up / representation in their absence.

About WD:
Western Economic Diversification promotes the development of Western Canada’s economy and advances the interests of the West in national economic policy. Our head office is in Edmonton and we have a strong presence across the western provinces and in Ottawa. We offer diverse business services and investments with many goals, including the promotion of innovation and diversity. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, WD has pivoted many of our resources towards economic relief and recovery efforts, and the organization’s lending budget has grown to a billion-dollar grants and contributions organization.

Work environment

WD is one of Western Canada’s best employers because of its support for employees, innovative workplace and ability to make a difference in the lives of Western Canadians.

At WD, we care about what we can accomplish as a team and we also care about each other. We consistently rank as a top federal department in employee engagement. To sustain this high-performing culture, we hire top talent and provide an employment experience that brings out the best in people. We want to achieve great results for Canadians and we want to be the best at what we do.

Why Choose WD:
• Work with amazing people who support each other
• Meaningful work that makes a difference to the country
• Excellent compensation package
• Flexible work arrangements
• Modern work tools and technology

WD offices are open environments with well-regulated air quality, ergonomic sit- stand workstations, and a combination of natural and fluorescent lighting. The physical demands of this position include spending a significant amount of screen time on a computer or equivalent, as well as reading documents in digital and/or print media. This role will also involve meeting with stakeholders virtually by video or telephone, and in-person as COVID-19 public health measures allow.

Intent of the process

We will fill one permanent full-time vacancy.

This process may be used for various tenures (including but not limited to term and indeterminate appointments, internal assignments, secondments, deployments, acting appointments, casual). It may also be used to staff positions with various security requirements, language requirements and conditions of employment. The pool of qualified candidates may also be shared and accessed by other federal government departments.

Alternatively, you may submit your resume and cover letter to

Positions to be filled: Number to be determined

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

A covering letter

In order to be considered, your application must clearly explain how you meet the following (essential qualifications)

Education: Successful completion of a degree from a recognized post- secondary institution or an acceptable combination of education, training and experience.

Degree equivalency

Experience:
1. Significant* experience managing financial and human resources.
2. Significant* experience providing strategic advice, making recommendations, writing and presenting briefing material (eg. Treasury Board Submissions, Ministerial Correspondence) to senior executives on complex issues (policies, programs, legislation, issues management).
3. Experience building and maintaining relationships with internal and external stakeholders (federal/provincial/territorial departments, central agencies, the private sector, not-for- profit organizations, and/or Indigenous communities).
4. Experience managing grants and contributions programs and assessing results.
5. Experience leading or managing the coordination, development or implementation of organization strategies, policies or programs.

*NOTE: Significant experience is defined as the depth and breadth of experience normally associated with full time performance of these duties for a minimum of the past 5 years.

Key Leadership Competencies
• Create Vision and Strategy
• Mobilize People
• Uphold Integrity and Respect
• Collaborate with Partners and Stakeholders
• Achieve Results
• Promote Innovation and Guide Change
• Excellent Communicator – orally and in writing

If you possess any of the following, your application must also clearly explain how you meet it (other qualifications)

1. Master’s degree in a field related to the duties.

Degree equivalency

2. Experience managing economic development programs.
3. Experience working with Federal, Provincial or Municipal governments.
4. Experience interacting with and providing strategic advice to Deputy Minister’s and/or Minister’s offices.
5. Experience advocating and promoting western or regional economic interests.
6. Experience managing staff remotely or in a matrix environment.
7. Experiencing advocating for or championing ideas.
8. Experience establishing and maintaining networks and partnerships with other levels of governments, post-secondary institutions, industry organizations, etc.
9. Experience in engaging with Indigenous communities, governments and organizations.
10. Experience developing and implementing a framework and approach to multi-party, collaborative research and assessment projects.
11. Experience developing Memoranda to Cabinet and Treasury Board Submissions.
12. Depth, breadth and scope in any one or combination of the experience factors.

Operational Requirements:
• Willingness and ability to work overtime when required.
• Willingness and ability to travel occasionally

The following will be applied / assessed at a later date (essential for the job)

Bilingual - Imperative (BBB/BBB)

Information on language requirements

Conditions of employment

Secret security clearance

Other information

The Public Service of Canada is committed to building a skilled and diverse workforce that reflects the Canadians we serve. We promote employment equity and encourage you to indicate if you belong to one of the designated groups when you apply.

Information on employment equity

Communication for this process will be sent via email. Applicants must check their email accounts frequently as there may be a deadline for responses. It is the responsibility of the candidate to ensure accurate contact information is provided and updated as required. Candidates who apply to this selection process should include an email address that accepts email from unknown users (some email systems block these types of email).

Depending on the number of applicants, the needs and/or Human Resources plans, volume management strategies such as random selection, top-down approach and/or establishing cut-off scores to determine who will continue in the staffing process, will be used for the purpose of managing applications.

Preference

Preference will be given to veterans first and then to Canadian citizens and permanent residents, with the exception of a job located in Nunavut, where Nunavut Inuit will be appointed first.

Information on the preference to veterans

We thank all those who apply. Only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.