Director General, Business Innovation and Community Development

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 Alberta team in Calgary.

You will excel in this role if you have an in-depth understanding of the Alberta economy, the roles of federal and provincial governments in economic development and diversification, strong leadership skills, proven management success and a network of economic development contacts in Alberta. 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 and strategic individuals with excellent communication skills to apply!

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 Nathaniel Harrigan 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 Alberta Region and part of the its senior management team of Alberta Region, Director General, Business Innovation and Community Development is an integral part of our senior leadership team. The Director General, Business Innovation and Community Development is accountable for the delivery of Western Economic Diversification’s grants and contribution programs; supporting the ADM in initiatives and providing formal back-up / representation in their absence; and the development and implementation of investment programs relating to WD strategic priorities, with a focus on the southern half of the province.

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 and one of the highest rated department by employees in the federal government 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. 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: 1

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

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 in providing strategic advice, making recommendations, writing and presenting briefing material 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 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 3 years.

Knowledge:
• Knowledge of current economic and business trends, opportunities and challenges in Alberta.
• Knowledge of key federal government initiatives, trends and issues relating to economic development programs.

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

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

The following may be applied / assessed at a later date (may be needed for the job)

ASSET 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. Solid understanding of the Innovation Ecosystem or Private-Sector Experience.
5. Experience in advocacy 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 engaging with Indigenous communities, governments and organizations.
9. 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

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

TIPS FOR APPLICANTS: When answering the screening questions ensure that you provide complete and thorough details of your experience. Do not assume that the screening board has any previous knowledge of your background, qualifications, or work history. You must be specific and provide concrete examples/details for each experience element, as applications will be screened only on the information provided. Failure to provide sufficient information may result in your application being screened out of the competition.

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, MAY BE USED for the purpose of managing applications.
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.

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.