Director General, Policy & Advocacy and Director General, Economic Development & Investment Strategy

Important messages

Are you ready to join one of the most engaged and committed workforces in the federal public service? Are you a leader with a passion for economic development and the drive to make British Columbia an even greater place to live and work? If so, we want to hear from you. Pacific Economic Development Canada (PacifiCan) is the new federal regional development agency (RDA) focused on British Columbia’s evolving economy.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

We are looking for dynamic senior leaders who:
• are visionaries that have promoted innovation and guided change;
• are passionate about public policy;
• uphold integrity;
• have built and mobilized high-performance teams;
• are critical and entrepreneurial thinkers and,
• are experienced in building meaningful relationships with a variety of partners and stakeholders.

PACIFICAN - WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE DO

Our mandate is to grow and diversify the BC economy. We partner with British Columbian businesses and other organizations to create a more diversified economy driven by competitive and innovative local businesses and thriving communities. Our aim is to integrate local, provincial and national economic insights to drive local and regional investments, advice and advocacy.

Our programs, services and advocacy efforts help businesses, not-for-profits and communities grow stronger, overcome challenges and seize opportunities. PacifiCan performs four key roles to support BC’s economic development in partnership with local and regional stakeholders.

💼 Convenor – a trusted federal partner that understands local and regional circumstances and can make linkages within and outside of government to drive strategic investments and joint economic ventures.

💼Pathfinder – connect entrepreneurs, economic development organizations and communities with federal programming and services to increase their participation in British Columbia's economy.

💼Advisor – provide insights into regional economic issues to inform national policy and program decisions and contribute to the development of regional engagement strategies and advice to the federal government.

💼 Investor – guide clients to access PacifiCan’s funding programs to capitalize on strategic regional investment opportunities or identify other sources of funding to support economic growth, job creation, improved economic competitiveness and other related objectives.

Our head office will soon be in Surrey, and we have a strong presence throughout the province and in Ottawa. We offer business services and investment products with many goals, including the promotion of innovation and diversity. During the COVID-19 pandemic, PacifiCan has contributed significantly toward economic relief and recovery efforts through grants and contributions programming.

Duties

Stream 1 - Director General, Policy and Advocacy

The Director General, Policy and Advocacy is accountable for directing the development and implementation of Pacific Economic Development Canada’s (PacifiCan) strategic policy priorities, processes and practices to design a cohesive approach serving the Agency’s objectives. The Director General (DG) is responsible for conceiving a strategy to ensure appropriate representation of, and advocacy for, Agency interests through coordinated influential relationships and continuous in-depth integration of local, regional and provincial context, including insight from Programs and Partners branch, businesses, communities and partners. The DG provides integrated and relevant research, analysis and advice to enable the Minister, President and Vice Presidents to represent and advocate for the strategic policy and program interests of British Columbians and the operational interests of the Agency. The Director General, Policy and Advocacy reports to the Vice-President, Policy and Advocacy.

Stream 2 - Director General, Economic Development and Investment Strategy

The Director General, Economic Development and Investment Strategy is accountable for the development and implementation of Pacific Economic Development Canada’s (PacifiCan’s) strategic investment frameworks and initiatives to advance economic development throughout British Columbia. The Director General will create strategy, align resources and build capability to deliver regional economic development programming that maximizes impact. The Director General nurtures effective relationships with key agency, government, Indigenous, industry and community partners to advance priorities and achieve outcomes. The incumbent will leverage their knowledge of the British Columbia economy to provide strategic advice and recommendations to Executives in support of strategic investments and service excellence. The Director General, Economic Development and Investment Strategy reports to the Vice-President, Programs and Partners.

Work environment

PacifiCan is an innovative workplace that makes a difference in British Columbia. We celebrate our accomplishments as a team, and we care about each other. We consistently rank as a top federal department to work in, and we are driven to be the best at what we do. We hire top talent and provide an employment experience that brings out the best in people. We are motivated by achieving great results for British Columbians and Canadians.

Why consider a career with PacifiCan? If you join our team, you will:
• Contribute to meaningful work that strengthens the economy and makes a real difference in the lives of British Columbians and Canadians;
• Enjoy a culture of continuous learning and have the support for your professional development;
• Gain exposure to diverse economic sectors and issues of importance to the future economy;
• Travel the province;
• Work with modern tools and technology; and,
• Work with an innovative leadership team who is passionate about hiring and developing talent and achieving results.

Intent of the process

We are hiring for two permanent leadership positions:

Position 1: Director General, Policy and Advocacy

Position 2: Director General, Economic Development and Investment Strategy

Positions to be filled: 2

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

A covering letter "Your cover letter (maximum of 1500 words) must clearly outline how you meet the qualifications. Please use the qualification as a header and describe how you meet the requirements."

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

EDUCATION:
• Graduation with a degree from a recognized post-secondary institution in a field related to the position. An acceptable combination of education, training and/or experience will also be considered.

Degree equivalency

EXPERIENCE:
The following essential experience is required for both positions:
Stream 1 - Director General, Policy and Advocacy
Stream 2 - Director General, Economic Development, and Investment Strategy

• Significant* experience in leading business initiatives, programs, policy development and/or economic strategies.
• Significant* experience in providing strategic advice, recommendations, and briefings to senior officials** on complex*** issues, initiatives, programs, strategies and/or policies.
• Significant* experience in establishing, collaborating, negotiating, and maintaining partnerships with internal and external stakeholders and networks. (For example, other government departments and agencies, other levels of government, organizations and governments, private sector organizations, and non-government organizations)
• Significant* experience in managing human**** and financial *****resources.

Definitions:
* Significant experience refers to the depth and breadth of the experience normally associated with having performed a broad range of various related activities which are normally acquired over a period of at least three (3) years of cumulative experience in an EX (or equivalent) role.
** Senior officials refers to vice-presidents and equivalents in the public sector and above and co-chairs and chairs and equivalents in the private sector. For example: Ministers and Deputy Ministers, Senior Management Committees (VP and equivalent and above, Chairs, Co-Chairs and Corporate Boards).
***Complex issues include at least three (3) of the following characteristics: multidimensional, sensitive, confidential, affecting multiple partners or stakeholders, precedent setting, having a major impact on the public service or having a potential for significant media coverage.
****Applicants must clearly demonstrate they have recruited and supervised staff, assigned work, managed and assessed performance and developed staffing plans. Applicants must indicate the number of staff they have supervised.
*****Applicants must show evidence of managing a budget. This experience is defined as being responsible for sound financial planning, forecasting and reporting. Applicants must also indicate the size of the budget they managed directly.

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

ASSET QUALIFICATIONS
The following may be applied/assessed at any stage in the staffing process.

EDUCATION:
• Master’s degree in a field related to the duties of the position.

Degree equivalency

COMMON TO BOTH POSITIONS
EXPERIENCE:
• In-depth knowledge of British Columbia’s economy, challenges and opportunities.
• Experience managing in a matrix environment.
• Experience advocating and promoting regional economic interests.
• Experience leading organizational change or business transformation initiatives.

STREAM 1- POLICY AND ADVOCACY
EXPERIENCE:
• Significant* experience developing and implementing an economic research framework
• Significant* experience developing and implementing a policy framework approach that engages various stakeholders to collaborate, identify and deliver regional economic initiatives.
• Significant* experience working with government central agencies and developing complex policy proposals including Memorandum to Cabinet and Treasury Board submissions.

STREAM 2 - ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND INVESTMENT STRATEGY
EXPERIENCE:
• Significant* experience creating and executing high-impact economic development strategies.
• Significant* experience developing, managing, and assessing grants and contributions initiatives.
• Significant* experience negotiating complex multi-party arrangements in dynamic environments.

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

Various language requirements
• Bilingual - imperative CBC/CBC
• Bilingual - non-imperative CBC/CBC

Information on language requirements

KEY LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES:
• Creating vision and strategy: You engage and work through others to translate strategies into concrete objectives.
• Mobilizing people: You create a sense of common purpose and direction in the organization or community.
• Upholding integrity and respect: You hold yourself and the organization to the highest ethical and professional standards.
• Collaborating with partners and stakeholders: You hold yourself and the organization to the highest ethical and professional standards.
• Promoting innovation and guiding change: You identify opportunities for and barriers to innovation and proposes creative approaches.
• Achieving results: You align people, work and systems to achieve program and policy efficiencies and results.

For information on the Key Leadership Competencies at the Director General level, copy and paste this link into your browser:
https://www.canada.ca/en/treasury-board-secretariat/services/professional-development/key-leadership-competency-profile.html

ABILITIES:
• Effective communication skills (oral and written)

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

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSIVENESS:
• Pacific Economic Development Canada is committed to having an inclusive and diverse workforce representative of the population we serve. In support of our strategy to achieve our employment equity goals, consideration may be given to candidates who self-identify belonging to one of the following employment equity groups: Indigenous peoples, persons with a disability, visible minorities and women.

OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
• Willingness to travel frequently as required.
• Willingness to work long hours frequently as required.

Conditions of employment

• Secret security clearance
• Fully vaccinated for COVID 19 unless being accommodated based on a certified medical contraindication or a prohibited ground for discrimination as defined under the Canadian Human Rights Act.

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

HOW TO APPLY / INFORMATION THAT YOU MUST PROVIDE

RÉSUMÉ
Your résumé must include the following:
• Contact Information
• Education
• Current security level (if applicable)
• Language proficiency for both Official Languages
o Second language results and expiry dates, if applicable.
• Position history including
o Name of organization
o Position title
o Duration of time in each position held – from and to dates
o Role and responsibilities
o Reporting relationship
o Number of direct reports
o Total number of subordinates
o Budget - Salary and other operating costs.

REFERENCE CHECKS
You are required to provide the names and complete contact information/coordinates of six references (two most recent supervisors, two recent colleagues and two recent subordinates).

SCREENING
Applications will be reviewed to determine which candidates meet the screening requirements. Ensure you fully demonstrate in your application how you meet all essential and asset requirements. Executives are often required to succinctly brief senior management. As such, make sure to respect the instructions under the 'How To Apply' section and that your application is concise, telling and to the point.

Indeterminate employees at the EX-03 group and level or equivalent are invited to apply formally and express their interest in the positions being staffed. Subject to confirmation of eligibility, candidates may be considered for deployment.

ASSESSMENT CONSIDERATIONS
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 Carolyn Veitch by email at . Information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.

This staffing process will be conducted under tight deadlines. Applicants are required to provide the requested information promptly and make themselves available for assessment. Failure to respond in a timely manner could lead to your candidacy not being further considered. Rescheduling will be on an exceptional basis only.

A variety of assessment methods including reference checks will be applied throughout the process.

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.