Job Specification

Purpose of Position :

To provide strategic business advice and consultation services on Corporate change initiatives and business process changes. To co-ordinate the development and implementation of the Divisional business plan. To provide financial controllership functions for the Provincial Highways Management Core Business. To facilitate the research, planning and implementation of business practices, strategies and policies. To provide executive support to the Divisional Management Team in the preparation of briefings, reports and advice as well as co-ordinate project planning and maintaining processes supporting the Divisional Management Team.

Duties / Responsibilities :

1. Manage, coordinate and direct research and analytical projects and project teams related to business and strategic changes. Develop options and recommendations for projects related to the development of new business directions. Identifies, evaluates and monitors trends issues to contribute to the successful implementation of business change initiatives
2. To liaise with other branches and ministries in the development of business plans in support of business change initiatives and the estimates process. Further to liaise with Human Resources Branch and regional staff to ensure that program delivery changes proceed smoothly in accordance with collective agreements and pertinent legislation.
3. Provide financial controllership function for the management of a $1.3B annual budget for the Provincial Highways Management Core Business
4. Assist in the development and implementation of corporation initiatives pertaining to new opportunities in the delivery of existing, new and potential services and businesses. Identify and evaluate the potential impacts of the new line of business to the current and future environment and direction of the division.
5. Review material submitted by divisions' operating offices for their view of strategic and operational plans to ensure an integrated approach to planning activities and to analyse and evaluate deliverables against plans. Further, the preparation and/or review of detailed business cases to support recommended business strategies and new initiatives for submission to division and ministry senior staff and Management Board of Cabinet.
6. Develops communications/marketing strategies and the framework that provides centrally coordinated planning, implementation and information regarding business initiatives, products and services.
7. Provides consultative advice and guidance to senior management and colleagues on a full range of business management activities including: strategic, operational, human resources and estimates planning.
8. Guide the identifying, prioritizing, monitoring and evaluating of head office projects ensuring that the work truly reflects core business priorities and allows senior management the ability to make tradeoffs across the full spectrum consulting with other branches and developing partnerships.
9. Assist the Provincial Highways Management Committee in the evaluation of head office budgets and project proposals and in the interpretation of project progress and evaluation reports. Co-ordinate the planning, scheduling and presentation of project proposals for review of the Resources Planning Committee
10. Act as the primary liaison among project managers, office managers, directors and senior executives with respect to project development and tracking of head office budgets, schedules and accomplishments.

Knowledge :

The position requires excellent knowledge of the theory and practical application of business management methods including: performance measures, benchmarking, and re-engineering to provide consultative advice and to lead and/or participate in management and analysis projects.
Excellent knowledge of government policies and practices in the areas of strategic, operational and fiscal planning, financial management, policy development, human resources and the business planning cycle to provide expert advice to management. Excellent knowledge and skills in the areas of marketing and communications to develop strategies and frameworks to communicate/market divisional initiatives, products and service.
Knowledge and understanding of research methodologies and techniques and statistical analyses to conduct research projects and to develop/utilize various models, tools and prototypes to support ongoing project activities. Thorough knowledge of ministry and divisional strategic directions and goals to develop and maintain cooperative partnerships with colleagues throughout the ministry. Knowledge and competency in strategic business based project planning, monitoring and evaluation methods to co-ordinate project proposals accompanied by financial management skills to determine project scope; analyse financial needs, prepare financial forecasts and prepare financial progress and evaluation reports. Excellent oral and written communication skills to prepare and present material such as business cases, marketing and communications plans, policies and procedures, and briefing notes to senior management. Excellent consultative skills to provide expertise, advice and guidance to senior management. Project leadership skills to plan, conduct and participate on various concurrent projects. Strong team leadership and membership skills to effectively work in a team environment.

Judgement :

Position works under general direction of the Manager, Program Implementation Office within the broad framework of the ministry/branch strategic directions and goals. Position is expected to exercise considerable judgement in working with the Manager, Planning Officers, and other Senior Project Coordinators to develop and foster strong linkages with partners and colleagues in ongoing project activities as well as leading and facilitating project planning, monitoring and cost effectiveness reviews of project business proposals. Position exercises judgment in conducting the research, analysis, introduction, market and communication of new business products and services. The position exercises considerable independence in leading and facilitating project planning, monitoring and cost effectiveness. Judgment is required in analysing current systems and practices and determining new business practices, performance measures, benchmarking and reengineering initiates with consideration to current trends and advances in the field, opportunities for partnerships with private and public sector customer expectations and fiscal constraints. Judgment is also exercised in providing consultative advice and business expertise to management on alternative approaches to current practices. and in assisting operating office management in such areas as: strategic and operational planning and policy development. Position exercises judgment in providing appropriate leadership to the Investment Advisory Committee, project teams comprised of office colleagues, Division staff and management and representatives from other branches/divisions within the Ministry.

Accountability - Programs :

Program: Responsible for providing consultative advice and expertise on business strategies, projects and activities which support the planning, development and marketing of new services and service options. For project planning, the position is accountable for co-ordinating the Operations Division core business based project planning and monitoring process.

Accountability – Personnel :

Personnel: Provides team leadership to selected project teams. The position oversees the work of external consulting service providers on a project basis. Acts for manager in absences.

Accountability - Impact of Errors :

Impact of Errors: The provision of ineffective leadership and expertise on a full range of business management activities would have an adverse impact on the divisions' ability to develop and implement optimum services, innovative products and alternative service delivery methods. Ineffective recommendations regarding business practices could create potential for poor service: delivery, wasted government funds. Improper research data analysis could lead to inaccurate information and inaccurate data resulting in ineffective implementation of business process initiatives.

Contact - Internal :

Internal: Frequent contact with management of Divisions to provide expertise and advice in the various areas of business management, lead projects and to facilitate the implementation of reengineering initiatives. Regular contact with management in other branches/divisions of MTO and client ministries to initiate/develop partnerships, lead/participate on projects for coordinated/cooperative service delivery/product development and provide advice as needed.

Contact - External :

External: Ongoing contact with specialists in the field of organizational design and strategic planning to obtain data regarding best business practices and potential opportunities within the public and private sectors as well as regular contact with external consulting services in the delivery of project management services.