Job Specification

Purpose :

To provide strategic planning and leadership for the identification and management of the organization's business information requirements, including the development/ implementation of strategies, innovative tools and new business processes to manage program information and content throughout a large scale change management initiative while retaining business continuity.

To manage and coordinate the development of a progressive framework aligned to the ministry's strategic priorities and available resources.

To manage a team responsible for the design, implementation, and management of concurrent project initiatives, and for supporting a digital-first approach to activities across the organization through project planning, coordination and consultation service to support achievement of organization/ministry program mandates.

To establish and manage relationships with a range of internal and external stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities :

1. Plans, defines and establishes the overall approach for strategic and operational planning and design within the context of the organization's strategic vision and organizational design to support continuous improvement and optimization of business solutions, business practices and services.

2. Oversees the research, analysis, and development of business change management options/proposals and strategies to maximize the effectiveness of programs and service delivery. Forecasts any resource requirements to implement changes to service delivery and to operationalize strategic directions and plans.

3. Provides advice and consultation throughout the organization on business solutions and best practices to address modernization and program delivery requirements. Acts as interface between the organization's department and the I&IT department to provide direction, advice and support on business requirements/ needs, information content and business processes to develop and enhance the organization's digital infrastructure, architecture and system processes in support of programs delivery.

4. Develops and implements a communication framework to ensure the consistent and comprehensive flow of information to staff and stakeholders. Develops communication strategies, including program recommendations, to support the planning, development and implementation of strategies, processes and guidelines and to mitigate any identified risk and manage any identified critical and emerging issues.

5. Sets priorities and develops long and short term plans to manage business solutions consultation, program delivery capacity, and related supports. Oversees the implementation of transition and change plans, to promote support, optimize learning, minimize resistance and ensure the effective handover and ongoing support for organization programs.

6. Leads the implementation of improved best practices and the development and implementation of key performance indicators and criteria to assess risks, progress, results and achievements of strategic and operational goals and objectives.

7. Represents the organization on senior-level intergovernmental planning committees and task forces, and as a member of the senior management team, participates in strategic and results based planning and decision-making to support organization/ministry planning priorities.

Managerial Responsibilities
1. Develops and oversees ministry strategic plans in the program area and provides advice and expertise to executive levels on issues impacting the OPS and ministry service deliverables.

2. Controls financial resources and reporting, develops the multi-year budget and resource plans. Leads business, financial, and results-based planning processes for Ministry programs/operations and services.

3. Builds organizational capacity through effective human resources development by authorizing recruitment activities, labour relations management, talent management, organizational design and succession planning.

4. Establishes and maintains strong working relationships with key partners and stakeholders to ensure timely and accurate information flow and identification of issues; presents and advocates the ministry's position at various forums.

5. Responsible for the overall compliance with legislative statutes, collective agreements, government and ministry policies, directives, guidelines and commitments related to programs and services.

Factors :

Knowledge :

Ministry strategic corporate directions, multi-year business and results based planning processes, and ministry service delivery models, to lead and manage a significant ministry program area, to determine program objectives and resource requirements and to ensure alignment of programs and projects with corporate strategic goals.

Government and ministry financial, administrative and procurement policies and directives to plan and manage fiscal and material resources. This includes reviewing and approving budgets, managing facilities, assets, and contract service providers, leading long range fiscal planning, providing regular financial reporting, and ensuring compliance with financial protocols, audit principles, directives and guidelines.

Human resources theories, principles, policies and collective agreements to develop organizational capacity which includes succession planning, talent management, organization and job design and labour relations management.

Project management principles and methodologies to oversee and guide the overall delivery of mandates and strategies.

Ministry and government directions for the programs and services of the organization and the diverse business systems of the organization including operating and program delivery, program data collection and reporting databases to translate the range of complex business needs unique to the organization to influence technology solutions for new systems.

Information technology direction, standards and methods to interface between organization's business areas and I&IT department who manages the system architecture/ backbone and system processes to provide for organization wide multi-purpose and multi-client systems that meets the user and public high demand and program needs. To assess and introduce new business processes and advanced technology to support organization programs and government policy initiatives.

Change management and continuous improvement processes and principles to lead the development of change management strategies to maximize the effectiveness of programs and service delivery, and to oversee the analysis and evaluation of program effectiveness, in order to identify gaps, costs, impacts and issues, establish best practices, and provide evidence-based program planning and delivery recommendations.

Business case development and process modelling, including data modelling, and/or information resource management (data and information perspective) and business analysis, design and process re-engineering in order to lead analysis and propose business solutions to client program's business requirements.

Risk management principles, and government and ministry communications and issues management processes and methods, to provide identification and analysis of issues potentially impacting program management and delivery, and to provide strategic advice and recommendations to senior managers on issues mitigation.

Performance measurement to oversee the design / implementation of performance measurement, monitoring and reporting techniques/ tools in support of unit strategies, projects and initiatives.

Financial and business skills to develop business cases, product plans and to plan and manage the unit and project budgets.

Knowledge of contract tendering, RFP, RFI and contract procurement process to manage the acquisition and management of external service providers.

Political acuity to understand organizational politics and provide strategic advice, expertise and briefings on the status of ministry programs and initiatives. To anticipate and recognize sensitive political situations, to provide relevant information to senior decision makers and effectively engage stakeholders and actively represent the organization's interests in developing/recommending collaborative solutions.

Program Responsibility :

Responsible for providing strategic direction, and oversight of innovative solutions, business solutions/information technology planning and managing operational activities and services to effectively meet client needs; identifies and promotes new opportunities for business improvement and cost savings.

Responsible for the verification of business requirements, defining project scope and approach, and identifying business improvement opportunities. Responsible for developing communication strategies, including program recommendations, to mitigate any identified risks and manage any identified issues.

Responsible for advocating best practices in all facets of business solution development and delivery. Responsible for leading and providing oversight for the negotiation of service agreements between service providers and the stakeholders.

Responsible for leading and directing the determination of test parameters and test cases for development projects to test the quality of business solutions and to ensure they address critical client program business needs in accordance with standards, and protocols.

Analytical Thinking :

Conceptualizes a strategic planning framework and tactical business plan for the effective project management and delivery of project initiatives to support the ministry/ organization and external partners.

Interprets business and technical requests, research options and identifies best course of action from conflicting alternatives that would account for short and long term impacts of the proposed solution, as well as, accounting for other stakeholder's risks.

Maintains awareness of ministry service delivery needs, priorities, new technology advancements and government/ ministry directions and initiatives regarding information management (e.g. E-government) to resolve business related technical issues, provide input and direction on the definition and modification of technology support models/ processes and to ensure that information technology is used effectively in delivering program information and content.

Oversees the planning process gaps and concerns, and provides clear and constructive feedback for project planning and development purposes. Assesses progress of projects and initiatives, analyzes priorities and assesses risks to develop mitigation strategies that ensure the applicability, readiness, and robustness of solution options, to deliver effective solutions on time and on budget, and address changing or conflicting requirements.

Identifies trends and potential impact of emerging trends and issues impacting training programs, training strategies, delivery mechanisms, client based service delivery models and agreements, and training standards.

Assesses and determines the implications of a range of issues affecting project outcomes, and manages the resolution of various issues related to project implementation.

Integrates technical analysis and synthesizes information from multiple sources, evaluates complex policy and program planning, development, service delivery, data management, business intelligence analytics, workforce planning and training, stakeholder management, and governance factors and issues.

Planning / Coordinating :

Participates multi-year strategic business /program/service plans including the deployment of resources (human and financial) to deliver programs and services.

Plans and coordinates multiple deliverables with external and internal stakeholders, partners and consultants.

Directs the development of controls that provide a platform to the organization for further improvements and changes over time.

Coordinates and manages project planning processes for multiple projects and initiatives through the life cycle management. Manages the research from start through completion, including the oversight and assessment of research progress and the provision of authoritative guidance and resources at each phase.

Develops implementation frameworks and processes related to priority setting and critical program development and delivery linkages.

Leadership/Guidance :

Develops, builds and leads organizational capacity through positive and values based leadership, inclusive and engaged teams, and partnerships. Frames program vision and strategy for services, programs or operations.

Determines human resources and organizational needs for optimal performance and delivery of results and alignment with ministry objectives; leads talent management and succession planning; mentors employees; sets goals and performance standards.

Exercises managerial and strategic leadership accountability and authority in the areas of organizational design, recruitment and retention, talent management, labour relations and compensation related matters.

Independence of Action :

Reports to a senior level, Director or higher and works within broad parameters and the strategic ministry/branch mandate, legislation, and strategic goals and directions.

Exercises considerable independence and judgment in the development of program/service plans including delivery/implementation to meet client strategic business objectives and priorities and in the provision of advice and recommendations to senior management.

Provides a one window project planning, coordination and consultation service to support achievement of ministry/organization/external partners program mandates, and ensures that advisory services and guidance provided to organization/ministry management and staff reflects consistent and sound project and management principles and standards.

Manages expectations with diverse internal and external clients, business partners and service providers to ensure the development, implementation and acceptance of I&IT applications and metrics that satisfy requirements within available resources.

Designs program evaluation/review processes to assess and measure program outcomes and effectiveness, and develops, recommends and implements program and business changes that reflect best program practices that are evidence-based.

Sets long and short term priorities while reconciling changing demand for services with available staff and program capabilities, and maintaining the integrity of various programs.

Advises senior management on project planning and the mitigation of project risks/issues for successful project and planning outcomes. Contributes to management decisions in support of organization/ministry objectives.
Makes decisions in order to undertake a clear course of action to meet program delivery and policy goals.

Interpersonal/Communication :

Builds relationships, collaborates and consults with a broad range of internal and external partners, service providers and stakeholders to identify needs, for strategic project management consultation and planning, information sharing, and issues management purposes. Proactively identifies and resolves major problems and issues; provides authoritative advice, recommendations and support on transition and change activities.

Manages the development of communications products to support project and operational initiatives. Provides appropriate responses to audit results and recommendations.

Chairs or participates as an expert on senior-level corporate committees and work groups, related to the design, development, and evaluation of ministry programs and training, service delivery interests, and setting strategic priorities. Serves as primary liaison with ministry project management committees where members represent both ministry and stakeholder interests.

Provides strategic advice, discusses, briefs, and makes persuasive and authoritative recommendations to ministry senior management and executives on project management plans, proposals; issues resolution; project governance framework and process reengineering; and emerging trends, and resolution to stakeholder issues impacting delivery and effectiveness of program services.

Builds internal networks, linkages and partnerships and communicate with appropriate external stakeholders to develop commitment and acceptance of new business processes by applying logic and analysis of the issues. Interfaces with IM&IT cluster to develop the information architectural framework and systems processes required to support the delivery of programs and enhance organizational effectiveness.

Physical Effort :

Most of the time is spent in an office environment with frequent opportunity to move about. Occasionally, moves/lifts light objects, such as materials required in facilitation/training sessions.

Sensory Effort :

Requires visual attention and concentration (i.e. reading without interruption) to develop and examine operational and support plan details, project and deployment plans, and determine the efficacy of results and recommendations.

Requires concentrated effort during negotiations with clients for such purposes as negotiating to develop SLAs and other service agreements, and resolve contentious issues.

Working Conditions :

Work is performed in a typical office environment.