Job Specification

Purpose :

To manage the planning, development, implementation, and evaluation of program delivery strategies and frameworks to support the delivery of mandated corporate/regional programs and services, and to lead and oversee related partnership development and stakeholder consultations processes.

To provide expertise and advice to senior management and staff on program delivery options, recommendations, risks, and issues management strategies.

Key Responsibilities :

1. Oversees and leads the development, implementation, and evaluation of program delivery strategies and methods, including development of guidelines and criteria, funding partnerships, resource allocation, performance frameworks, stakeholder capacity building, and implementation plans, and participates in the formulation of regional/provincial and bi-national goals, objectives, program initiatives, budget development and management plans.
2. Leads program and service delivery review/evaluation processes to assess and measure effectiveness and accountability, identify needs and gaps, ensure consistency with ministry/ government standards, best practices, and alignment and integration with strategic program directions, and program plans of other ministry divisions and branches. Leads the development of education/training strategies, delivery of training programs.

3. Provides advice and program planning and management expertise to senior ministry management on program decisions and directions, and on issues and risk analyses impacting achievement of government program commitments. Leads issues resolution, and develops communication strategies, including program recommendations, to mitigate any identified risk and manage and identified critical and emerging issues.
4. Leads projects to research, analyze, and develop business change management options/proposals and strategies to maximize the effectiveness of programs and service delivery. Plans and forecasts any resource requirements to implement changes to service delivery and to operationalize strategic directions and plans.
5. Manages and leads a multi-disciplinary project team(s) and oversees and coordinates the development and implementation of program and service initiatives to support ministry and/or regional business plans. Develops implementation frameworks and processes related to priority setting, project integration, and critical program delivery linkages, and establishes work plans and schedules to meet key delivery timelines and objectives.
6. Leads ministry, inter-ministry and inter-jurisdictional committees, forums, and working groups, to establish consensus on strategic program development, delivery, resource allocations and issues management. Leads development of innovative stakeholder partnerships that promote and foster best practice program design, development and delivery, and leads and manages stakeholder consultation processes. Works with Indigenous communities to ensure constitutional obligations are met and enhance resource management approaches.
7. Plans, develops and implements communications strategies, processes and guidelines, and establishes and leads a regional information network covering all program areas. Develops specifications and guidelines for information sharing and messaging within and outside the region.
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.




Theories and practices, program design/development processes and procedures, ministry service delivery models, government/ministry/ branch directions, mandate, legislation, and existing policy/ program frameworks, to manage the planning, development, implementation, and evaluation of projects, initiatives, and program delivery frameworks, to oversee program partnership development processes, and to ensure alignment with corporate goals and mandates.

Program evaluation methods, and change management principles, to lead the development of business and 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.

Government and ministry communications and issues management processes and methods, to provide critical identification and analysis of issues and stakeholder concerns potentially impacting the ministry/government program delivery and to provide strategic advice and recommendations to senior managers on issues mitigation.

Understanding of factors and issues impacting and influencing Indigenous communities/peoples. Understanding of the concepts, barriers and principles for engaging, consulting and building relationships with Indigenous partners, communities and organizations.

Program Responsibility :

Responsible for the planning, development, delivery, and evaluation of a range of corporate/regional programs and services, and for ensuring that program development and implementation reflect government standards and best practices, accountability, and alignment and integration with strategic policy/program directions. Participates in the formulation of regional goals, objectives, program initiatives, budget development and management plans.

Responsible for ensuring that ministry, divisional and/or operational performance measures and service standards are achieved, and for providing advice and expertise, including analysis and development of options, risk management approaches, and communication strategies, for senior ministry management regarding issues, stakeholder interests, and identified concerns that potentially impact program and service delivery.

Responsible for the development of capital infrastructure plans, and development and delivery of capital investment projects.

Responsible for effective fisheries management, including sustainable use of fish stocks, across the Great Lakes in conjunct with stakeholders, First Nations, and bi-national partners.
Responsible for developing partnerships with government and non-governmental agencies that promote and foster effective and efficient program delivery, review and evaluation.

Responsible for ensuring that employees are working in a safe manner and that they have all required training and equipment to ensure their safety. Champion a health and safety culture.

Analytical Thinking :

Analyzes critical program issues and risks with potential impacts for the ministry/government and stakeholders, and leads development of mitigation options, issues management, and communication.

Assesses and measures program effectiveness and accountability, identifies needs and gaps, ensures consistency with ministry/ government standards, best practices, and alignment and integration with strategic program directions.

Anticipates and identifies program and operational issues, and provides strategic and expert advice to senior executives on risks and mitigation, including communications strategies.

Researches and develops program frameworks, and any program funding models, partnership accountability agreements and program processes.

Analyzes and delivers complex assessment programs and integrates biological, social and economic considerations into resource allocation decisions.

Planning / Coordinating :

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

Coordinates and leads the planning and implementation of organizational development and complex change initiatives for the program, service, project or initiative.

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

Plans and manages delivery of programs and services within a regional/provincial/bi-national context, leads a multi-disciplinary project team, and coordinates program planning and evaluation processes in line with ministry goals and program mandate.


Develops implementation frameworks and processes related to priority setting, project integration, and critical program development and delivery linkages, and establishes team, project, and individual work plans and project schedules to meet key delivery timelines and objectives.

Leads and coordinates strategic program planning, the review of program directions, and the evaluation of evidence based program outcomes relative to ministry goals and program mandate.

Plans and manages program consultation processes with program stakeholders in relevant sectors, and jurisdictions, and ensures the integration of stakeholder interests in program development and review. Designs consultation processes with stakeholders, including meeting Ontario's constitutional obligations to Indigenous communities.

Coordinates the review, investigation, and resolution of critical program issues which impact the achievement of the mandate of the branch/ministry.

Coordinates planning, consultation, and implementation processes related to strategic organizational development and change management initiatives.

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 government and ministry strategic business objectives and priorities and in the provision of advice and recommendations to Senior Management, which is considered authoritative, and informs policy and program decisions.

Sets long and short term unit/regional/provincial services priorities, and ensures effective program and service delivery, while reconciling changing demand for services with available staff and program capabilities, and maintaining the integrity of various programs.

Plans and manages program delivery and implementation processes, in order to meet government/ministry strategic business goals and objectives.

Negotiates Ontario's positions regarding resource allocations and management in conjunction with bi-national processes on the Great Lakes.

Provides advice and expertise to senior management on issues identified as impacting ministry service delivery and program directions, and the position proposes mitigation strategies and communication approaches to address identified risks.

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

Interpersonal/Communication :

Advises ministry senior management and executives on operational policy/ program area plans, proposals, and issues resolution program proposals, and discusses, briefs, and makes persuasive recommendations.

Builds key horizontal relationships and leads and manages partnership negotiations and consultation processes, with a view to developing and fostering key linkages across the OPS and with other sector stakeholders, and identifying program delivery issues and priorities.

Chairs or participates on senior level corporate committees, work groups, special projects and initiatives, related to design, development, and evaluation of ministry programs.

Builds relationships and negotiates with Indigenous partners on matters with conflicting interests.

Physical Effort :

The majority of time is typically spent in an office environment with frequent opportunity to move about. Occasionally, moves/lifts light objects such as training materials required for presentations.

Sensory Effort :

The work requires visual attention and concentration (i.e. reading without interruption) to plan, lead and manage program development and implementation to meet strategic objectives and timelines for delivery; to review detailed program evaluation outcomes; and to give direction to team members. Concentrated effort is also required to listen to feedback, and to ensure issues and information has been understood and communicated.

Working Conditions :

Work is performed in a typical office environment. Frequent travel across the province.