Regional Manager

Are you a dynamic leader who can inspire staff to deliver results in a fast-paced environment? Do possess the passion to grow Ontario's economy and help businesses and rural regions prosper?

If so, consider this opportunity with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs with the Economic Development Division, Business Development Branch. As Regional Manager of the Eastern and Northern Regions, you will play a pivotal role in supporting the development and growth of rural Ontario communities and agricultural and food processing businesses through the delivery of leading edge tools, resources, programs and advisory services.

Please note: This position can be based at an OMAFRA office in either Brighton, Kemptville or Verner. Regular travel will be required throughout Eastern and Northern Ontario as needed. The Eastern region includes offices in Brighton, Kemptville, Lindsay and Midhurst. The Northern region includes a regional office in Verner, and remote staff located across the entire northern region .

About Us:
The Business Development Branch (BDB) supports economic growth across Ontario's agri-food value chain by helping rural communities, organizations, producers and businesses to prosper. The branch provides information, resources and programming, and facilitates direct business connections with buyers, suppliers, and/or investors. These supports help to increase sector resiliency and competitiveness, navigate operational and export barriers, and boost trade. The branch consists of six units: Trade and Investment, Business Analysis and Resources, Client Services, Operations Support, and two Advisory Services units focused on supporting small and medium sized food processing businesses (SMEs), producers and rural municipalities.

What can I expect to do in this role?

Reporting to the Director, Business Development Branch, you will:

• Provide leadership, guidance and coaching to a team of professional staff across multiple regions
• Oversee the marketing and delivery of informational resources to agriculture and food processing businesses and rural clients
• Build strategic alliances with industry stakeholders, municipalities and other government partners to promote sustainable economic growth and productivity across the agri-food value chain in rural Ontario communities
• Provide expert advice and guidance to senior management on rural economic development issues and challenges impacting small and medium sized businesses within the agriculture and food processing sectors
• Create seamless work relations with other units/branches and help implement high level initiatives at the assigned regional level
• Oversee the team's financial and human resources activities

How do I qualify?

Leadership and Management Skills:

• You have leadership skills to inspire, engage, motivate, develop and mentor remote, regional staff in achieving results on high-profile initiatives
• You have experience fostering an environment of high performance, learning, growth and continuous improvement
• You have experience leading the development and delivery of programs and/or services
• You have experience leading human resources and organizational change initiatives

Strategic and Operational Planning Skills:

• You have experience establishing strategic objectives and work plans to meet current and future priorities
• You have experience managing projects, effectively utilizing resources and prioritizing tasks to deliver results
• You have experience in managing and driving transformational change, addressing opportunities for continuous improvement and operational efficiency

Program and Service Delivery Expertise:

• You have up-to-date knowledge of rural Ontario and its economic correlation to the agriculture and food processing sectors
• You have knowledge of rural economic development programs, tools and resources
• You have knowledge, experience and/or education in field of business to assist in advising staff or clients
• You are experienced in program design, development and evaluation methods to oversee the analysis and evaluation of program effectiveness and service delivery
• You exercise a high level of political acuity and judgement when developing and providing advice for confidential/sensitive issues

Communication and Relationship Management Skills:

• You have experience building and maintaining effective working relationships with stakeholders, partners and clients
• You can assert influence to gain client support, cooperation and participation on ministry initiatives
• You are able to apply political acuity in the management of complex, sensitive and high-profile issues
• You coach, develop and motivate staff members, including remote teams

All external applicants (including former employees of the Ontario Public Service) applying to a competition in a ministry or Commission public body must disclose (either in the cover letter or resume) previous employment with the Ontario Public Service. Disclosure must include positions held, dates of employment and any active restrictions as applicable from being rehired by the Ontario Public Service. Active restrictions can include time and/or ministry-specific restrictions currently in force, and may preclude a former employee from being offered a position with the Ontario Public Service for a specific time period (e.g. one year), or from being offered a position with a specific ministry (either for a pre-determined time period or indefinitely). The circumstances around an employee's exit will be considered prior to an offer of employment.

Remember: The deadline to apply is Monday, October 28, 2019 11:59 pm EDT. Late applications will not be accepted.

We thank you for your interest. Only those selected for further screening or an interview will be contacted.