Role Responsibilities

Reporting to the Director of Project Excellence, the Continuous Improvement Manager leads a team of professional staff accountable for a wide variety of continuous improvement programs, projects, and innovation initiatives within Infrastructure. As the Continuous Improvement Manager, you will play a key role in discovering innovative means to build capacity in the Ministry's business areas and manage the implementation of initiatives that minimize overlap and duplication in business processes and maximize cost savings and coordination of resources. 
Key outcome areas include the identification and implementation of improvement strategies for key business processes including the advancement of high priority Ministry strategies to build capacity in current and future project and program delivery. As a result, effective change management planning and execution will be critical to fostering commitment and ownership at all levels of the organization.
The position partners with key business process, operational, and executive leadership across the Ministry in planning for and developing methodologies to continuously improve business processes and/or calibrate inefficient processes.

Key responsibilities for the Manager, Continuous Improvement include but are not limited to:
 

• Effectively leading, supporting, and managing Continuous Improvement team resources to ensure delivery of coordinated operations and outcomes. This includes providing coaching and direction in applying strategies to analyze and identify opportunities for improvement and integration of business processes and workflows.
• Identifying and developing comprehensive, integrated, and coordinated business and workflow management processes to enable efficient and effective management of Continuous Improvement projects and programs. Ministry leadership, branch managers and “champions” are consulted with to identify opportunities for development of strategies to enhance and support Infrastructure’s continuous improvement culture. 
• Partnering with business process leaders, senior, and executive management to identify opportunities for continuous improvement of key Ministry business processes.
• Act as a key member of the Branch’s management team, providing support and recommendations to the Director and Executive Director and team members. 

The successful candidate will have:
 

• Creative problem solving with sound judgement and decision-making skills 
• Strong analytical, organizational and time management skills
• Demonstrated ability to network and develop and maintain productive and collaborative working relationships
• Exceptional verbal, written, listening, and interpersonal skills
• Ability to independently balance multiple and varied priorities

Please click on this link to view the job description for this position

APS Competencies

Competencies are behaviors that are essential to reach our goals in serving Albertans. We encourage you to have an in depth understanding of the competencies that are required for this opportunity and to be prepared to demonstrate them during the recruitment process.

This link will assist you with understanding competencies: https://www.alberta.ca/system/files/custom_downloaded_images/psc-alberta-public-service-competency-model.pdf.

The successful candidate will demonstrate the following competencies: 
 

• Systems Thinking: Takes a long-term view towards organization’s objectives and how to achieve them
• Creative Problem Solving: Engages the community and resources at hand to address issues
• Agility: Identifies and manages required change and the associated risks
• Drive for Results: Takes and delegates responsibility for outcomes
• Develop Networks: Leverages relationships to build input and perspective
• Build Collaborative Environments: Collaborates across functional areas and proactively addresses conflict
• Develop Self and Others: Plans according to career goals and regular development

Qualifications

Minimum recruitment standards outline the minimum education and experience required for appointment to a job classification. 

Refer to https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-minimum-recruitment-standards.

Required:
 

• University degree in a business or related discipline PLUS  6 or more years of project management and process improvement related experience is required.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams with a minimum of 2 years people management experience as a direct supervisor.
• Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification by an internationally reputable organization. Alternatively, Six Sigma Black Belt certification by an internationally reputable organization with a minimum of 5 years Black Belt experience running LSS projects internal to an organization.
• Exceptional change management and leadership skills and experience leading change initiatives.
• A minimum 6 years of combined leading, deploying, and coaching process improvement projects using Lean Six Sigma, and other business improvement principles.
• Ability to coach business improvement practitioners in using statistical data analysis, process improvement tools, facilitation, and change management.
• Proven ability to develop and sustain a positive, productive work environment, and to build consensus.

Equivalency: Related experience or education (e.g., related diploma) may be considered as an equivalency on a one-for-one basis.

Assets: 

• Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt certification.
• Change Management certification.
• In depth understanding of project management programs, processes, and techniques.
• Experience in consulting with senior managers and officials within the public sector.
• Ability to apply critical and strategic thinking, and research methodologies.

Notes

This position is a Permanent, Full – time role with the standard weekly work hours of 36.25, Monday to Friday (8:15 am – 4:30 pm).

Location: Edmonton, AB

Applicants are required to provide a cover letter and resume summarizing information that clearly and concisely demonstrates how their qualifications meet the advertised requirements, including education, experience, and relevant examples of required competencies.  

Any costs associated with obtaining the required documents/checks as noted or interview travel expenses, will be the responsibility of the candidate. Out-of-province applicants can obtain the required documents/checks from the province they currently reside in. 

Links and information on what the Government of Alberta has to offer to prospective employees:
 

• Working for the Alberta Public Service - https://www.alberta.ca/advantages-working-for-alberta-public-service.aspx.
• Management Employees Pension Plan (MEPP) - https://www.mepp.ca.
• Alberta Public Service Benefit Information - https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-benefits.
• Professional learning and development - https://www.alberta.ca/professional-development-support-directive.
• Research Alberta Public Service Careers tool – https://researchapscareers.alberta.ca.
• Positive workplace culture and work-life balance.
• Opportunity to participate in flexible work arrangements such as working from home up to two days per week and modified work schedule agreement.
• Leadership and mentorship programs.