About Us

Building and maintaining our provincial highway infrastructure is no small job.

The Department of Public Works, Highway Programs Division supports Nova Scotia’s 23,000 kilometers of roads and highways, 4,100 bridges, and 9 provincial ferries. We inspire public confidence in the public passenger transportation service through education and enforcement of Acts and Regulations that pertain to all road users in our province.

The Executive Director, Highway Maintenance and Operations is accountable for the integrity, safety and capacity of the provincial highway system and the development and delivery of all highway programs for the Province of Nova Scotia.

About Our Opportunity

We’re recruiting for an Executive Director of Highway Maintenance and Operations to lead change, foster growth, and provide strategic direction for our provincial highway maintenance and operation programs. This is your opportunity to make high impact decisions; promoting the safe and effective highway infrastructure for the Province of Nova Scotia.

Primary Accountabilities

As the Executive Director for Highway Maintenance and Operations, you provide the strategic direction necessary to lead the development and implementation of Provincial highway operations and maintenance programs.

You direct the planning, management and distribution of the Department's operating and road maintenance budget; ensuring efficient and effective utilization of resources for roadway surface and bridge maintenance, snow and ice control, fleet management and provincial ferry operations. You oversee the administration of regulations and policies for road use, roadside development and road access.

You are pivotal in building relationships with key stakeholders across the Province. The work you lead directly contributes to the achievement of the Department's objectives and safety of the Provincial road network. This opportunity provides frequent communications with the Chief Engineer, Deputy Minister, the Minister and other senior government officials.

Qualifications and Experience

The successful candidate will have a university degree in Engineering, must be a professional engineer and be registered, or eligible to be registered, with the Association of Professional Engineers Nova Scotia (APENS).

Extensive management experience in the industry or a government organization responsible for planning, designing, constructing, maintaining and managing highways is required. The successful applicant will have a record of success in leadership, financial management, resource management, labour relations and be adept at issues management in an environment that deals with significant controversial matters.

You are an innovative thinker with very strong interpersonal skills and have an ability to identify opportunities to encourage greater integration of programs and activities. You make sound decisions within the framework of legislation, policies, contracts and agreements, budgets, and provincial priorities. You have proven experience managing financial and human resources, maintaining complex and multi-jurisdictional relationships, and leading strategy development and implementation. Experience resolving labour issues and grievances and leading strategy around labour negotiations will be considered an asset.

The Government of Nova Scotia has adopted the LEADS Leadership Framework. During the interview, candidates will be expected to express how they have demonstrated the key behaviours and capabilities required to effectively lead in a caring and inclusive environment. LEADS Domains includes Leads Self, Engage Others, Achieve Results, Develop Coalitions and Systems Transformation.

Please go to the following link for more information: LEADS (novascotia.ca).

We will assess the above qualifications and competencies using one or more of the following tools: written examination, standardized tests, oral presentations, interview(s), and reference checks.

Benefits

Based on the employment status and union agreement, the Government of Nova Scotia offers its employees a wide range of benefits such as a Defined Benefit Pension Plan, Health, Dental, Life Insurance, General illness, Short and Long Term Disability, Vacation and Employee and Family Assistance Programs. For information on all our Benefit program offerings, click here: Benefits for government employees.

Working Conditions

Your normal work week is 35 hours/week, 7 hours/day. You may be required to work overtime on occasion.

The majority of your work is conducted in a comfortable office environment with moderate travel required within and outside of the Province.

There is pressure to meet deadlines while juggling a diverse number of projects that require ongoing planning/revising. You must be able to manage stressful, complex situations and balance many different issues and considerations. Work is often subject to extensive scrutiny and criticism by the public and by the diverse communities served.

Additional Information

As part of the recruitment process, candidates may be required to deliver a presentation and complete a written correspondence exercise.

This position is in Halifax and the successful applicant will be expected to have the ability to travel within Nova Scotia as well as regionally and within Canada.

What We Offer

• Career Development where you have access to career guidance, tools, resources, and ongoing training for every stage of your career.
• Engaging workplace. Our Employees feel valued, respected, connected, and tuned in. We have forward-thinking policies and strategies.
• Countless Career Paths.