Role Responsibilities

As the Manager of Strategic Policy, you will lead a high-performing team responsible for shaping and advancing the Ministry’s strategic policy direction, with a strong focus on Indigenous relations, intergovernmental collaboration, and cross-ministry initiatives. This role requires a seasoned leader with deep policy expertise, strong analytical capabilities, and a commitment to inclusive and strategic, forward-thinking public service.

Key Responsibilities of the Manager, Strategic Policy includes:

 Strategic Policy Development & Implementation

• Lead and coordinate strategic policy development aligned with the Ministry’s key priorities.
• Oversee the creation of policies related to Indigenous economic, social, and governance issues, ensuring alignment with government and Indigenous priorities.
• Provide leadership to a team of senior policy advisors and policy analysts, maintaining a high-performing work environment.
• Identify and respond to emerging trends, risks, and opportunities through policy analysis and strategic insights.
• Lead the coordination of policies for key Ministry initiatives, including Cabinet reports and related documents and promote collaboration across divisions and departments for senior officials including the Minister, DM, ADM, Executive Director, and Executive Council.
• Support other ministries in developing policy options that impact Indigenous peoples, governments, and organizations.
• Coordinate verbal and written briefings incorporating intergovernmental and international expertise.
• Lead or co-lead initiatives and cross-government responses to federal, provincial, and territorial policy developments, including legislation and declarations.
• Evaluate policy impact on Indigenous communities and ensure communications align with the sensitive nature of the Division’s messaging.

Intergovernmental & Stakeholder Relations

• Foster relationships with Indigenous communities, external organizations, and government counterparts, including the federal government, to gather input and support policy initiatives.
• Build and maintain strategic relationships with federal, provincial, and territorial governments to promote Alberta’s position on Indigenous policy.
• Collaborate with external research and community organizations to enhance understanding of Indigenous issues and priorities.
• Prepare or influence briefing materials for intergovernmental forums such as the Council of Federation, Western Premiers’ Conference, and meetings with National Indigenous Organization Leaders.

Policy Expertise & Systems Thinking

• Solid understanding of government processes, including the legislative process, regulatory process, and Cabinet reporting.
• In-depth knowledge of the policy cycle and experience leading teams or projects through its components.
• Apply in-depth knowledge of government processes, Indigenous priorities, treaties, and constitutional arrangements to influence policy development.
• Evaluate policy impact on Indigenous communities and ensure that communications and processes align with the sensitive nature of the Division's messaging

Role Responsibilities

Communication & Influence

• Communicate policy priorities and recommendations to diverse audiences, including senior officials within and outside the Ministry.
• Contribute to the ministry's strategic direction by monitoring emerging Indigenous policy trends, providing specialized recommendations, advice, and shaping decision-making.
• Well-developed and effective communication skills, including robust presentation skills for briefing senior officials.
• Ability to conceptualize and communicate innovative solutions, build consensus, manage conflict, consensus building, and networking.
• Translate business plans and Ministry priorities into operational strategies and ensure alignment across divisions.
• Develop and maintain close working relationships with Aboriginal Law (Justice and Solicitor General) and senior officials in Executive Council.

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.

Agility – ability to anticipate, assess and readily adapt to changing situations/environments.

Drive for Results – knowing what outcomes are important and maximizing resources to achieve results that are aligned with the goals of the organization while maintaining accountability to each other and external stakeholders.

Build Collaborative Environments – leading and contributing to the conditions and environments that allow people to work collaboratively and productively to achieve outcomes.

Develop Networks – proactively develop networks, connect and build trust in relationships with different stakeholders.

Systems Thinking– the ability to know how your work will impact others.

Creative Problem Solving – ability to assess options and implications, engage different perspectives and create strategic solutions for communications challenges.

Qualifications

Minimum Recruitment Standards

University graduation in Arts, Social Sciences, Business, Public Policy, Law or a related field plus 4 years progressively responsible related experience. Equivalencies may be considered as described below.

Equivalency: Directly related education or experience considered on the basis of: 

• 1 year of education for 1 year of experience; or 
• 1 year of experience for 1 year of education.

Required experience:

• Experience in policy development and analysis, such as a policy manager, analyst, advisor, or researcher
• Direct leadership/supervisory experience with leading a high preforming team

The following assets will be considered:

• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of Indigenous peoples, governance, culture, history, community dynamics and protocols.
• Established working relationships and/or networks with Indigenous communities and individuals that may include specialized training or lived experience.
• Experience in managing multiple tasks, delegation, and team coordination.

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

Notes

Hours of Work:

• 8:15 am to 4:30 pm
• 36.25 hours per week (full-time) Monday to Friday.

Term of Employment:

• Permanent

Location:

• Edmonton

Please note, for all work experience use the following date range format and indicate Full-Time and/or Part-time experience in your resume:

Ex. [Month, Year – Month, Year]- (PT and/or FT)

• Security screening is required.
• Final candidates will be required to undergo a security screening.
• 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.

• 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.
• Leadership and mentorship programs.