Role Responsibilities

We are looking for an experienced leader that can effectively collaborate with industry and across governments, thoroughly understands government decision making processes, successfully executes complex projects and has exceptional political acumen skills.

Reporting to the Director of Defence Strategy and Integration, the Manager of Defence Strategic Initiatives manages a team responsible for the development, integration and execution of strategies and initiatives to support defence investment, economic growth and job creation in Alberta.

Responsibilities include:

• Lead defence strategy development and alignment activities.
• Develop networks and partnerships, to ensure strategic advice and perspective are integrated across GoA defence activities.
• Develop strategic, customized options for Government of Canada and private sector defence investments and priorities.
• Advance leadership, mentorship and employee development.

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.

• Systems Thinking – This role requires the ability to understand and operate across federal, provincial, and industry systems, with particular emphasis on Government of Canada decision-making structures. The Manager must be able to map how defence policy, procurement, and funding decisions flow through departments such as DND, PSPC, ISED, and central agencies, and identify where Alberta can intervene to influence outcomes.
• Creative Problem Solving - The Manager must be able to identify non-obvious entry points into federal processes, particularly in complex and opaque environments such as defence procurement and program design. This includes developing strategies to position Alberta-based opportunities within federal priorities, overcoming structural barriers, and advancing initiatives where formal pathways may not be clearly defined. Ability to anticipate federal constraints (policy, procurement, political) and design workable approaches around them is essential.
• Build Collaborative Environments – This role requires advanced relationship-building with senior federal officials, defence stakeholders, and industry leaders, particularly within the Ottawa ecosystem. The Manager must demonstrate the ability to establish credibility quickly with DND, CAF, and federal partners, and sustain relationships that enable access, influence, and coordination.
• Agility - The Manager must operate effectively in a rapidly evolving federal defence environment, where priorities shift due to political direction, budget cycles, procurement timelines, and geopolitical events. Requires the ability to adjust strategies in real time based on changes in federal direction, including shifts in DND priorities, Treasury Board decisions, or procurement timelines. Comfort operating with incomplete information and informal processes is essential.
• Drive for Results - The Manager must lead their team through a variety of initiatives to provide smart, strategic and timely advice and solutions for rapidly evolving and varied issues, while driving for solutions and demonstrating accountability.

Qualifications

University graduation in a field related to the position assignment, supplemented by four years related experience. 

Required / Strongly Preferred Experience:

• Direct experience working within or closely with the Government of Canada, preferably in Ottawa, with demonstrated exposure to federal decision-making processes, central agencies, and interdepartmental coordination.
• Experience engaging with or working within the Department of National Defence (DND), Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), or related federal defence organizations (e.g., DRDC, PSPC Defence Procurement, ISED ITB Policy).
• Demonstrated understanding of federal defence policy, procurement frameworks, and funding mechanisms, including familiarity with programs such as:
  • Defence Industrial Strategy (DIS)
  • Industrial and Technological Benefits (ITB) Policy
  • Major Crown Projects and defence procurement processes
• Proven ability to navigate federal stakeholders, influence decision-making, and advance initiatives within a complex Ottawa-based policy and procurement environment.

Core Competencies and Experience:

• Strong political acumen with a clear understanding of how decisions are shaped and advanced within the federal system, including Cabinet processes, Treasury Board submissions, and interdepartmental alignment.
• Experience leading or contributing to multi-stakeholder initiatives involving federal departments, industry, and provincial governments, particularly in defence, aerospace, or related sectors.
• Demonstrated project management experience, including leading initiatives with high ambiguity, multiple dependencies, and senior stakeholder visibility.
• Supervisory experience, with a track record of building and leading high-performing teams.
• Strong working knowledge of the Canadian defence ecosystem, including primes, SMEs, and government stakeholders.
• Excellent interpersonal, negotiation, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to operate effectively in politically sensitive and time-constrained environments.

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

We are recruiting one temporary (2 years) full-time position working 36.25 hours per week, Monday to Friday.

Work location is Ottawa.

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.

Links and information on what the GoA have 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.
• Leadership and mentorship programs.