Business Operations Partner

Responsibilities

Reporting to the Manager, Business Operations, the Business Operation Partner represents the Minister and the Ministry in the field, providing senior school authority representatives with critical and timely information regarding Ministry initiatives and programs.

As a Business Operations Partner, you will serve as a trusted advisor to an assigned portfolio of school authorities, providing specialized expertise on business operations, governance requirements, interpretation of legislation, and application of provincial policies. Senior representatives, including secretary-treasurers and superintendents, depend on your guidance to support strategic planning, regulatory compliance, and effective delivery of education programs.

This role is ideal for someone who excels at complex issue analysis, relationship‑building, legislative interpretation, and cross-sector collaboration. You will represent the Ministry in the field, lead provincial initiatives, and support decision‑making at senior levels across the education sector.

This position is accountable for delivering the responsibilities listed below:

• Provide expert advice to school authorities on the application of legislation, regulations, policies, and guidelines related to business operations, governance, and school board elections.
• Lead the review and approval processes for school board capital borrowing, including developing templates, thresholds, and guidance materials for school authorities.
• Oversee processes related to property dispositions, boundary changes, and establishment or alteration of school jurisdictions, ensuring compliance with the Education Act and related regulations.
• Serve as the Ministry’s primary contact for matters such as separate school district establishment, trustee election administration, and inquiries under multiple Acts.
• Lead or participate in provincial working groups and committees, including those related to accreditation of independent schools, charter school reviews, and electoral boundary updates.
• Support school authorities in matters of board structure and governance, including investigations, Ministerial Reviews, and recommendations to ensure compliance with legislation.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with school authorities and sector partners to facilitate business intelligence sharing, capacity development, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Develop and deliver training, resources, and presentations to enhance stakeholder understanding of legislation, policies, and best practices.
• Prepare briefing notes, correspondence, and analysis for senior Ministry officials, ensuring timely and well‑supported recommendations.

Please click on this

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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

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• Systems Thinking:

Considers the broader context and long‑term impacts of decisions to ensure alignment with organizational goals and system-wide outcomes,

Integrates diverse perspectives to anticipate implications and support sustainable, well‑informed solutions.

• Creative Problem Solving:

Analyzes issues to identify root causes and generate practical, innovative options that strengthen outcomes and draws on available resources and perspectives to develop effective approaches to complex challenges.

• Agility:

Adapts to shifting priorities and changing circumstances while maintaining focus on achieving desired results, navigates uncertainty proactively, helping others understand impacts and progress through change confidently.

• Drive for Results:

Takes ownership of achieving high‑quality outcomes and uses time and resources efficiently to meet expectations. demonstrates commitment to delivering results that advance organizational objectives and contribute to public service outcomes.

• Develop Networks:

Builds strong, respectful relationships that enhance collaboration and support effective information sharing. ensures varied perspectives are understood and represented, enabling better decisions and stronger organizational outcomes.

Qualifications

University graduation in a related field plus 4 years progressively responsible related experience; or equivalent 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 interpreting and applying legislation, regulations, and policy frameworks.
• Experience working with complex stakeholder groups, governance structures, or public‑sector operational frameworks.
• Strong analytical, communication, and relationship‑management skills.

Assets

• Knowledge of the Education Act, Funding Manual for School Authorities, and related regulations.
• Experience in education sector operations, school authority governance, or public administration.
• Experience facilitating consultations, training sessions, or multi‑stakeholder committees.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, work with minimal supervision, and adapt to rapidly changing issues.

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

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