Manager, Strategic Workforce Issues

Responsibilities

Reporting to the Director, Labour Policy, this position manages the implementation of strategic workforce initiatives, with primary responsibility for Alberta's workfoce response to shifting global trade conditions and other priority projects assigned by the Director. The Manager translates policy direction and federal agreement frameworks into operational programs, coordinating across policy advisors, intergovernmental relations specialists, program delivery teams, and stakeholders to ensure successful execution.

This role serves as the implementation lead who ensures alignment between what policy advisors design, what the intergovernmental relations team negotiates, what stakeholders require, and what program teams deliver.

The position exists to provide dedicated project management and coordination capacity for major workforce initiatives that require sustained attention to implementation details, stakeholder relationship management, problem resolution, and progress monitoring.

Responsibilities include

• Manage implementation of Alberta’s Workforce Tariff Response by coordinating cross-functional teams, stakeholder engagement, program delivery activities, and performance monitoring.
• Monitor implementation timelines, resolve issues, and maintain alignment across policy, communications, and delivery teams.
• Support implementation of federal funding agreements by coordinating delivery activities, monitoring compliance requirements, and preparing implementation status reports.
• Ensure alignment with negotiated agreement terms and escalate risks, compliance concerns, or operational issues as required.
• Monitor implementation of new workforce initiatives by translating policy direction into operational plans and coordinating delivery across teams.
• Track early implementation results and recommend program adjustments based on performance indicators and operational feedback.
• Lead stakeholder engagement and partnership development through consultation strategies, relationship management, and presentations to internal and external audiences.
• Build collaborative relationships with industry, employers, training providers, and community organizations to support workforce initiatives.
• Manage project planning and implementation by developing workplans, governance structures, timelines, risk mitigation strategies, and reporting processes.
• Monitor project progress, resolve implementation challenges, and ensure compliance with accountability and funding requirements.

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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

• The Manager integrates competing priorities across policy, intergovernmental relations, and program delivery to ensure implementation decisions account for the full system of stakeholder expectations, federal requirements, and operational realities.

Creative Problem Solving

• The Manager navigates ambiguous implementation challenges without established precedents, developing practical solutions that balance policy intent, stakeholder expectations, federal agreement requirements, and operational constraints.

Agility

• The Manager responds to rapidly shifting political and operational priorities, adjusting coordination and implementation strategies for high-profile workforce initiatives under compressed timelines and public scrutiny.

Develop Networks

• The Manager cultivates and sustains relationships with industry associations, employers, training providers, federal partners, and community organizations to maintain stakeholder support and advance Alberta's workforce development agenda.

Qualifications

University graduation in Public Administration, Economics, or other related field plus 4 years progressively responsible related experience. Related experience or education may be considered as an equivalency on a one for one basis. A Master's degree in a related field is considered an asset.

Skills required for this role

• Minimum 2 years of experience leading or coordinating complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives with competing priorities and compressed timelines.
• Knowledge of labour market policy, workforce development programming, and federal-provincial funding arrangements is a strong asset.
• Experience preparing and presenting briefing materials, options papers, and recommendations for senior government audiences at the ADM or DM level.
• Demonstrated project management skills including developing workplans, identifying and mitigating risks, and monitoring progress against deliverables.
• Proven ability to exercise sound judgment in distinguishing issues appropriate for independent resolution from those requiring escalation to senior leadership.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including experience drafting briefing notes, ministerial correspondence, and stakeholder communications in a government context.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint).

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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