Executive Director, Strategic Initiatives and Continuous Improvement

Do you want to contribute to achieving Government’s goals and building a better quality of life for Saskatchewan people? Are you interested in leading a strong team that provides services and delivers outcomes to clients we serve? Do you enjoy working in an innovative, fast-paced, and challenging work environment?

If this sounds exciting, then we have an opportunity for you!

The Ministry of Social Services is looking for a values driven and strategic leader to truly create, build, improve, and leave their mark on a thriving organization. The role of Executive Director, Strategic Initiatives and Continuous Improvement, is integral in leading business improvement initiatives and projects for Saskatchewan’s income assistance programs.

The Income Assistance division partners with clients to provide for their basic needs as they work to become self-sufficient to the best of their abilities. Income Assistance is focused on building strong teams, strong services, and achieving strong outcomes while supporting clients to achieve their goals.

The Strategic Initiatives and Continuous Improvement Branch works closely with other divisional branches to provide research, analysis, design and implementation of income assistance programs and services. The branch focuses on improving client outcomes, ensuring consistency, and integrating projects across programs and ministries.

About the Role:

Reporting to the Assistant Deputy Minister, Income Assistance, you will be responsible for:

Leading strategic goal setting and planning, reporting and risk management, resource allocation, while ensuring alignment between services provided and the overall strategic direction of the organization;

Participating as a member of the Executive Leadership Team, with a focus on setting priorities on an ongoing basis and ensuring collaborative working relationships are maintained with key stakeholders in the organization;

Active member and provincial subject matter expert on assigned ministry and inter-ministry committees and joint initiatives; and

Leading opportunities and collaborative partnerships to improve outcomes that fit into and compliment strategic goals, as well as our client service philosophy.

The ideal candidate will be a resilient leader who demonstrates:

Progressive experience in linking strategy and operations, program and service design, framework and practices;

Superior communication, problem-solving, accountability, systems management skills, and a solid track record in initiating and supporting collaborative work and innovation solutions;

Knowledge of public sector budgeting, forecasting, accountability, and decision-making processes;

Understanding how to advance the strategic and corporate work of the organization and the goals of government overall;

Change agent with a proven track record in leading dynamic and diverse teams through provincial changes and times of uncertainty;

Ability to navigate and build strong relationships in a large, complex multi-enterprise environment;

Senior management experience that enables you to lead, direct and manage a diverse team of professionals;

Ability to think critically and view issues and challenges from multiple perspectives; and

Reputation for integrity and accountability, with a focus on service excellence.

Typically, the knowledge and skills required for this role are obtained through a degree in public administration, public policy, business administration, or a related discipline, or a combination of education with relevant work experience. However, the ministry understands that people can develop skills through a variety of learning environments and situations and is open to considering all candidates who can clearly demonstrate how their learning and experience meets our criteria.

If this role sounds like the opportunity you've been looking for to challenge yourself, make a difference in people's lives, and showcase your abilities - we would love to hear from you!