New Job Program Manager, Digital Health Strategic Initiatives In Nova Scotia

About Us

The Department of Health and Wellness offers opportunities to grow and advance in a dynamic sector that touches the lives of all Nova Scotians. We need leaders at all levels of the organization who embrace a challenge and believe in their ability to make a difference for Nova Scotians.

Along with our partners, including Nova Scotia Health and the IWK Health Centre, we’re committed to continually improving our health care system. With a focus on collaborative primary health care, continuing care, improved supports for mental health and addictions, digital health, capital infrastructure, and more, the department is thinking differently about how to plan, fund, legislate and monitor to improve access and service delivery.

About Our Opportunity

Do you want to be a part of transforming the way we provide health information to our citizens and to health care providers across the system? We’re looking for someone who is interested in leading project teams and subject matter experts to solve problems at the intersection of health program areas and Information technology. If that sounds like you, then we want to meet you.

The Program Manager for Digital Health Strategic Initiatives is responsible to drive critical activities for the Health Information, Performance and Planning division. You will work closely with peers and cross-functional leaders to initiate, plan, and deliver emerging digital health initiatives. You will also drive project management best practices, and advocate appropriate approaches to change management, risk management, and benefits realization.

Reporting to the Director of Digital Health Programs, you will lead a team of project managers and subject matter experts to collaborate within the Department of Health and Wellness, the Nova Scotia Health Authority, IWK Health Centre and the Department of Cybersecurity and Digital Solutions to strengthen relationships and to encourage creative approaches.

This is a period of significant transformation for our health system, with a complex roadmap of Digital Health initiatives. This position has the opportunity, working with key vendors, business and technology partners to influence outcomes of key projects, and to ensure maximum benefits from ongoing project investments, consistent with departmental priorities.

Primary Accountabilities

The key accountabilities of the Program Manager, Digital Health Strategic Initiatives include to:

• Manage planning and delivery of a portfolio of complex projects that support the improvement of digital health system capabilities for Nova Scotians, bridging community providers, pharmacists, public health and other systems.
• Collaborate with peers and consultant resources to incubate projects through concept and early planning stages, and to monitor project outcomes.
• Mentor, coach, and manage staff, including project managers and portfolio resources (full-time and consultants) to deliver project deliverables and ensure that appropriate project management best practices are followed.
• Critically assess current delivery systems and procedures and encourage continuous improvement.
• Communicate clearly project opportunities, plans and status to senior management teams within the Department and across the health sector to build buy-in for process transformation and system functionality.
• Serve as a ‘connector’ and enabler for digital health initiatives in other departments, ensuring that the right people are involved for end-to-end planning and execution of key initiatives.
• Manage day to day relationships with various cross-jurisdictional representatives for strategic pan-Canadian initiatives.

Qualifications and Experience

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline (computer science, business administration or policy) plus a minimum of five years of experience in program management and/or leading a project office.

You bring positive energy to motivate diverse teams of internal / external business and technical resources. This position requires competencies in the management of people which must be demonstrated through formal experience in the management of staff or progressive experience leading project or program teams.

To be successful in this role, you bring experience managing multiple projects or portfolios concurrently and influencing projects managed by others. Must have experience in complex project management, including change management, stakeholder analysis, issue and risk management and budget management.

You are recognized for your outstanding personal and professional credibility and bring a track record of strong relationship building with internal and external stakeholders, including technology partners. Demonstrated problem solving, facilitation and decision-making skills are essential. You enjoy collaborating across functions and organizations, and you can create a path forward, despite differences of opinion.

Must possess superior verbal and written communication skills with the ability to interact effectively and equally with business and technical experts at all levels of government as well as external consultants and vendors.

A Program Management Professional (PgMP) or Project Management Professional (PMP) designation or Masters Certificate in Project Management will be considered an asset.

Experience in digital health systems is ideal, but experience in other technical project management environments is an asset. Increasingly, our projects are focused on data integration across multiple systems, as well as appropriate access for patients, and health care providers. More agile delivery methods and user-centric product design are key priorities.

Experience in negotiations with external vendors is an asset.

The Government of Nova Scotia has adopted the LEADS Leadership Framework. During the interview, candidates will be expected to express how they have demonstrated the key behaviours and capabilities required to effectively lead in a caring and inclusive environment. LEADS Domains includes Leads Self, Engage Others, Achieve Results, Develop Coalitions and Systems Transformation. Please follow LEADS (novascotia.ca) for more information.

We will assess the above qualifications and competencies using one or more of the following tools: written examination, standardized tests, oral presentations, interview(s), and reference checks.

We recognize that not everyone will meet ALL of the requirements – Please consider applying regardless, and tell us why you’re the right candidate for the role.

Equivalency

An equivalent combination of training, education and experience will be considered. Equivalencies include, but are not limited to:

• Related Master’s degree and four years of related senior project or program management work experience, OR
• Related Diploma and eight years of senior project or program management work experience

Applicants relying on education and experience equivalencies must demonstrate such equivalencies in their application.

Benefits

The Government of Nova Scotia offers its employees a wide range of benefits such as Health, Dental, Life Insurance, Pension, General Illness (Short and Long Term), Vacation and Employee and Family Assistance Programs. Click here to learn more about our various benefits offerings and eligibility criteria.

Additional Information

Hybrid work environment. Employees are expected to be in our downtown Halifax offices several days a week.

What We Offer

• Career Development where you have access to career guidance, tools, resources, and ongoing training for every stage of your career.
• Engaging workplace. Our Employees feel valued, respected, connected, and tuned in. We have forward-thinking policies and strategies.
• Countless Career Paths.
• Department Specific Flexible working schedules.