Director, Business Services

Government of Alberta; Edmonton; On-site; CAD 134,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Positive workplace culture

Work-life balance

Job summary

Government of Alberta in Edmonton seeks a Director, Business Services to lead financial operations, contract and grant management, and accommodation-related services for the Ministry of Education and Childcare.

Reporting to the Executive Director, this role ensures alignment with ministry priorities, legislative requirements, and client needs, providing strategic leadership across corporate services and stakeholders.

Qualifications

• University graduation with seven years of progressively responsible experience.
• Equivalency considered on a one-for-one basis.
• Experience leading financial operations and applying sound financial management practices.
• Experience leading contracting and granting processes, including policy development and negotiations.

Responsibilities

• Lead branch operations delivering financial programs and business services.
• Direct development and improvement of financial policies, controls, and processes.
• Provide strategic leadership for contracting and granting policies and approvals.
• Oversee accommodation planning, facilities management, and major projects.
• Develop and evaluate branch operational plans and drive continuous improvement.
• Build collaborative relationships with ministry leaders and external stakeholders.

Skills

Financial operations

Contract management

Grant management

Stakeholder relations

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

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Job Information
Job Title: Director, Business Services
Job Requisition ID: 87720
Ministry: Education and Childcare
Location: Edmonton
Full or Part-Time: Full Time
Hours of Work: 36.25 hours per week
Permanent/Temporary/Wage: Permanent
Scope: Open Competition
Closing Date: October 8, 2026
Classification: Senior Manager Zone 2
Salary: $5,139.30 to $6,526.16 bi-weekly ($134,135- $170,332/year)
The Alberta Public Service works to build a stronger province for current and future generations. We make a difference in the lives of Albertans through rewarding and diverse career opportunities.

The Finance, Governance and Capital Policy unit is part of the Financial Services and Capital Planning Division within the Ministry of Education and Childcare, Government of Alberta. The unit supports effective financial governance, capital planning, policy coordination, and administrative processes that help advance priorities for Alberta’s education system.

Reporting to the Executive Director, Finance, Governance and Capital Policy, the Director, Business Services leads the delivery of financial operations, contract and grant management, and accommodation-related services for the Ministry of Education and Childcare. This position provides strategic leadership to ensure business services are aligned with ministry priorities, legislative and policy requirements, and the needs of clients and stakeholders.

The Director is accountable for leading a broad range of corporate business services that support effective ministry operations.

The Key responsibilities for the role include:

• Financial and business services: Lead branch operations that deliver financial programs and business services, including bank account management, revenue administration, accounts payable processing, contract management, grant management, accommodations, and facilities management.
• Financial policies and controls: Direct the development, implementation, and continual improvement of financial policies, controls, and processes to ensure compliance with legislation, directives, department policy, and best practices.
• Contract and grant management: Provide strategic leadership for contracting and granting policies, processes, reviews, negotiations, and approvals to ensure they are effective, transparent, and aligned with ministry and government priorities.
• Accommodation and facilities management: Oversee accommodation planning, facility management, and major accommodation projects to support safe, effective, and efficient day-to-day ministry operations.
• Branch planning and leadership: Develop, implement, and evaluate branch operational plans while contributing to division-level planning, strategies, initiatives, and continuous improvement.
• Stakeholder relationships and representation: Build collaborative relationships with ministry leaders, other departments, external stakeholders, and cross-government committees to provide advice, resolve issues, support decision-making, and represent ministry interests.

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.

• Creative Problem Solving: Identifies innovative and practical solutions to complex financial, business service, contract, grant, and accommodation issues by bringing the right people together and encouraging new approaches.
• Drive for Results: Anticipates challenges, removes barriers, and delivers outcomes that support ministry priorities, sound financial stewardship, and effective business operations.
• Build Collaborative Environments: Works with a broad range of internal and external stakeholders to build relationships, resolve issues, support decision-making, and achieve shared outcomes across the ministry and government.
• Develop Self and Others: Supports a learning-focused team environment by encouraging staff development, adapting to emerging tools and processes, and helping team members build the skills needed to succeed.

Qualifications

University graduation in a field related to the position assignment, supplemented by seven years of progressively responsible experience.

Related experience or education may be considered as an equivalency on a one-for-one basis.

Required Skills

• Experience leading financial operations and applying sound financial management practices, including revenue administration, accounts payable, bank account management, and financial controls.
• Ability to interpret and apply financial legislation, directives, policies, procedures, and best practices to support effective decision-making and ensure compliance.
• Experience leading or overseeing contracting and granting processes, including policy development, review processes, negotiations, approvals, and ongoing management.
• Ability to lead branch operations, develop operational plans, manage priorities, and align services with ministry and government business objectives.
• Strong consultation, relationship-building, communication, and issue-resolution skills to work effectively with senior leaders, clients, partners, and cross-government stakeholders.

Assets

• A Chartered Professional Accountant designation in good standing is considered an asset.
• Knowledge of, and experience applying, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in a public sector or large organizational environment is considered an asset.
• Experience with accommodation planning, facility management, or major accommodation projects is considered an asset.
• Experience supporting executive or senior-level committees, including preparing materials, providing advice, and supporting informed recommendations, is considered an asset.
• Experience improving business processes or using emerging tools and technology to enhance financial, business, or corporate services is considered an asset.

We are currently hiring for one full time, permanent position. Work hours are Monday to Friday, 8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (36.25 hours/week).

A cover letter is required. Applications without a cover letter may not be considered.

Final candidates will be required to undergo a criminal records check (CRC).

Applicants being considered for this position will be required to complete a Level 2 Enhanced Security screening (including an enhanced criminal record check along with a credit check) as part of the pre-employment checks for this position.

Links and information on what we have to offer:

• Positive workplace culture and work-life balance.

Closing Statement

This competition may be used to fill future vacancies, across the Government of Alberta, at the same or lower classification level.

We thank all applicants for their interest. All applications will be reviewed to determine which candidates' qualifications most closely match the advertised requirements.

If you require any further information on this job posting or require an accommodation during the recruitment process, please contact Liliane Kararaat [e-mail] .