Director, Court Services

Government of Nova Scotia; Halifax; On-site; CAD 6,187,000 - 7,733,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension Plan

Health & Dental Insurance

Life Insurance

Disability Insurance

Vacation

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

The Government of Nova Scotia is seeking a Director, Court Services, to lead operation and program delivery across the province. You report to the Executive Director and help ensure strategic alignment of policies and activities within the Division.

In this role you will manage courthouses, drive service improvements, and maintain judicial independence while building strong relationships with the judiciary, legal community and stakeholders.

Qualifications

• University degree in law, public administration or business; equivalent combinations may be considered.
• Progressive senior management experience in the public service or justice system.
• Experience in finance, human resources, facilities, project management or policy development.
• Knowledge of legislation, regulatory development, and intergovernmental collaboration.
• Law degree and prior legal experience would be an asset.

Responsibilities

• Ensure cost-effective provision of court services and align with strategic goals.
• Motivate and direct staff; maintain relationships with staff, judiciary and stakeholders.
• Lead planning, service improvements and problem solving in the division.
• Oversee delivery of programs and services while respecting judicial independence.
• Build relationships with clients and stakeholders with divergent interests.
• Co-ordinate and review legislation, policy and program development.
• Lead provincial family and criminal law programs across the province.
• Manage externally funded programs under MOUs and report on activities.
• Participate in federal, provincial, territorial committees and task groups.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Stakeholder management

Policy development

Program management

Intergovernmental collaboration

Financial acumen

Regulatory understanding

Education

University degree in law/public administration/business

Job description

Competition # : 49836

Department: Justice

Location: HALIFAX

Type of Employment: Permanent

Union Status: Exclusion - Non Union - NSPG

Closing Date: 24-Sep-26 (Applications are accepted until 11:59 PM Atlantic Time)

About Us

The Court Services Division of the Nova Scotia Department of Justice is dedicated to excellent service and the provision of fair and accessible system of justice, including court administration and security.

The Division provides administrative support to the courts listed: Nova Scotia Court of Appeal, Supreme Court of Nova Scotia (including Family Division), Provincial Court, Family Court, Small Claims Court, Probate Court and Bankruptcy Court. The courts act independently from the government to address individual cases.

For more information on the Department of Justice Court Services please visit our website.

About Our Opportunity

As Director, Court Services, you report to the Executive Director and are a member of the Division’s Senior Management Team, which is accountable to ensure the Division’s policies, procedures and activities support its strategic goals. In this position, you are responsible for the overall operation and management of courthouses and program delivery across the province.

Primary Accountabilities

• Ensure the cost-effective provision of court services to a varied client base and help shape the corporate vision of the Division;
• Motivate and provide strategic and operational direction to staff, and maintain close working relationships with staff, senior government officials, the judiciary and the legal community;
• Create and maintain a team approach to planning, service improvements and problem solving in the Division;
• Lead the delivery of programs, services and support to the courts, while ensuring judicial independence is respected;
• Take the lead in developing and sustaining strong relationships with clients, and stakeholders with widely divergent interests;
• Co-ordinate, develop, implement, and review new or amended legislation, policy, procedure, and program development in all areas of court services;
• Responsible for family and/or criminal law matters and has specific responsibilities to lead delivery of provincial and court-based family and/or criminal law programs and services throughout the province;
• Manage Externally Funded Programs delivered under Memoranda of Understanding and report on activities.
• Participate in the Federal/Provincial/Territorial Committees, Sub-committees, and Task Groups.

Qualifications And Experience

To be considered for this opportunity, you hold a hold a university degree in an appropriate discipline, i.e. law, public administration, business administration, in addition to several years of progressive management experience at a senior level, in the public service or justice system. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

You also have experience in several of the following areas: finance, human resources, facilities, project management, program and service development and delivery, legislative and regulatory development, policy development, program evaluation, planning, and intergovernmental involvement. Furthermore, you are also highly motivated and achievement-oriented, can analyze and problem-solve effectively, and work collaboratively with others to achieve common goals.

A law degree and previous experience as a lawyer would be considered 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 behaviors and capabilities required to effectively lead in a caring and inclusive environment. LEADS Domains include Leads Self, Engage Others, Achieve Results, Develop Coalitions, and Systems Transformation.

Please follow LEADS 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.

Equivalency

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

Benefits

Based on the employment status, the Government of Nova Scotia offers its employees a wide range of benefits such as a Defined Benefit Pension Plan, Health, Dental, Life Insurance, General illness, Short and Long Term Disability, Vacation and Employee and Family Assistance Programs. For information on all our Benefit program offerings, click here: Benefits for government employees.

Working Conditions

• Normal work week is 35 hours/week, 7 hours/day
• Regular overtime work required
• Travel throughout, and occasionally outside, Province is required
• Will work under time pressure and with competing priorities
• Will work in a dynamic environment of varying complexity and in a constant state of change

Additional Information

This is a permanent position, based in Halifax, NS.

What We Offer

• Engaging workplace: our employees feel valued, respected, connected, and tuned in, we have forward-thinking policies and strategies
• Countless career paths
• A dynamic, client-focused office environment where service excellence and teamwork are our focus

Pay Grade

EC 15

Salary Range

$5,229.78 - $6,537.21 Bi-Weekly

Employment Equity Statement

Our goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative, at all job levels, of the citizens we serve. The Government of Nova Scotia has an Employment Equity Policy, and we welcome applications from Indigenous People, African Nova Scotians, Persons of African Descent, Racialized Persons, Persons with Disabilities, 2SLGBTQIA+ Persons and Women in occupations or positions where they are under-represented. If you are a member of one of these equity groups, you are encouraged to self-identify on your electronic application.

Accommodation Statement

We are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. Candidates may request accommodations based on any grounds protected by the Human Rights Act. If you require an accommodation throughout the recruitment process, please contact us at [e-mail].

Current government employees may access this posting through the link below:

PLEASE NOTE: Candidates will not be considered for an interview if applications are incomplete or are missing information.

If you are receiving a pension from the Nova Scotia Public Service Superannuation Plan (PSSP) or any related plans, you cannot receive pension payments while contributing to the same plan. If you accept a position that requires PSSP contributions, your pension payments must be stopped. Please contact the Nova Scotia Pension Services Corporation for more information.

Offer of employment is conditional upon the completion of all applicable background checks and confirmation of credentials, the results of which must be satisfactory to the employer. We thank all applicants for the interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. All questions and concerns may be directed to [e-mail].