Director, Program Policy & Innovation

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

Job summary

Government of Alberta in Edmonton is recruiting a Director, Program Policy and Innovation to lead provincial disability policy and programs within ALSS. The role drives policy development, regulatory work, and complex projects, reporting to the Executive Director.

You will oversee multidisciplinary teams, engage stakeholders, and ensure alignment with legislation, budget, and strategic priorities, contributing to improving services for vulnerable Albertans.

Qualifications

• A university degree in public administration, business, social sciences, or a related field.
• A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience related to the role.
• Equivalency: 1 year of education for 1 year of experience; or 1 year of experience for 1 year of education.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for provincial disability policy and programs.
• Lead policy planning, legislative and regulatory development, and evaluation for FSCD and PDD programs.
• Direct preparation of decision documents, briefing notes, and cabinet materials.
• Lead cross-ministry and intergovernmental initiatives on disability policy and programming.
• Oversee secretariat support for advisory committees and councils.
• Build relationships with delivery partners and stakeholders to ensure policy alignment and program implementation.
• Ensure policy aligns with legislation and regulations and manage unit operations and budget oversight.

Education

University degree in public administration, business, social sciences, or related field

Job description

Job Information

Job Title: Director, Program Policy and Innovation

Job Requisition ID: 89036

Ministry: Assisted Living and Social Services

Location: Edmonton

Full or Part-Time: Full-time

Hours of Work: 36.25 hours per week

Permanent/Temporary/Wage: Permanent

Scope: Open

Closing Date: November 18, 2026

Classification: Senior Manager Zone 2 (M42Z2)

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 career opportunities.

Assisted Living and Social Services (ALSS) helps provide stability and security for vulnerable Albertans, including seniors, people with disabilities, low-income individuals and those facing homelessness, while also providing opportunities to foster independence and quality of life. This includes supporting the delivery of preventive programming and helping Albertans access disability services, homelessness supports, financial assistance and employment services, continuing care, seniors supports and other social-based programs.

Our culture of care is the foundation of everything we do, embracing every staff member and individual alike, and reflected in every action, interaction, and day-to-day experience. For more information please visit Assisted Living and Social Services webpage.

Role Responsibilities

The Disability Policy and Supports Branch provides leadership for provincial disability policy and programs. This role leads the Program Policy and Innovation unit, which supports the full lifecycle of policy and legislation development, provides expert advice on disability programming, and supports government-appointed advisory bodies.

Reporting to the Executive Director, Disability Policy and Supports, the Director, Program Policy and Innovation provides strategic leadership for a portfolio that supports large and complex provincial disability programs. The position leads professional teams responsible for policy and legislative development, strategic advice, complex projects, intergovernmental engagement, and secretariat support for government-appointed advisory bodies.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic policy advice, analysis and recommendations to executive leadership and the Minister on complex and politically sensitive disability-program issues.
• Lead policy planning, legislative and regulatory development, implementation planning, and evaluation for the Family Support for Children with Disabilities (FSCD) and Persons with Developmental Disabilities (PDD) programs.
• Direct the preparation of decision documents, briefing notes, correspondence, policy papers, cabinet and Treasury Board materials, key messages and other executive products.
• Lead complex, cross-ministry and cross-jurisdictional initiatives, including engagement with federal, provincial and territorial partners on disability policy and programming.
• Oversee secretariat support and strategic engagement for the Family Support for Children with Disabilities (FSCD) Provincial Parent Advisory Committee and the Premier's Council on the Status of Persons with Disabilities.
• Build effective relationships with delivery partners, advocacy organizations, families, service providers and internal partners to identify issues, manage risk and support consistent program implementation.
• Provide strategic support to the Statutory Director for Family Support for Children with Disabilities (FSCD) and Persons with Developmental Disabilities (PDD) programs and ensure policy aligns with applicable legislation and regulations.
• Lead unit operations, workforce planning, financial oversight, priority setting, staff development, issues management and coordination oversight, and continuous improvement while managing competing priorities and emerging issues.

The Job Description is provided for further details on this position.

Qualifications

A university degree in public administration, business, social sciences, or a related field and a minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience related to the role; or equivalent as described below.

Equivalency

Directly related education or experience considered on the basis of:

• 1 year of education for 1 year of experience; or
• 1 year of experience for 1 year of education.

Assets

• Background in disability policy, disability programs, or complex human-services programs.
• Knowledge of the Family Support for Children with Disabilities (FSCD) and Persons with Developmental Disabilities (PDD) legislative, regulatory and policy frameworks.
• Demonstrated ability to develop legislation, regulations, policy instruments and government decision documents.
• Proven ability to lead cross‑ministry, intergovernmental or multi‑stakeholder initiatives.
• Ability to brief and present to senior leaders.
• Familiarity with supporting statutory decision‑makers, advisory councils or ministerial committees.
• Strong political and financial acumen, including oversight of program funding and complex fiscal analysis.
• Advanced writing, briefing, facilitation, negotiation, consultation and presentation skills.
• Experience managing human and financial resources and leading organizational change.

Notes

Hours Of Work

• 36.25 hours per week (Full-time)
• 8:15am – 4:30pm, Monday to Friday

Location

Edmonton, AB

Term of Employment

Permanent, Full-time position

Applicant Requirements

Applicants are required to provide a cover letter summarizing information that clearly and concisely demonstrates how their qualifications meet the advertised requirements, including education, experience, and relevant examples of required competencies.

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

Any costs associated with obtaining the required documents/checks as noted or interview travel expenses, will be the responsibility of the candidate. Out-of-province applicants can obtain the required documents/checks from the province they currently reside in.

Links And Information On What We Have To Offer

• Working for the Alberta Public Service.
• Management Employee Pension Plan (MEPP).
• Alberta Public Service Benefit Information.
• Professional learning and development.
• Research Alberta Public Service Careers tool.
• 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 Elena Arefeva at [e-mail].