Director, Workforce Development

Government of Manitoba; Winnipeg; On-site; CAD 92,000 - 126,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Defined pension plan

Life insurance

Long-Term Disability Plan

Health benefits including extendede/d

Annual health spending account

Paid time-off & holidays

Job summary

Government of Manitoba’s Department of Education & Early Childhood Learning seeks a Director of Workforce Development. You will lead the Workforce Development Unit, oversee ECE regulation, and drive expansion initiatives in collaboration with post-secondary institutions and partners.

You will guide recruitment, retention, and recognition programs, while advising senior leaders on policy development and performance measures. Competitive benefits and pension support work-life balance.

Qualifications

• Management experience with post-secondary education in social science, finance, public administration or related field.
• Strategic leadership skills with experience coaching, managing employee performance, and cross-functional engagement.
• Experience designing and implementing policies and programs.
• Ability to innovate, solve problems and manage change.
• Strong political acumen with strategic advisory experience for senior leaders.
• Experience translating priorities into operational plans and KPIs.
• Excellent verbal and written communication.
• Strong financial acumen and budgeting knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Workforce Development Unit within the Policy & Planning Branch.
• Oversee the regulation of Early Childhood Educators in Manitoba and related certification decisions.
• Collaborate with partners, post-secondary institutions and sector stakeholders to design and deliver initiatives.
• Develop recruitment, retention and recognition initiatives for workforce expansion and enhancement.
• Provide submissions and attend appeals related to ECE certification decisions.

Skills

Strategic leadership

People management

Policy development

Change management

Political acumen

Strategic advising

Communication skills

Budgeting

Diversity & collaboration

Education

Post-secondary education in social science, finance, or public administration

Job description

Department of Education and Early Childhood Learning

Policy & Planning, Early Learning and Child Care

Advertisement Number: 45725

Salary(s): PCD $92,220.00 - $126,150.00 per year

Closing Date: October 26, 2026

The Manitoba government recognizes the importance of building an exemplary public service reflective of the citizens it serves, where diverse abilities, backgrounds, cultures, identities, languages and perspectives drives a high standard of service and innovation. The Manitoba government supports equitable employment practices and promotes representation of designated groups (women, Indigenous people, persons with disabilities, visible minorities).

Employment Equity is a factor in selection for this competition. Consideration will be given to Indigenous people and persons with disabilities.

An eligibility list may be established to fill similar regular and term positions and will remain in effect for up to 12 months. The eligibility list, if established, may be used to fill similar Director type positions, including those at the Professional Office (P10) classification.

Preference may be given to current employees of the Manitoba Public Service.

Introduction

The Department of Education & Early Childhood Learning is seeking a highly skilled and motivated candidate to fill the position of Director, Workforce Development within the Policy & Planning Branch of Early Learning & Child Care.

The Manitoba Government has a comprehensive benefit package which includes extended health care, health spending account, dental care, vision care, long term disability insurance, group life insurance, maternity/paternity leave, family related leave, and a defined pension plan (some pension plans allow for portability between the Civil Service Superannuation Board and employers).

Duties

As a member of the division’s management team, the Director is responsible to lead and manage the Workforce Development Unit, reporting to the Executive Director of the Policy and Planning Branch.

The Director is responsible for the oversight of the regulated profession of Early Childhood Educators in Manitoba. The Director is responsible for the design and delivery of workforce expansion and enhancement initiatives, including recruitment, retention, and recognition initiatives, working in collaboration with intra- and inter-governmental partners, post-secondary institutions and sector stakeholders. The Unit supports the Child Care Qualifications and Training Committee, a statutory body that reviews and provides recommendations to the Minister on Early Childhood Education programs, and prepares submissions and attends appeals at the Social Services Appeal Board on Early Childhood Educator certification decisions.

Why Work For Manitoba Government?

The Manitoba government values its employees, recognizing the important role that each person plays in delivering exceptional services, programs and support to the province. Your important contributions are recognized with a comprehensive package of benefits, including an attractive salary, pension plan, health and wellness benefits, and other supports to encourage work-life balance.

• Defined pension plan
• Life insurance coverage
• Long-Term Disability Plan
• Employer paid health care benefits including health, dental and vision
• Extended health care for services such as physiotherapy, chiropractor, massages, acupuncture and more
• Annual health spending account for eligible employees

Commitment to Health and Wellness

• Employee and Family Assistance Program
• Paid time-off including sick leave, wellness days and family related leave days
• Flexible work arrangements for eligible positions
• Generous vacation entitlements, increasing with years of service
• Parental, maternity, and adoptive leave options

Professional Growth & Development

We want our employees to thrive and grow, and are committing to investing in their development. We offer multiple avenues of support such as inhouse training, educational assistance and leadership development programs to help achieve these goals.

Organizational Culture and Values

The Manitoba government is committed to a work environment and culture that values and recognizes every employee. When we look at Manitoba’s Public Service, we see a reflection of Manitoba’s diversity. We come from differing educational, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds and work in a wide array of jobs across the province, we are all public servants.

Impact on Manitoba’s Future

By working for Manitoba’s Public Service, you have the unique opportunity to use your time to serve the land, communities, and the people of Manitoba. You can leave a lasting mark that will impact both current and future generations.

Qualifications

• Management experience with post-secondary education in social science, finance, public administration or related field.
• Strategic leadership skills with experience in coaching, managing employee performance, and in fostering diversity, collaboration and engagement across cross-functional teams.
• Experience providing leadership and direction in the design and implementation of policies and programs.
• Demonstrated ability to leverage opportunities for innovation, find creative solutions to issues, and successfully manage change.
• Strong political acumen, with experience providing strategic advice to senior leaders on complex and sensitive issues.
• Experience translating strategic priorities into clear operational and business plans, and experience with strategic performance management and measurement systems (e.g. Key Performance Indicators, Balanced Scorecards).
• Excellent verbal communication skills with the ability to effectively communicate complex information to all levels of the organization and to external stakeholders and the public.
• Effective written communication skills, including the ability to write politically sensitive and confidential materials for senior leaders and public facing documents.
• Strong financial acumen, with experience in budgeting and financial management. Knowledge of government's financial policies and processes may be considered an asset.
• Experience applying the principles of reconciliation to program operations and/or policy development.
• Knowledge of training and workforce development, particularly in respect of the early learning and child care sector.

Conditions of Employment

• Must be legally entitled to work in Canada
• Ability to work overtime as required
• Ability to provide and maintain a satisfactory Criminal Record Check

Applicants may request reasonable accommodation related to the materials or activities used throughout the selection process. Your cover letter, resumé and/or application must clearly indicate how you meet the qualifications.