Manager, Program Innovation

Government of Alberta; Edmonton; Hybrid; CAD 102,000 - 138,000; Full time

Job summary

Government of Alberta, Assisted Living and Social Services, Edmonton, is seeking a Manager, Program Innovation to lead policy analysis and innovation initiatives within disability programs and services. The role focuses on research, regulatory review, and cross-ministry collaboration to advance policy priorities and program improvements.

You will oversee a team of policy analysts, translate complex research into actionable recommendations, and support senior leadership with strategic policy

Qualifications

• Experience developing, implementing or evaluating social, disability or human-services policies, programs, legislation or regulations.
• Knowledge of disability programs (PDD/FSCD) and disability policy issues.
• Experience preparing decision-making materials, briefings, policy options and recommendations for senior executives.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex cross-functional projects.
• Formal education or certification in public policy/public administration/project management.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex policy and research analysis related to disability programs and supports.
• Provide strategic policy advice to senior leadership with research and trend analysis.
• Support development of program, operational, legislative and regulatory policy with clear options and recommendations.
• Build relationships with service partners and ministries to support policy development.
• Monitor legislative and policy developments to identify emerging issues and considerations.
• Prepare materials for senior leadership and government committees with briefing and analysis.
• Provide leadership across the ministry to develop coordinated policy responses.
• Lead a team of policy professionals and foster a high-performing workplace.

Skills

Policy analysis

Disability policy

Cross-functional collaboration

Policy options

Strategic leadership

Education

University graduation in a related field

Formal education in public policy/ public administration/ project management

Job description

Job Information
Job Title: Manager, Program Innovation
Job Requisition ID: 87819
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: Temporary
Scope: Open Competition
Closing Date: October 20, 2026
Classification: Management Manager Zone 2
Salary: $3,920.66 to $5,276.07 bi-weekly ( $102,329 to $137,705/year)
Assisted Living and Social Services provides support for seniors, families, and communities, and help Albertans access disability services, financial support, services for the homeless, Continuing Care and other social-based programs. The Ministry supports Albertans through a person-centered, integrated service delivery model that recognizes the unique circumstances, experiences and strengths of individuals and families.
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 about Assisted Living and Social Services, visit our website: For more information about Assisted Living and Social Services, visit our website: https://www.alberta.ca/assisted-living-and-social-services

Role Responsibilities

The Disability Services Division supports the delivery and continuous improvement of the Persons with Developmental Disabilities (PDD) and Family Support for Children with Disabilities (FSCD) programs. These programs provide coordinated supports and services that enable Albertans with disabilities and their families to participate in their communities, strengthen social inclusion and pursue greater independence.

The Disability Policy Branch works collaboratively with divisions across Community and Social Services, other Government of Alberta ministries, service delivery partners and community stakeholders to develop, implement and evaluate disability program policy.

Reporting to the Senior Manager, Program Policy and Innovation, the Manager, Program Innovation leads a team of policy analysts and provides strategic leadership and expertise in disability policy research, analysis, legislative and regulatory review, policy development and program and system improvements.

The Manager leads complex policy work supporting disability programs, with a focus on identifying and analyzing emerging issues, conducting research and cross-jurisdictional reviews, reviewing existing legislative and regulatory frameworks, and developing options and recommendations for policy, legislative and regulatory change.

Working closely with internal and cross-ministry partners, the Manager helps advance policy priorities through government decision-making processes. The successful candidate will navigate political sensitivities, shifting priorities, compressed timelines and ambiguity while building consensus and influencing outcomes without positional authority. The role requires strong analytical judgement and the ability to translate complex research, legislative and regulatory considerations into clear advice and recommendations for senior and executive leadership.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex policy and research analysis related to disability programs and supports, including environmental scans, jurisdictional reviews, trend analysis and assessment of emerging issues.
• Provide strategic policy advice and recommendations to senior and executive leadership by conducting policy research, environmental scans, cross-jurisdictional reviews, trend analysis and impact assessments.
• Support the development of program, operational, legislative and regulatory policy, ensuring that decision-makers receive clear analysis, options, context and recommendations.
• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with service delivery partners, other ministries, Legal Services, Communications to support coordinated policy development and implementation.
• Monitor legislative, regulatory and policy developments within Alberta and other jurisdictions to identify emerging issues and considerations relevant to Persons with Developmental Disabilities (PDD), Family Support for Children with Disabilities (FSCD) and broader disability policy.
• Lead the preparation of materials to support senior leadership and government committee appearances and proceedings including Public Accounts Committee (PAC), Committee of Supply (COS) and other legislative or government committees, ensuring briefing materials, anticipated questions and supporting analysis are accurate, comprehensive and responsive to emerging issues.
• Provide strategic issues management support on matters related to Persons with Developmental Disabilities (PDD), Family Support for Children with Disabilities (FSCD) and broader disability policy working across the ministry and with partner areas to develop coordinated advice and responses.
• Provide leadership and direction to a team of policy professionals, establishing priorities, managing workloads, supporting employee development and fostering an inclusive, respectful, innovative and high-performing workplace.

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.

This link will assist you with understanding competencies.

Qualifications

MRS: university graduation in a field related to the position assignment, supplemented by three years related experience. Related experience or education may be considered as an equivalency on a one for one basis.

• Experience developing, implementing or evaluating social, disability or human-services policies, programs, legislation or regulations.
• Knowledge of disability programs including the Persons with Developmental Disabilities (PDD) and Family Support for Children with Disabilities (FSCD) programs, disability policy issues, service delivery priorities and the broader Assisted Living and Social Services environment.
• Experience preparing decision-making materials, briefings, policy options and recommendations for senior executives, elected officials or Cabinet-level processes.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex, cross-functional projects involving multiple ministries, service delivery partners or community stakeholders.
• Formal education, training or professional certification in public policy, public administration, project management, change management, leadership or a related discipline.

• Hours of work are 36.25 hours weekly.
• Location: Edmonton, AB
• This competition will be used to fill 1 temporary position (2 year temporary with an end date on or before September 30, 2028)
• Final candidates will be required to undergo a security screening. 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.
• Pre-screening questions will need to be completed as part of your application process for this competition. As part of the selection process candidates may be invited to a telephone and/or written assessment prior to an interview. Please ensure you provide a current email address in your resume.

• 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. Only individuals selected for interviews will be contacted.
If you require any further information on this job posting or require an accommodation during the recruitment process, please contactElena Arefeva at [e-mail] .