Senior Strategist, Housing Acceleration and Performance

Nova Scotia; Halifax; Hybrid; CAD 179,000 - 223,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Career development

Engaging workplace

Countless career paths

Job summary

Government of Nova Scotia, Halifax, is seeking a Senior Strategist for Housing Acceleration and Performance. You will drive housing supply initiatives, shape policy, and lead complex projects in collaboration with government and private partners. The role emphasizes equity and impactful stakeholder engagement.

You will work on-site in Halifax, applying systems thinking and strategic planning to advance housing development, with a focus on affordability, safety, and accessibility.

Qualifications

• Post-secondary education in a related field and at least three (3) years of policy experience.
• Asset if licensed as Planner/Engineer with residential planning experience.
• Strong systems thinking, strategic planning, and cross‑department collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Conduct evidence-informed analysis on policy impacts and implications.
• Review external plans and provide alignment recommendations.
• Monitor housing initiatives for alignment with approved plans.
• Plan and develop strategic initiatives with analytical rigor.
• Lead issues management and proactive risk mitigation.
• Provide leadership and engage stakeholders effectively.

Skills

Policy analysis

Leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Equity & diversity

Strategic thinking

Communication

Education

Post-secondary education in planning or related field

Job description

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Senior Strategist, Housing Acceleration and Performance

Competition # :50001

Department:Growth and Development

Location:HALIFAX

Type of Employment:Permanent

Union Status:Exclusion - Non Union - NSPG

Closing Date:08-Oct-26 (Applications are accepted until 11:59 PM Atlantic Time)

Designation Status

WHEN APPLICABLE This opportunity is designated to applicants that identify as [enter the applicable groups - Indigenous Person, African/Black Nova Scotian and other Racialized Persons, Person with a Disability, Women in Occupations or Positions where they are Under-represented].

The Department of Growth, Development and Defence Industries drives economic growth and productivity by creating the conditions for communities, businesses and households to thrive. The Department works with key partners to foster a dynamic environment that supports housing innovation and sector development, providing the necessary solutions to grow our population and economy.

The Housing Acceleration and Performance team’s mission is to address the urgent need to increase the housing supply across the province while ensuring that new constructions meet high standards of affordability, safety, accessibility, and efficiency. They achieve this by leading strategic policy initiatives aimed at expediting housing development and by overseeing the implementation of building codes and standards.

About Our Opportunity

Are you passionate about addressing the housing challenges faced by Nova Scotians? Do you thrive in a fast-paced environment? Desire to chart new paths that make a difference, AND bring people along with you on the journey? This may be the opportunity you have been waiting for.

We are seeking an experienced professional to join our team as a Senior Strategist. In this role, you will play a pivotal part in driving our ambitious mandate to advance housing supply across municipalities. You will be at the forefront of shaping housing policies, driving forward the work of the Executive Panel on Housing in Halifax Regional Municipality, leading complex projects, and collaborating with partners across governments and the private sector to develop innovative solutions.

Primary Accountabilities

As a Senior Strategist, you will:

• Conduct evidence-informed analysis on the impacts and implications of existing and proposed policies.
• Review external plans, offering input and recommendations for alignment with strategic objectives.
• Monitor housing initiatives to ensure alignment with approved plans and guidelines.
• Plan and develop critical initiatives, demonstrating strategic and analytical thinking.
• Lead issues management efforts by identifying emerging risks, assessing potential impacts, and developing proactive solutions.
• Provide leadership and advice to engage stakeholders effectively.
  

Qualifications and Experience

You have completed a post-secondary educational program in a related field and have at least three (3) years of experience working in a policy environment. You understand housing issues and solutions, applicable legislative frameworks, and strategic planning. It would be considered an asset if you were also a licensed professional (Planner/Engineer, etc.) with recent experience in the residential planning and development process. In addition to this you:

• Demonstrate the capacity to look at things from a systems perspective.
• Have a strategic mindset in guiding policy and managing projects.
• Have strong leadership capabilities in managing teams, providing direction, and fostering collaboration within and across departments.
• Possess exceptional analytical skills and the ability to successfully implement complex initiatives.
• Demonstrate excellent communication skills in crafting comprehensive documents, briefings, and presentations for diverse audiences.
• Demonstrate a commitment to equity and diversity in the public service and recognize the value of diverse voices when building strategic plans to meet the needs of Nova Scotians.
• Knowledge of the Halifax Regional Municipality planning and development framework, including municipal planning, development approval, and infrastructure servicing processes, would be considered a strong asset

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

We recognize equivalent combinations of training, education, and experience, providing opportunities for individuals with diverse backgrounds to contribute their skills and expertise. Applicants relying on education and experience equivalencies must demonstrate such equivalencies in their application.

Salary Information

EC 12 -

$3,929.22 - $4,911.52

Based on the employment status and union agreement, 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

This position requires the successful candidate to work on-site. Most of your time is spent in an office setting. Your normal work week is 35 hours/week, 7 hours/day.

What We Offer

• Career development where you have access to career guidance, tools, resources, and ongoing training for every stage of your career
• Engaging workplace: our employees feel valued, respected, connected, and tuned in, we have forward-thinking policies and strategies
• Countless career paths

Pay Grade:EC 12

Salary Range:$3,929.22- $4,911.52Bi-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].

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 concernsmay be directed [e-mail].