Dir, Humanities & Languages
About The Position
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 and diverse career opportunities. The Ministry of Education and Childcare, through safe and caring schools for all students, is making life better by investing in education. The Ministry is responsible for developing and evaluating curriculum; teacher development and certification; supporting students with diverse learning needs; funding and supporting school boards; First Nations, Métis and Inuit and Francophone education; and overseeing basic education policy and regulations. The Humanities, Wellness & French branch provides leadership for the development, refinement, implementation, and stewardship of Alberta’s Kindergarten to Grade 12 humanities and language curriculum and related programming. The branch oversees curriculum and programming in English and French language arts, social studies, French immersion, English as an Additional Language, French as a Second Language, international languages, and francisation. Working closely with school authorities, education partners, community organizations, and government stakeholders, the branch supports high-quality, inclusive, and evidence-informed curriculum that promotes student success across Alberta.
Requirements
- University graduation in a related field (Education, Public Administration, etc.), plus 7 years of related experience or equivalent.
- Significant leadership experience managing multidisciplinary teams and complex portfolios.
- Extensive experience within education, curriculum, public administration or a related policy environment.
- Experience leading strategic initiatives and stakeholder engagement activities.
- Strong political acumen and experience navigating politically sensitive issues.
- Experience preparing strategic advice, briefing materials and recommendations for senior executives.
- Experience managing financial and human resources.
- Strong negotiation, collaboration, mediation and relationship-building skills.
- Knowledge of Alberta’s K-12 education system and curriculum development processes.
Nice To Haves
- Experience leading curriculum or educational programming initiatives.
- Knowledge of French-language education, language programming or Francophone education.
- Knowledge of the role and responsible use of artificial intelligence in research, policy development and educational programs.
- Graduate-level education in a related discipline.
- For professional work related to Communications (e.g. Public Affairs Officer), a directly related diploma is considered equivalent to university graduation in a related field.
Responsibilities
- Leading the development, refinement and implementation support of Kindergarten to Grade 12 humanities and language curriculum.
- Ensuring curriculum development is evidence-informed, inclusive, jurisdictionally aware, and reflective of First Nations, Métis, Inuit, Francophone and diverse Alberta perspectives.
- Providing leadership and mentorship to professional staff and managers responsible for curriculum development.
- Monitoring emerging trends and leading practices in curriculum, instruction and artificial intelligence.
- Directing curriculum policy development, implementation, interpretation and legislative compliance.
- Leading the development of briefing materials, correspondence, business cases, recommendations and strategic advice for senior executives and government decision-makers.
- Monitoring trends, risks and emerging issues and recommending strategic responses.
- Building and sustaining collaborative relationships with internal and external partners.
- Representing the Ministry on committees, working groups, consultations and strategic initiatives.
- Leading engagement on complex, sensitive and high-profile curriculum issues.
- Providing overall leadership for branch human, financial and operational resources.
- Leading workforce planning, recruitment, succession planning and staff development.
- Fostering a high-performing, inclusive and collaborative workplace culture.
- Managing complex issues involving curriculum, language programming and stakeholder interests.
- Providing strategic advice on risks, opportunities and implementation considerations.
- Supporting ministry priorities through effective planning, alignment and execution.
- Contributing to the achievement of division, sector and ministry objectives.
Benefits
- Management Employee Pension Plan (MEPP)
- Alberta Public Service Benefit Information
- Professional learning and development
- Positive workplace culture and work-life balance.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
