Senior Strategist

The Government of Nova Scotia•Halifax, NS

2d•CA$101,739 - CA$127,533•Onsite

About The Position

The Department of Municipal Affairs is committed to supporting municipalities in the development of resilient, prosperous, and safe communities by delivering innovative, inclusive solutions and fostering strong partnerships. The Department is responsible for stewardship of the municipal legislative framework, including the Municipal Government Act and the Halifax Regional Municipality Charter, and other related legislation. Our work involves making strategic investments, leveraging new funding, and building on critical partnerships to help position ourselves to meet current and future challenges. The Strategic Policy and Planning Branch of the Department of Municipal Affairs is responsible for leading strategic policy development, planning, and corporate services. The Branch also serves as the department’s primary liaison with the Executive Council Office and other departments across government. The Branch plays a key role in supporting the department’s relationship with municipalities by providing stewardship of the municipal legislative framework, strategic policy advice, and coordination on matters affecting municipal governance. We are looking for a Senior Strategist, Strategic Policy and Legislative Initiatives to join the Strategic Policy and Planning Division. This is a senior individual contributor role for someone who enjoys complex policy work, legislative and regulatory analysis, and developing clear advice for senior decision makers. You will lead complex files that affect municipalities and communities across Nova Scotia. Your work may involve leading legislative amendments, regulatory changes, or policy development related to municipal governance, codes of conduct for municipal officials, housing pressures, climate risks, drought and flooding, infrastructure challenges, service delivery pressures, or other emerging municipal issues. This role is a strong fit for someone who demonstrates the competencies expected of a strong individual contributor, including analytical thinking, strategic orientation, research, strong reading comprehension, clear and persuasive writing, sound judgment, initiative, adaptability, innovation, communication, partnering, and problem-solving skills. You bring the ability to interpret a high volume of complex material, assess risks and implications, work through sensitive issues, develop and communicate clear and well-reasoned advice, and build respectful working relationships across government, municipalities, partners, and communities. You are comfortable working where the answer is not obvious, information may be incomplete, and the path forward requires navigating complexity, using creativity and sound judgment, and applying a strong public service perspective when developing solutions.

Requirements

Several years of progressively responsible experience in strategic policy, planning, legislative, regulatory, municipal, intergovernmental, or public administration work.
Led or supported complex files that require research, analysis, judgment, written advice, options development, and clear recommendations for senior decision makers.
A bachelor’s degree in public administration, political science, law, planning, social or natural sciences, or a related field is required.
Comfortable working through complex material. This may include legislation, regulations, government decision documents, policy frameworks, research, jurisdictional scans, stakeholder input, and detailed background materials.
Ability to identify what matters, assess what is uncertain, and turn information into practical advice.
Experience preparing briefing notes, options analysis, recommendations, correspondence, decision-support documents, policy papers, or legislative and regulatory materials.
Ability to present options, risks, trade-offs, and recommended next steps in a way that supports senior decision-making.
Ability to lead complex files with limited direction.
Comfortable working in areas where the answer is not obvious, the issue may be sensitive, and the path forward requires judgment.
Ability to work independently, but not in isolation.
Ability to build strong working relationships with leaders, colleagues, subject matter experts, municipalities, and government partners.
Demonstrated strength in complex policy work including legislative and regulatory analysis.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to develop practical options and sound recommendations in response to complex, sensitive, and ambiguous issues.

Nice To Haves

Experience developing or coordinating Requests for Legislation, Regulations and Orders, Memoranda to Executive Council, Treasury and Policy Board submissions, or similar government decision materials.
Experience with municipal governance, housing, land use planning, infrastructure, climate adaptation, emergency management, or intergovernmental relations.
Experience using CanLII, legislative databases, regulations, case law, or other legal and policy research tools.
Experience developing policies and Cabinet submissions.
A master's degree in a relevant field.

Responsibilities

Lead complex policy, legislative, regulatory, and strategic initiative files.
Develop Requests for Legislation, Regulations and Orders, Memoranda to Executive Council, briefing notes, policy options papers, and decision-support materials.
Research and analyze legislation, regulations, case law, jurisdictional scans, policy frameworks, and emerging trends.
Provide clear options, risks, trade-offs, and recommendations to support senior decision making.
Work with senior leaders, subject matter experts, municipalities, and government partners.
Identify emerging issues and advise on practical responses.
Support complex correspondence by assessing the issue, clarifying the facts, and recommending a clear and defensible response.
Consider legislative, regulatory, operational, fiscal, stakeholder, and public trust implications.
Help connect policy intent to practical implementation.

Benefits

Defined Benefit Pension Plan
Health
Dental
Life Insurance
General illness
Short and Long Term Disability
Vacation
Employee and Family Assistance Programs
Career development, including access to career guidance, tools, resources, and ongoing training for every stage of your career
An engaging workplace where employees feel valued, respected, connected, and informed, supported by forward-thinking policies and strategies
Countless career paths