Opportunities Project Manager

The Department of Health and Wellness offers opportunities to grow and advance in a dynamic sector that touches the lives of all Nova Scotians. Along with our partners including the Nova Scotia Health Authority and the IWK Health Centre were committed to continually improving our health care system. With a focus on collaborative primary health care improved supports for mental health and addictions digital health capital infrastructure and more the department is thinking differently about how to plan fund legislate and monitor to improve access and service delivery. To do this we need leaders at all levels of the organization who embrace a challenge and believe in their ability to make a difference.

The Health System Infrastructure Branch of the Department of Health and Wellness supports the planning governance and oversight of health care infrastructure projects across Nova Scotia. Working with health system partners delivery agents and other government departments the Branch helps ensure infrastructure investments respond to health service needs and support safe effective and sustainable care for Nova Scotians.

Reporting to the Director Health Project Management and Governance the Project Manager Governance provides project management leadership and governance oversight for an assigned portfolio of complex provincially funded health care infrastructure projects.

You will maintain a clear view of project scope schedule budget risk change approvals and key dependencies. You will work closely with Nova Scotia Health IWK Health Department of Public Works Build Nova Scotia and interdepartmental teams to support coordinated decision-making clarify accountabilities and bring forward issues requiring departmental or government direction.

You will also lead and support branch-wide governance initiatives and standard work including the Risk Management Standard Change Management Standard stage-gated project lifecycle requirements reporting tools and continuous improvement activities.

• Provide governance and departmental oversight for a portfolio of complex health care infrastructure projects.
• Monitor project scope schedule budget risks issues changes approvals milestones and dependencies and escalate material matters through the appropriate governance structure.
• Co-chair project steering committees and participate in other governance forums working with partners to establish agendas document decisions and actions and monitor commitments.
• Lead and support implementation and continuous improvement of governance standards tools and processes including risk management change management stage-gate requirements reporting and escalation practices.
• Prepare executive and Ministerial briefings decision requests submissions reports presentations and recommendations that support timely informed decisions.
• Coordinate departmental input and review of project information to confirm that health service requirements governance considerations approvals financial impacts and operational implications are identified at the appropriate time.
• Develop and maintain portfolio reporting performance measures and dashboards that improve consistency visibility and accountability.
• Identify gaps and recurring issues and work with internal teams and delivery partners to implement practical improvements without duplicating the technical design procurement contract administration or construction responsibilities of delivery partners.
• Lead the development and coordination of ministerial deputy ministerial and Premier correspondence including media inquiries stakeholder issues briefing notes and Cabinet-related materials ensuring accuracy timeliness and alignment with government priorities.
• Prepare and coordinate submissions to the Executive Council Office and Treasury and Policy Board including business cases decision requests and supporting documentation as required.
• Build effective working relationships across the Department health authorities delivery agents central agencies consultants and other project partners.
• Provide guidance coaching and knowledge sharing on project governance processes reporting expectations and established project management practices.
  
  

Applicants must possess one of the following:

• A bachelors degree in engineering and eligibility for registration as a Professional Engineer (.) with Engineers Nova Scotia; or
• A degree in Architecture and eligibility for registration with the Nova Scotia Association of Architects (NSAA); or
• A Project Management Professional (PMP) designation; or
• Another related degree professional designation or combination of education and experience relevant to the role.
  
  

In addition candidates must have 6-10 years of progressive experience leading large complex projects preferably within healthcare or other public-sector infrastructure environments and demonstrated success working collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams. Registration with a regulated health profession and experience in healthcare planning capital projects or infrastructure delivery would be considered an asset.

We may assess the qualifications and competencies for this position using one or more tools including written exercises presentations interviews and reference checks.

An equivalent combination of education training and experience may be considered. Applicants relying on equivalency must clearly demonstrate it in their application.

Based on the employment status 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.

• Most work is completed in an office environment. The Nova Scotia Government work location standard is in the office full-time.
• The role requires sustained attention to complex project information competing priorities and time-sensitive issues.
• Occasional travel and visits to active projects or construction sites is required.
• Site visits may involve exposure to noise dust and other normal construction-site conditions with required safety practices in place.
  
  

This is permanent full-time position based in Halifax with an anticipated start date of December 7 2026.

• 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
• A dynamic client-focused office environment where service excellence and teamwork are our focus.