Manager of Employee and Public Engagement

**Competition #**: 43329 **Department**: Health and Wellness **Location**: HALIFAX **Type of Employment**: Temporary **Union Status**: Exclusion - Non Union - NSPG **Closing Date**: 02-Jul-24 (Applications are accepted until 11:59 PM Atlantic Time) Designation Status This opportunity is designated to applicants that identify as [enter the applicable groups - Indigenous Person, African/Black Nova Scotian and other Racialized Persons, and/or Person with a Disability. See the Nova Scotia Government's Employment Equity Policy for more information, including additional details on the designated groups. About Us 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, we're committed to continually improving our health care system. With a focus on collaborative primary health care, continuing 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. About Our Opportunity As the Manager, Employee and Public Engagement, you will provide proactive leadership in building and sustaining a culture of staff, partnership and public participation in strategies and initiatives that are critical to advancing the department's vision of "Healthy Nova Scotians". You will collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to activate engagement opportunities, sustain engagement platforms, facilitate topical conversations, improve communications, and build reciprocal trust with staff, community partners and Nova Scotians. You will also support regular leadership communications and messaging involving the Deputy Minister's office and departmental staff. The position reports to Director, Engagement and Strategic Initiatives, with two direct reports (Employee Engagement Advisor, and Project Manager, Public Engagement). Primary Accountabilities Provides strategic leadership to implement comprehensive employee and public engagement strategies and initiatives, including the development and execution of the Employee Engagement Strategy in response to the "How's Work Going?" Survey. Develops outcome-driven approaches to enhance organizational capacity through key employee engagement forums, such as the Employee Engagement Network, fostering sustained staff engagement and professional development. Leads the Health Public Engagement Collaborative, a community of practice for staff to ensure the consistent evaluation and adoption of best practices in public engagement across the department. Drives the implementation of a robust public engagement framework within the department, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and evaluation of engagement efforts. Cultivates public engagement capabilities and collaborations with key health partners like NSHA and IWK, fostering cohesive efforts towards informing health policies, programs, and service delivery for Nova Scotians. Supports inclusive community engagement in health through partnerships with local stakeholders, promoting geographically relevant initiatives and dialogue. Oversees system-level engagement platforms and hubs (e.g., Departmental intranet, Engage4Health) to maintain engagement among staff, partners, and the public. Collaborates with educational institutions and grassroots organizations to advocate for and partner on advancing public engagement practices within the health sector. Enhances community capacity through grants, mentorship programs, and strategic partnerships, fostering opportunities for local involvement in healthcare initiatives. Manages internal and external communications strategies under the guidance of senior leadership, ensuring alignment with departmental goals and enhancing stakeholder engagement. Mentors, coaches, and supports team members in their professional growth and development, fostering a culture of learning and collaboration within the department. Ensures effective management of human and financial resources by setting performance standards, promoting diversity, and cultivating a healthy, respectful workplace environment conducive to achieving departmental objectives. Qualifications and Experience You hold a bachelor's degree in a related discipline with extensive experience in public engagement, communications, change management, leadership, strategic planning, and project management. An equivalent combination of training and experience may be considered. In addition, you: Demonstrate outstanding communication skills, adept at fostering engagement with staff, partners, and stakeholders through articulate dialogue, compelling writing, and imp