Director, Technical Services

Discover
The Opportunity

Under the general direction of the Senior Director, Engineering, the Director, Technical Services provides high-quality technical support and expertise to Build Nova Scotia's clients and partners. This role will ensure that the corporation's projects and initiatives are supported by best-in-class engineering, architectural and planning, throughout and at key points in the project delivery. The Director, Technical Services is responsible for coordinating and delivering technical advice, overseeing feasibility studies, design standards, cost estimating, and ensuring compliance with applicable codes, standards, and professional licensing requirements. A portion of the role may involve managing external technical consultants as well as leading an internal team within a Centre of Excellence to build capacity and deliver consistent, high-quality outcomes across the corporation.

What you'll do
Responsibilities

• Feasibility & Planning: Oversee and provide technical input into feasibility studies, master planning, and business case development to ensure Build Nova Scotia projects are based on accurate technical, financial, and operational foundations.
• Design Standards & Reviews: Establish and oversee technical standards, review designs prepared by internal staff and external consultants, and ensure alignment with codes, bylaws, regulations, and industry best practices.
• Procurement Support: Provide technical expertise during procurement processes, including developing scopes of work, evaluating consultant/contractor proposals, and supporting negotiation of technical requirements.
• Construction Phase Support: Ensure Technical Services provides timely guidance during construction, including providing advice and review of significant design changes, clarifications, inspections, and problem-solving for technical issues.
• Handover & Lifecycle Management: Support project teams during commissioning, handover, and post-construction stages by ensuring accurate technical documentation, as-built records, and integration with long-term asset management requirements.
• Lead and manage internal and external technical resources, including engineers, architects, planners, and specialized consultants, to ensure quality, consistency, and value-for-money.
• Establish and maintain a Centre of Excellence in technical services, creating policies, tools, and knowledge resources to build corporate capacity and ensure consistent technical support across projects.
• Build strong relationships with consultants, contractors, regulators, professional associations, and other stakeholders to support compliance, innovation, and effective project delivery.
• Provide ongoing reporting to the Senior Director, Engineering and senior leadership on the performance of the Technical Services function, including progress, risks, and resourcing needs.
• Manage budgets and expenditures for Technical Services activities, ensuring financial accountability and alignment with corporate priorities and project budgets.
• Lead, coach, and develop staff, ensuring performance goals are met, professional growth is supported, and a respectful, inclusive, and high-performing workplace is maintained.
• Identify and implement innovations and best practices in technical service delivery, including sustainable design, digital tools, and process improvements.
• Perform other related duties and special projects as assigned by the Senior Director, Engineering.

What you'll need
Qualifications

• Professional designation: P.Eng or Licensed Architect.
• University degree in Engineering, Architecture, or related field.
• Eight (8) years of relevant experience or a combination of equivalent training and experience as determined by the employer.
• Demonstrated experience leading technical service delivery within large, complex capital or infrastructure projects.
• Strong knowledge of codes, standards, and regulatory frameworks in Nova Scotia.
• Proven ability to manage multidisciplinary teams and external consultants.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.
• Strong organizational, budgeting, and project management abilities.
• Commitment to innovation, sustainability, and continuous improvement in technical practices.
• Excellent organizational and triage skills.
• Able to lead and direct the work of the project team, consultants and stakeholders in a fast paced, results and schedule driven environment.

We're looking for
Core Skills

Architecture
Engineering
Project Management

A little bit about us
Build Nova Scotia

Build Nova Scotia is the Province's Crown Corporation responsible for leading sustainable development of high-potential property and infrastructure across our province to drive economic and population growth. In short, we build things-and how we build them matters as much as what we build. We engage Nova Scotia's diverse communities to lead and support projects that create inclusive, sustainable places that people love. We leverage our projects and programs as tools to bring people together in pursuit of keeping Nova Scotians healthy, connected, and thriving no matter where they live. A thriving community is a powerful thing, and we're doing our part to help communities reach their full potential by stewarding projects that enhance quality of life and community well-being, build local pride and momentum, and grow our economy.

Our goal is a diverse workforce that is representative, at all job levels, of the clients we serve. Build Nova Scotia has an Employment Equity Policy, and we welcome applications from Indigenous People, African Nova Scotians and other Racially Visible Persons, Persons with Disabilities, 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 application.

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