The Department of Land and Environment is committed to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility. Our goal is to build a public sector workforce that reflects the diverse communities we serve and to promote welcoming, diverse, inclusive, respectful workplaces that are accessible to all. We welcome all interested individuals including Indigenous People, persons with disabilities, Black, racialized, ethnic and culturally diverse groups, as well as people regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identities, and gender expressions. Those looking for more information are invited to visit our Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Policy.
Reporting to the Deputy Minister and Assistant Deputy Minister of the Department of Land and Environment, the Director of Policy and Planning will provide strategic advice, leadership and direct support to the Minister, Deputy Minister, ADM, and other divisions. This senior leadership role involves acting as a trusted advisor and collaborating closely with the Deputy Minister, Assistant Deputy Minister, Senior Leadership teams of the department, affiliated Crown agencies and other key stakeholders to streamline operations, manage priorities, and drive strategic initiatives and projects forward, ensuring alignment with the Minister’s vision and goals. The division that the position oversees is responsible for ensuring that the Department’s strategies and policies are evidence-informed, coherent, and responsive to the Government’s mandates and other commitments.
Duties will include but are not limited to:
- Provide expert analysis, policy options and information to the Minister, DM, ADM and senior government officials within the department, affiliated Crown agencies and across government to support proposed policy, program and/or process changes;
- Provides advice and expertise to the Minister, DM, ADM on existing policies, programs, and processes;
- Contributes to priority setting and the general workflow of the department;
- Engages in regular strategic discussions, brainstorming sessions, and planning meetings to align organizational goals with the Minister’s vision;
- Provides expert advice to assist and support the DM, ADM and the Senior Management Team in communicating and promoting the department’s strategic policy direction;
- Support the Minister, DM, ADM and Senior Leadership team and related Crown agencies on high priority initiatives;
- Leads policy staff to ensure that policy projects achieve their desired outcomes;
- Leads/participates in the development of evidence-informed policy through collaboration across the department, and other departments and agencies;
- Provides expertise and advise on emerging areas and new opportunities to improve how the department operates;
- Provides strategic advice and direction, and ensures that resources are available to support the work of the division;
- Succession plans for current and future human resources in the division;
- Leads major policies, strategies, and program development initiative which require organizing resources both within the department and across other government departments to work towards a common goal;
- Provides leadership and guidance to directors, managers, and staff in the ongoing development of departmental strategic planning, particularly in relation to challenging and complex issues;
- Ensures that the department’s legislative, policy and program development activities are based on evidence and best practices in applied legislative and social science research, program evaluation, performance monitoring, change management, and project management methods;
- Consults with senior management in the department, other departments and agencies, and the federal government to ensure that policies and programs are aligned and coherent;
- Collaborates with senior management to identify, develop and implement solutions to address complex and/or challenging issues that are impacting the delivery of services;
- Develops, implements and monitors the department’s evaluation and performance monitoring system for mandates, policies and programs;
- Ensures that evaluation and performance systems are aligned with TB Policy and other policies or legislative responsibilities as required;
- Continuously seeks out opportunities to improve evaluation and performance monitoring systems based on best practices and the Canadian Evaluation Society’s standards for program evaluation;
- Engages in high-level discussions, negotiations and consultations in local, regional, federal, provincial, territorial and international (FPTI) intergovernmental for representing the province’s interests and participation in the development, implementation and evaluation of federal programs;
- Works with departmental subject matter experts to provide analysis of the impacts on the province of significant federal policy initiatives, particularly in areas such as fiscal arrangements, social policy and economic development and provide strategic advice on how the province should respond;
- Collects and communicates information for interdepartmental and/or FPTI policy projects;
- Other related duties.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Must have a Master’s degree in a related field (public administration, social sciences or humanities, environmental sciences, etc.) and completed research methods coursework with considerable experience in project management or a Bachelor’s degree with extensive experience in project management.
- Demonstrated equivalencies will be considered.
- Must have extensive leadership experience in a public sector environment with a cross-functional knowledge of public services.
- Must have extensive experience with developing policy or completing policy-relevant research.
- Must have extensive experience in strategic planning, developing policy, research, and evaluation or legislative development.
- Must have extensive experience writing Treasury Board, Executive Council or other official government memos.
- Must have extensive experience working with a wide range of government and non-government agencies, internal and external agencies and organizations.
- Must have considerable experience in managing staff.
- Must have knowledge of environmental and land policy issues and government, political and legislative processes and direction.
- Must have demonstrated ability to develop cohesive and respectful relationships within government and among government partners, which will contribute to achieving the goals and objectives of the department.
- Must have proven decision-making and critical thinking skills.
- Must have proven ability to work independently in a creative and innovative manner.
- Must have a demonstrated ability to:
- Lead, coach/mentor, influence, delegate and performance manage staff;
- Review, edit and provide feedback on the work of others;
- Foster and maintain respectful, inclusive and productive workplaces;
- Promote common values and ethics, build relationships, and focus on results;
- Communicate complex topics and advice to senior officials;
- Write high-quality, error-free reports and other literature;
- Manage, organize and prioritize multiple and competing projects and tasks;
- Manage change initiatives and lead others through change;
- Complete evidence-informed policy development, including theory, methodology, analysis, and application;
- Think and plan strategically, and manage difficult conversations and confidential information appropriately
Other Qualifications:
- Bilingualism is considered an asset.
- Credentialed Evaluator, Project Management, or Change Management designation or training is considered assets.
- Coursework completed in public policy, public administration, evaluation, and/or project management is considered assets.
Please Note: Please ensure the application clearly demonstrates how you meet the noted qualifications as applicants will be screened based on the information provided. We would like to thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those who are selected for an interview will be contacted.
Where possible, submitting an electronic resume or job application is preferred. Otherwise, please return forms to PEI Public Service Commission, P.O. Box 2000, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, C1A 7N8. Applications may be sent by fax to (902) 368-4383.
IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE APPLICANT TO CONFIRM RECEIPT OF THE APPLICATION, BY TELEPHONE OR IN PERSON PRIOR TO THE CLOSING DATE.
Please ensure that the appropriate Posting ID number is stated on all application forms. You can apply online or obtain an application form by visiting our web site at www.jobspei.ca. Forms may also be obtained by contacting any PEI Government office, ACCESS PEI Centre, Regional Services Centre, or by telephone (902) 368-4080.
Voted as one of Forbes' top 45 Best Employers in Canada for 2026
The Public Service is inspired to make a positive impact and proud to shape the future of our Island Community.
