Executive Director, Lands

Executive Director, Lands Branch

The Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment has an exciting senior management opportunity as the Executive Director of the Lands Branch. Currently located in Regina, consideration of other provincial office centres as headquarters will be dependent on our candidate of choice. Your leadership will set the direction for the strategy and framework for the management and sustainability of land resources in the province.

About Us

The Ministry of Environment's role is to manage the health of Saskatchewan's environment in a responsible manner that supports sustainable growth through objective, transparent and informed decision-making and stewardship. We provide objective, evidence-based advice to decision-makers and deliver programs in a fair, impartial manner aligned with government directed policy. We are dedicated to service excellence, we demonstrate innovation, collaboration and transparency, practice effective and accountable use of resources and promote engagement and leadership at all levels. Our leaders demonstrate the Government of Saskatchewan's commitment to ensuring workplace health and safety.

The Opportunity

The Lands Branch within the Ministry of Environment has an exciting senior leadership opportunity for the position of Executive Director, Lands Branch. Reporting to the Assistant Deputy Minister, this position will:

• Provide leadership, set overall direction, establish challenging targets, and motivate staff to achieve high level performance in the promotion of long-term sustainability and stewardship of the province's Crown lands and protected areas;
• Develop and maintain strong partnerships with stakeholders to enhance program delivery and sustainability;
• Represent the province on various committees in the development of frameworks and strategies relating to the management and sustainability of land resources in the province, including management of exploration, development, and utilization of Crown land resources to ensure that impact on landscape is minimized in consideration of economic priorities;
• Provide a results-based approach to Crown land and resource management that balances use of Crown resource lands while ensuring maintenance of ecosystem health;
• Ensure government's responsibility to First Nations and Mtis peoples for Duty to Consult is fully achieved;
• Provide leadership for the province's Protected and Conserved Areas Network, implementation of the Habitat Management Plan, and the Boreal Caribou Management Program;
• Provide oversight and leadership on Treaty Land Entitlements including review for ecological/public interests, management of claims and communication with affected First Nations, Metis locals or their designates while insuring coordination with other ministries and branches;
• Embrace and demonstrate the ministry's commitment to safety, actively working towards Mission Zero; and
• Champion diversity in the workplace by creating an inclusive environment.

Ideal Candidate

You will have outstanding leadership, organizational, interpersonal and communications skills and knowledge of theories and strategies associated with land resource management and natural resource exploration and development. You will have demonstrated experience or related knowledge of planning, provincial government processes and practices relating to integrated land management and natural resource exploration and development, as well as government decision making, strategic planning, budgeting, and public involvement, including public issues, concerns and values related to crown resource lands.

Communication and facilitation skills are essential as this position is the primary ministry point of contact with senior industry representatives in dealing with strategic issues arising regarding protection and conservation of Crown lands, protected areas and natural resource development. You will have demonstrated and proven creative problem-solving skills, negotiation techniques as strategies will be required to negotiate with special interest groups who have competing and diverse views on outcomes, needs and direction of the ministry.

The knowledge and skills required for this position are typically acquired through completing a degree in business or public administration or related scientific discipline and government experience. A strong science background would be considered an asset to facilitate development and maintenance of partnerships with other professional institutions and agencies, and to provide oversight to fulfill the branch mandate.

As a senior leader, you will:

• Demonstrate leadership strengths that promote an environment of trust, creativity, flexibility, engagement, and inclusion;
• Contribute to a culture of innovation and share a strong interest in leveraging technology to optimize business operations for the ministry to achieve its goals;
• Influence on key strategies that will be of benefit to the entire ministry and are in alignment with the strategic direction while maintaining effective partnerships and working relationships with internal and external clients; and
• Exhibit exceptional communication skills.

Some of the many reasons to apply:

• work with our amazing partners in ministries, agencies, and Treasury Board Crowns across government;
• shape new frameworks, systems, strategies, and processes for the Government of Saskatchewan;
• experience the vibrant environment, energetic employees, diverse functions, engaged culture, and exciting networking opportunities within the Ministry of Environment;
• lead the strong, dynamic and fun team, committed to a strong culture, employee engagement, and individual learning and self-development;
• network with senior leadership and executive teams across government; and
• enjoy a competitive salary, comprehensive benefits, vacation and other leave, flexible work arrangements, inclusive work environments, and challenging opportunities for career advancement within the public service.

We are committed to workplace diversity.