Job Description

Competition # : 38303

Department: Service Nova Scotia and Internal Services

Location: HALIFAX

Type of Employment: Permanent

Union Status: NSGEU - NSPG

Closing Date: \xe2\x80\x8b3/23/2023\xe2\x80\x8b (Applications are accepted until 11:59 PM Atlantic Time)

Who We Are

The , a division of Service Nova Scotia and Internal Services (SNS-IS) is a team within government, and we are putting people first. We are called a \xe2\x80\x9c \xe2\x80\x9d service for a reason \xe2\x80\x93 because we are helping government work the way that people expect things to work these days.

Our team is large, diverse, and passionate about making a difference in peoples\xe2\x80\x99 lives. We believe in user-centered iterative digital service design, and practice . Working at the NSDS means you will be a part of a team whose work makes a difference through designing, continuously improving and delivering the programs and services people need, alongside caring, compassionate, highly skilled people.

At the NSDS, we don\'t just accept difference - we celebrate a supportive culture of diversity, inclusion and belonging!

The people who use government programs and services come from all walks of life. It is important that the NSDS reflects the people that we serve \xe2\x80\x93 so we can deliver better, and more accessible, and inclusive public services. We work hard to create an environment where different perspectives and experiences are valued. We are committed to helping diverse talent thrive.

Who You Are

You are passionate about people\xe2\x80\x99s experiences and want to make people\xe2\x80\x99s lives better. You\xe2\x80\x99re curious, and your humbleness helps you learn and grow. You love to collaborate across roles and organizations, and you can create a path forward from uncertainty. You are comfortable inspiring others with your communication skills whether they be senior leaders or technical teams.

You share our values of Respect, Integrity, Diversity, Accountability & The Public Good, have a passion for service excellence and actively promote and encourage the importance of people, teams, diversity, and culture.

About Our Opportunity

Do you want to make a difference? Do you like to make a big impact? Do you want to be a part of transforming the way we serve our citizens and bring a WOW digital experience to our citizens and employees in government and health? If the answer is, \xe2\x80\x9cYes!\xe2\x80\x9d then we have the opportunities what will challenge and excite you.

We are looking to strengthen our rapidly growing team with the addition of a Platform Lead. This position is part of the Digital Collaboration team that enables and accelerates modern workplace productivity and collaboration adoption, promotes awareness and usage of digital collaboration and productivity apps and provides end-to-end support, through the delivery of modern digital experience across:

• Individual productivity
• Team productivity
• Community enablement
• Organizational productivity

Reporting to the Manager of Digital Collaboration, the Platform Lead provides expert level insight and plays a lead role in strategically visioning, planning, and defining the cross-platform capabilities and activities within Modern Collaboration Architecture and provides technical stewardship of all elements of the services and products delivered.

The position takes the lead for Microsoft 365 and Power Platform productive and collaborative solutions and platform services, provides guidance to users and managers, leading and supervising analysts and specialists to ensure the technology meets users\xe2\x80\x99 needs and requirements for client departments across the Provincial Government, Nova Scotia Health (NSH) and IWK, as well as to the citizens of Nova Scotia. The position develops the capabilities in a way that enables the platforms and products to continuously align with the needs of the government and clients.

Primary Accountabilities

The Platform Lead is responsible for:

• Helping us see the future. Conceptualize and design corporate directions, technology and information strategies for Microsoft 365 and Power Platform.
• Playing a lead role in strategic planning of the services the platform provides, of maximizing the use and growth of the platform and how the technology to meet the business needs.
• Creating, maintaining, and providing technical direction to the collaborative solutions and platform service RoadMap for the government.
• Creating and maintaining products catalogue and assign ownership of products; Working with the Service Owners across the portfolio to ensure that platforms & products are developed to align with the modern collaboration architecture and overall vision and strategy of the government.
• For large and complex technology initiatives, is responsible to lead the consultation with business and program clients to identify and document opportunities for transformation; is the lead integration point between the client and technical staff; develops policy, procedures or processes that provide direction to stakeholders.
• Leading, creating, and maintaining collaborative solutions governance and approval process.
• Diving deep to understand the needs of internal and external users, stakeholders, and partners; design and lead successful implementations of the productive and collaborative solutions and platform service that are valuable, usable, accessible, scalable, and feasible, and meet both the functional and technical needs of the government and clients.
• Ensuring accurately and timely updates of all scoped work within the platform service as well as provide timely, related reports to senior management.
• Overseeing the development and operational support of applications built on the platforms.

Additional Aspects

• Think big. Understand, customize, and apply modern collaboration architecture across digital experience: Individual Productivity, Team Productivity, Community Enablement, Organization Productivity.
• Execute. In charge of platform service intake process, develop and maintain business process and \xe2\x80\x9chow to\xe2\x80\x9d material for training users on how to interact with the intake processes.
• Be creative. Prioritize and plan platform development in the agile, customer-focused and internet-era ways of working, working with team to promote and adopt productive and collaborative solutions and platform service across the government and the clients.
• Working collaboratively across government and with various stakeholders and sectors to build collaborative relationships and innovate.
• Seeking to continuously innovate on new capabilities in line with industry trends and identify cost efficiencies.
• Mentoring, coaching, and fostering a dynamic team of individuals to elevate the delivery of technology using a platform product mindset approach.

Qualifications and Experience

As an experienced Platform Lead, you must have a relevant degree and at least six (6) years of relevant and progressive experience. You can demonstrate with evidence your experience with the following:

• Experience and knowledge of Power Platform, Teams, SharePoint, OneDrive and Microsoft 365 and other digital productive and collaborative products at a deep technical level, providing subject matter expertise and technical thought leadership to the organization;
• Experience in leading technology change and deployments;
• Experience in strategic technology planning;
• Engaging with users and using qualitative and quantitative insights to identify how their needs can be met by platform product and service improvements;
• Designing, developing, and releasing quality platform products with proficiency in agile product management techniques, such as user story writing, MVP definition, and roadmap/backlog prioritization to achieve the vision;
• Understanding a variety of disciplines involved in digital delivery, including user research, service design, usability, analytics, accessibility, etc. through working in multidisciplinary teams;
• Strong decision-making and prioritization skills to own and manage the platform product backlog and roadmap through the design and delivery process;
• Designing and leading efficient and collaborative platform operations and support;
• Setting, monitoring, and reporting on measurable platform product performance targets;
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, especially around breaking down complex structures and technology to make it understandable to a diverse group of stakeholders and customers across all levels at government and health;
• Management of the scope and budget required to deliver excellent new products and existing products to meet user needs;
• Leading change through influence and collaboration across a matrix organization in a highly fluid environment;
• Fostering empowered teams by delegating authority and providing coaching and support;
• Strategic and innovative mindset with strong problem-solving skills.
• Previous experience working in a similar role and certifications in Microsoft 365 and Power Platform would be considered an asset.

Candidate Assessment

We will assess the above qualifications and competencies using one or more of the following tools: written examination, standardized tests, oral presentations, interview(s), and reference checks. We recognize that everyone brings different skills and experiences to the table and that not everyone \xe2\x80\x9cchecks all the boxes\xe2\x80\x9d. We encourage you to apply anyway! Tell us why you\xe2\x80\x99re the right fit for the job.

Benefits

The Government of Nova Scotia offers its employees a wide range of benefits such as Health, Dental, Life Insurance, Pension, General Illness (Short and Long Term), Vacation and Employee and Family Assistance Programs. Click to learn more about our various benefits offering and eligibility criteria.

What We Offer

• 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.
• Department Specific Flexible working schedules.

Pay Grade: PR 17

Salary Range: $3,001.65 - $3,525.41 Bi-Weekly

Employment Equity Statement:

Our goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative, at all job levels, of the citizens we serve. The Government of 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 electronic application.

This is a bargaining unit position initially restricted to current civil service employees represented by the Nova Scotia Government Employees Union (NSGEU). If applying from outside a government office, employees must apply correctly via this link:

Failure to apply correctly means that your application will not be given first consideration as a bargaining unit applicant, and will only be included if external applications are pursued.

External applicants and current casual employees will only be considered if there are no qualified civil service bargaining unit candidates. PLEASE NOTE: Candidates will not be considered for an interview if applications are incomplete or are missing information.

Offer of employment is conditional upon the completion of all applicable background checks and confirmation of credentials, the results of which must be satisfactory to the employer. We thank all applicants for the interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. All questions and concerns may be directed to Competitions@novascotia.ca.

Government of Nova Scotia