Senior Policy Advisor

Job Information
Job Title: Senior Policy Advisor
Job Requisition ID: 88145
Ministry: Jobs, Economy, Trade and Immigration
Location: Calgary or Edmonton
Full or Part-Time: Full Time
Hours of Work: 36.25 hours per week
Permanent/Temporary/Wage: Permanent
Scope: Open Competition
Closing Date: October 23, 2026
Classification: Program Services 4
Salary: $3,148.2 to $ 4,126.82 bi-weekly ($82,168 - $ 107,710 /year)
The Alberta Public Service works to build a stronger province for current and future generations. We make a difference in the lives of Albertans through rewarding and diverse career opportunities.

The Ministry of Jobs, Economy, Trade and Immigration leads the efforts to grow Alberta's economy by delivering strategic programs and services to support Alberta's entrepreneurs and job creators, attract investment, grow trade, strengthen Alberta's tourism industry and ensure Alberta has an innovative and competitive business environment. The Trade division focuses on designing and implementing Alberta's international strategy as well as supporting the international offices.

Learn more about the Ministry of Jobs, Economy, Trade and Immigration.

Role Responsibilities

Do you have experience conducting policy analysis and providing recommendations to senior leadership or executive decision-makers?

As part of the Policy and Program Delivery Branch, the Policy and Strategy Unit leads the assessment, development and implementation of policies, strategies and initiatives relating to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), entrepreneurs in Alberta, regional economic development, strengthening Alberta's business support and economic development ecosystem to support increased regional competitiveness and productivity. The unit provides and contributes strategic foresight, evaluation, and assessment of economic sector trends and identification of barriers. The unit also develops and presents models, strategies, and policies on the ecosystem in Alberta (and in other jurisdictions). As part of this work, the unit carries out distinct and sometimes high-profile policy projects, such as strategies and frameworks, and provides policy support for program outcomes evaluations, impact analysis and program policy design. This unit also participates on related cross-ministry policy initiatives.

Reporting to the Manager of Strategic Initiatives, this position provides research and policy analysis to inform decision-making by senior leadership and affected stakeholders on strategy, program and policy, and options related to strategic economic development and regional economic issues, programs and opportunities. This work is critical to inform Jobs, Economy, Trade and Immigration (JETI) on economic development and regional economic development issues, collaboration best practices, related risk factors, economic development opportunities, and ultimately informs strategic decision-making and program/policy/strategy development.

• Lead and contribute to complex policy, strategic planning, and research initiatives while effectively managing competing priorities and tight timelines.
• Provide strategic advice and influence policy and program development through engagement with cross-government partners, elected officials, industry leaders, and stakeholders.
• Conduct comprehensive jurisdictional, market, economic, regional, and statistical research and analysis to provide strategic policy and program advice that supports economic growth, business investment, and job creation across Alberta.
• Work collaboratively with Managers, Directors, and cross-functional teams, this position contributes to departmental priorities by facilitating the effective exchange of information, strategic advice, and recommendations on a broad range of economic and business development policy issues.
• Leverage advanced problem-solving, systems-thinking, decision-making, relationship-building, and communication skills to address complex policy issues and influence strategic outcomes.
• Represent the department on cross-ministry and interdepartmental committees, fostering collaboration, influencing policy discussions, and advancing strategic priorities.
• Apply a deep understanding of current and emerging economic and public policy issues to develop innovative, strategic solutions that balance competing interests and support complex decision-making.
• Drive innovative policy and program solutions that support regional economic development, inform economic strategy, and contribute to the achievement of departmental and government priorities.

Role Responsibilities (continued)

1. Policy, program, and strategy related information is developed for regional and northern economic development and SME business development policy and program issues and challenges to support informed planning, decision-making and program development and evaluation.
2. • Consult and coordinate with ministry staff, interdepartmental contacts, and external stakeholders where appropriate to develop policy options that support planning and development of regional and northern economic development policies, framework, strategy and program development initiatives (i.e., economic development across regions in Alberta, regional competitiveness and productivity, place-based approach, regional economic development programming, business growth).
   • Lead research, analysis, and evaluation of data and information pertaining to economic development, regional economic and business development issues from diverse sources including legislation and policy documents, statistical reports, and regional development plans and strategies.

1. Jurisdictional and environmental scanning, and research services are performed to inform and support the development and evaluation of regional economic policy, programs and initiatives that serve to increase Alberta's economic growth.

1. • Analyze collaboration issues and developments to identify trends with the potential to impact ministry policies and programs summarizing findings for consideration of ministry decision-makers.
   • Manage projects from involving extensive detailed policy/program, cross-jurisdictional comparison and analysis, and economic analysis, and evaluation.

1. Provide expert advice and recommendations on a range of economic and business topics and issues including those related to existing business supports and projects within the scope of the division's priorities.
   • Collaborate with JETI staff to ensure coordination and integration of activities and promotes collaboration within the ministry and regional stakeholders.
   • Lead and participate in cross-ministry committees, teams, and working groups, providing regional economic development perspectives and expertise to ensure thoroughness and consistency in policy and program development.
2. The Director and Executive Director are supported in achieving the mandate and goals of the Unit/Branch.
   • Provide analysis for information requests, action requests, and briefings, and responds to requests for information and analysis originating from within government or from the public.
   • Develop briefing and other documents for Executive Team, Minister, Deputy Minister, or Cabinet Committees as an essential support for strategic decision-making on strategies, policies, and programs, and in response to news reports and release of major research studies.

The Job Description is provided for Further details on this position.

APS Competencies

Competencies are behaviors that are essential to reach our goals in serving Albertans. We encourage you to have an in depth understanding of the competencies that are required for this opportunity and to be prepared to demonstrate them during the recruitment process.

• Systems Thinking: A broad perspective, of economic development linkages in the sector of focus, but also of the long-term developments impacting Alberta's economy.
• Build Collaborative Environments: Contribution from other branches/divisions and the relevant stakeholders to ensure understanding of the required analysis and continue to communicate with them until completion of the project.
• Agility:Thrives in complex and evolving environments where challenges often lack clear solutions, requiring agility, sound judgment, and the ability to quickly adapt strategies and priorities.
• Drive for Results:Achieve goals by planning the approach, executing the plan, and collaborating with relevant colleagues and stakeholders to achieve results.
• Creative Problem Solving:Execute research, analysis and evaluation projects that support policy and strategic foresight efforts, which are multi-faceted and may not have precedents.

Qualifications

Minimum Recruitment Standards

University graduation in a related field plus 4 years progressively responsible related experience; or equivalent as described below.

Equivalency: Directly related education or experience considered on the basis of:

• 1 year of education for 1 year of experience; or
• 1 year of experience for 1 year of education.

Preference will be given to candidates with post-secondary education in Public Policy, Business, Economic Development, Economics, or a related field.
In addition to the minimum qualifications, the following knowledge, skills, and experience would be considered strong assets:

• Experience developing strategies, policy analyses, briefing materials, reports, and program design and evaluation frameworks.
• Strong presentation, facilitation, stakeholder engagement, and project management skills.
• Knowledge of economic development principles, practices, and emerging trends.
• Understanding of public, private, and non-profit sector programs that support regional economic development.
• Knowledge of business, industry, trade, and economic drivers impacting Alberta's economy.
• Proven ability to conduct research, analysis, and problem-solving to support economic and business growth.
• Experience applying economic, statistical, and cross-jurisdictional analysis to inform decision-making.
• Knowledge of provincial and federal legislation, policies, and programs related to economic and business development.
• Ability to lead collaborative initiatives and influence diverse stakeholders in policy and program development.
• Strong systems thinking, with the ability to assess impacts, risks, and broader implications.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated critical thinking and sound judgment.
• Ability to analyze complex information from multiple sources and translate insights into strategic recommendations in a fast-paced environment.

Minimum recruitment standards outline the minimum education and experience required for appointment to a job classification.

Notes

This is one (1) permanent, full-time position, working 36.25 hours per week, Monday to Friday.

Any costs associated with obtaining the required documents/checks as noted or interview travel expenses, will be the responsibility of the candidate. Out-of-province applicants can obtain the required documents/checks from the province they currently reside in.

Links and information on what we have to offer:

• Working for the Alberta Public Service.
• Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP)
• Alberta Public Service Benefit Information.
• Professional learning and development.
• Research Alberta Public Service Careers tool.
• Positive workplace culture and work-life balance.

How To Apply

Applicants are advised to provide information that clearly and concisely demonstrates how their qualifications meet the advertised requirements, including education, experience, and relevant examples of required competencies.

Candidates are required to apply online. Please see Job Application Resources for more information.

In your resume, please include dates (including months and years) associated with all education and work experience. For example, January 2006 - June 2009 (part-time). This example is provided for illustrative purposes only. Applicants are encouraged to present their information clearly and thoroughly, using a format that best conveys their experience.

It is recommended applicants who have completed post-secondary studies from outside of Canada obtain an evaluation of their credentials from the International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS) or from a recognized Canadian Credential Evaluator; please visit the Alliance of Credential Evaluation Services of Canada for more information.
It is also recommended that applicants include the assessment certificate from IQAS or any other educational assessment service as part of their application.

Closing Statement

This competition may be used to fill future vacancies, across the Government of Alberta, at the same or lower classification level.

We thank all applicants for their interest. All applications will be reviewed to determine which candidates' qualifications most closely match the advertised requirements.

If you require any further information on this job posting or require an accommodation during the recruitment process, please contact Sam Thomas Mathew at Sam.Thomasmathew@gov.ab.ca.