Director of Market Development

Competition # : 48661

Department: Fisheries and Aquaculture

Location: HALIFAX

Type of Employment: Permanent

Union Status: Exclusion - Non Union - NSPG

Closing Date: 20-May-26 (Applications are accepted until 11:59 PM Atlantic Time)

About Us

The Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture has a legislated mandate to manage, promote, support, and develop the fishing, aquaculture and seafood processing industries that contribute to the economic, environmental, and social prosperity of Nova Scotia’s coastal and rural communities.

About Our Opportunity

The Market Development Branch delivers strategic marketing and trade initiatives to advance market development for Nova Scotia’s seafood, agri food and beverage sectors across local, national, and international markets.

Through a broad and evolving suite of marketing initiatives and trade facilitation activities, the Branch works to increase awareness, enhance value, and drive demand for Nova Scotia quality food products. This work also focuses on building export capacity and market knowledge within the sectors, while supporting business growth. Activities are delivered in close collaboration with industry stakeholders, sector associations, government partners, and in-market consultants engaged by the Department in priority markets.

As Director, Market Development, you will lead a high performing team responsible for the design, execution, and oversight of strategic market development initiatives. You will guide the development and implementation of local and export marketing and trade activities that strengthen the competitiveness and growth of Nova Scotia’s seafood and agri food businesses at home and abroad.

This job reports to the Executive Director of Market Development.

Primary Accountabilities

• Provide leadership and oversight to a team of market development professionals, ensuring effective human resource management, sound financial stewardship, and strategic work planning.
• Provide strategic leadership for market development/diversification initiatives that advance the competitiveness and growth of Nova Scotia’s seafood and agri‑food sectors in local, national, and international markets, ensuring effective use of resources and a strong return on investment.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with industry stakeholders, sector associations, processors/exporters, federal/provincial partners, national and international buyers.
• Provide strategic advice, briefing materials, and recommendations to senior leadership and Ministers
• Coordinate Ministerial trade mission programs and represent the department in trade missions, buyer meetings, and related market development activities.

Qualifications and Experience

This may be the right opportunity for you if you have a bachelor’s degree in business administration, marketing, international trade or a related field. An equivalent combination of education, training and experience may be considered. You must also demonstrate:

• At least 3 years of proven leadership experience at the managerial level or above, with direct responsibility for staff supervision, performance management and budgets.
• A minimum of 5 years of experience setting strategic direction, developing and executing results‑driven marketing and export focused trade strategies.
• Demonstrated knowledge of domestic and international seafood and/or agri-food markets.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, and a proven ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Sound judgment and cultural awareness for working in international markets.
• Strong relationship management and networking skills.

Leadership competencies required at this level of work are:

Strategic Orientation, Decisiveness, Results Oriented, Developing Others, Team Leadership, Self-Awareness, Personal Impact, Effective Interactive Communication, Partnering and Relationship Building, and Intercultural and Diversity Proficiency.

Equivalency

Applicants relying on education and experience equivalencies must demonstrate such equivalencies in their application.

Benefits

Based on the employment status and union agreement, the Government of Nova Scotia offers its employees a wide range of benefits such as a Defined Benefit Pension Plan, Health, Dental, Life Insurance, General illness, Short and Long Term Disability, Vacation and Employee and Family Assistance Programs. For information on all our Benefit program offerings, click here: Benefits for government employees.

Working Conditions

• This job will be located in Halifax
• Must have a valid passport with no restrictions and a valid driver’s license
• Travel within Canada and international markets

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.

Pay Grade: EC 13

Salary Range: $4,322.15 - $5,402.66 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.

Accommodation Statement:

We are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. Candidates may request accommodations based on any grounds protected by the Human Rights Act. If you require an accommodation throughout the recruitment process, please contact us at competitions@novascotia.ca.

Current government employees may access this posting through the link below:

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.