Program Manager, Grants

Halifax Regional Municipality is inviting applications for the permanent, fulltime position of Program Manager, Grants in Finance & Asset Management Business Unit. Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) is committed to reflecting the community it serves and recognizing Diversity and Inclusion as one of the Municipality's core values. We have an Employment Equity Policy and we welcome applications from African Nova Scotians and Other Racially Visible Persons, Women in occupations or positions where they are underrepresented in the workforce, Indigenous/Aboriginal People, Persons with Disabilities and 2SLGBTQ+ Persons. Applicants are encouraged to self-identify on their electronic application.

As a member of the Finance & Asset Management team and reporting to the Director, Revenue, the Program Manager, Grants is a highly self-motivated professional who works in consultation with Regional Council, committees of Council, and municipal departments in the management, delivery, and evaluation of municipal assistance programs serving eligible nonprofit and charitable organizations throughout the Municipality.

The Program Manager provides direction to staff and reports regularly to management on matters related to budget, program policy, business plan performance indicators, and strategic initiatives.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop and manage centralized budget in Fiscal Services for all grants funded from the annual operating budget;
• Develop staff capacity-building opportunities in the evaluation and reporting of grants and contributions;
• Collaborate with Director, Revenue and other senior staff on financial and fiscal policy development, analysis, rationalization, or amendments related to cash grants or in-kind municipal assistance;
• Collaborate with Director, Revenue, and senior staff in other business units on centralized Grants & Contributions policy development, financial analysis, evaluation and compliance monitoring;
• Analyze and report on overall, organization-wide and sector-specific municipal grants and contribution agreements including budget and policy implications and year to year comparisons;
• Serve as key contact for the HRM Grants Committee;
• Manage policy and processes for capital grants issued under a Contribution Agreement approved by Regional Council;
• Manage the not-for-profit Tax Relief program including communicating with applicants, application approval decisions, calculating the relief amount, and managing budget;
• Prepare and present reports to Regional Council and any municipal Advisory and Council Committees as required;
• Use HRM's tax revenue system and other relevant systems to perform queries, extract, and analyze data to inform municipal grant programs;
• Provide expertise in Grants best practices to Business Unit staff;
• Monitor funding compliance;
• Mentor and support other HRM business units on grants-related issues in an advisory capacity;
• Approve content for all web based and print communications related to grants and contributions and respond to media inquiries through HRM Corporate Communications - Public Affairs;
• Respond to inquiries from members of Regional Council, the Councillors Support Office; and non-profit organizations.
• May perform other related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education & Experience:

• Post-secondary degree in Public Administration, Business, Finance, Education or related field;
• Minimum of five (5) years' related experience, including demonstrated experience in program delivery and related policy development and evaluation;
• Demonstrated experience dealing directly with public including external organizations; and
• Demonstrated experience leading change.

Technical/Job Specific Knowledge and Abilities:

• Demonstrated knowledge of municipal government organizational structure and protocols;
• Working knowledge of principles of financial stewardship;
• Strong interpersonal and presentation skills;
• Strong written and verbal communication skills;
• Self-motivated and able to work independently or as part of an inter-disciplinary team;
• Ability to combine abstract conceptual analysis with practice;
• Demonstrated analytical skills coupled with working knowledge of applied research and evaluation methods; and
• Professional knowledge of the application of software, including Enterprise platforms, spreadsheets, and databases in accomplishing goals.

An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered. Applicants relying on education and experience equivalencies must clearly demonstrate such equivalencies in their application.

Security Clearance Requirements: Applicants may be required to complete an employment security screening check.

Please note - Testing may be conducted as a component of the selection process to assess technical and job specific knowledge. Candidates who are selected for testing, may be tested in a group setting, scheduled at the employer's discretion.

COMPETENCIES: Valuing Diversity, Analytical Thinking, Customer Service, Organizational Awareness, Decision Making, Teamwork & Cooperation, Visioning, Strategic Thinking & Innovation, Managing Change, Communications.

WORK STATUS: Permanent, Fulltime.

HOURS OF WORK: Monday-Friday, 8:30 am - 4:30 pm, 35 Hours per week. Flex options to work outside of these hours and hybrid may be available.

SALARY: $82,900 - $107,280. Salary will be determined based on relevant experience and qualifications related to the specified pay band and job. Placement above the midpoint of the pay band is typically reserved for candidates who significantly exceed the minimum qualifications, such as those with exceptional experience, specialized skills, or demonstrated achievements relevant to the role. This ensures fair and consistent compensation practices across the organization.

WORK LOCATION: 40 Alderney Drive, Dartmouth.

CLOSING DATE: Applications will be received up to 11:59 PM on Sunday, 21 June 2026.

Please note: We thank all applicants for their interest in this position. Only those applicants selected for interview/testing will be contacted.

To ensure a fair and equitable hiring process, candidates are expected to complete all parts of the recruitment process, including assessments, assignments, and interviews independently and without the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools or other forms of external assistance. The use of AI to complete any component of the hiring process is not permitted and may result in disqualification from consideration.

Shortlisted candidates will be required to provide proof of their qualifications, including, but not limited to, educational credentials, professional licenses, and relevant certifications.

During the recruitment process, applicants have the right to request an accommodation. Applicants invited to participate in an assessment process (such as interview or testing) and who require an accommodation, should discuss their needs with the Talent Acquisition Advisor when invited to the assessment process. For more information on our accommodation process please click on the link: Accommodations | Hiring | Employment | Halifax

(position # 72285943)