Director, Community Standards and Compliance bei Halifax Regional Municipality

Municipalities are the closest level of government to the public and employees take pride in making Halifax the best it can be. A municipal public servant makes a difference in the lives of over 400,000 people in the Halifax region. If you are committed to public service, have a desire to learn, grow, and give back to the community through your work, you may be the right fit for our organization.

Halifax Regional Municipality is inviting applications for the permanent full-time position of Director, Community Standards & Compliance with Community Safety.

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.

About the Opportunity

Reporting to the Executive Director of Community Safety, the Director of Community Standards & Compliance is responsible and accountable for the effective leadership and management of the Community Standards & Compliance division. The Director leads the division and ensures the implementation of departmental strategies and applicable elements of the corporate strategic plan. The Director is responsible for a multi-disciplinary team of professional, technical, and administrative staff.

The Director directs, oversees, and recommends actions, strategies, reports, plans, and budgets prepared by division staff that meet mandated goals and objectives. As a member of the department’s senior management team, the Director will oversee all aspects of the work and performance of staff responsible for Community Standards functions.

The Director ensures the efficient, accurate, professional, and coordinated delivery of services and is responsible to foster and maintain productive relationships with citizens, other internal and external departments, and Regional Council.

The Director Community Standards is responsible for excellence in service delivery for the administration and implementation of policies, by-laws and regulations related to licensing, by-law compliance and enforcement.

Key Responsibilities and Priorities

Commitment to Service Excellence

Leads the delivery of high-quality public services through effective administration and enforcement of municipal by-laws, licensing, animal services, and housing and homelessness compliance programs. Ensures all activities align with HRM’s vision and Regional Plan by fostering innovation, accountability, and fairness in decision-making. Promotes a culture of service excellence that enhances community safety, supports compliance, and strengthens public confidence in HRM’s standards and regulations.
Leadership & Strategic Direction
Provides strategic leadership and direction to the Community Standards & Compliance division, ensuring programs and initiatives align with Council priorities and corporate objectives. Serves as a trusted advisor to the Executive Director and Senior Management on policy development, regulatory matters, and community issues. Leads change management and continuous improvement efforts that position HRM as a responsive, effective, and community-focused organization.
Financial & Resource Management
Oversees the development and management of divisional operating and capital budgets, ensuring fiscal responsibility and alignment with HRM’s financial policies. Conducts multi-year financial planning, resource forecasting, and cost-benefit analysis to support sustainable service delivery. Ensures financial controls, reporting, and performance measures are in place to achieve operational efficiency and accountability to Regional Council and the public.
People Leadership & Workforce Development
Provides strong leadership to a multidisciplinary team responsible for enforcement, licensing, and compliance functions. Promotes a positive, respectful, and inclusive workplace that supports learning, growth, and professional excellence. Oversees staffing, performance management, and succession planning while ensuring compliance with collective agreements and HRM human resources policies. Fosters collaboration, empowerment, and engagement to build a high-performing team committed to public service.
Health, Safety & Compliance
Ensures all operations and enforcement activities are carried out safely and in compliance with HRM’s Occupational Health & Safety policies and the Nova Scotia Occupational Health & Safety Act. Promotes a culture of safety awareness, accountability, and continuous improvement through regular training, workplace inspections, and risk assessments. Supports the Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committee (JOHSC) and ensures timely reporting and mitigation of hazards.
Stakeholder Engagement & Communications
Builds and maintains effective partnerships with internal departments, community organizations, and external agencies to address compliance and community safety issues collaboratively. Represents HRM in public consultations, media briefings, and Council meetings to communicate divisional priorities, outcomes, and initiatives transparently. Promotes community awareness, education, and engagement to support voluntary compliance and enhance public understanding of HRM’s standards.
Service Innovation & Continuous Improvement
Leads continuous improvement in the delivery of by-law enforcement, licensing, and community standards programs by evaluating policies, procedures, and performance outcomes. Implements data-driven strategies and innovative solutions to enhance operational effectiveness, streamline processes, and improve client service. Encourages creative problem-solving and collaboration to ensure HRM’s community standards and compliance services evolve with changing community needs and expectations.

The Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate for the position of Director, Community Standards and Compliance is a strategic, collaborative, and forward-thinking leader who brings a deep understanding of municipal operations, regulatory frameworks, and community safety. A seasoned professional, this individual combines strong policy acumen with operational excellence to ensure the effective delivery of HRM’s community standards, licensing, by-law compliance, animal services, and housing and homelessness compliance programs.

With a proven record of success at the senior management level, the ideal candidate demonstrates the ability to manage complex portfolios, lead multidisciplinary teams, and navigate within a unionized environment. They are adept at building partnerships and maintaining productive relationships with elected officials, internal stakeholders, community representatives, and regulatory bodies at all levels of government.

Analytical and decisive, the candidate uses sound judgment and evidence-based decision-making to develop and implement strategies aligned with the Municipality’s strategic plan. They are skilled in financial management, including multi-year budget planning and resource allocation, and can balance operational priorities with long-term strategic goals.
As an inspiring leader, the successful candidate fosters a culture of collaboration, accountability, and service excellence. They are committed to coaching, mentoring, and developing staff while ensuring a safe, inclusive, and respectful workplace. With a demonstrated commitment to HRM’s core values of diversity, inclusion, ethics, and public service, the candidate embodies integrity, professionalism, and a dedication to community well-being.

The ideal candidate will possess an undergraduate degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, or a related discipline, complemented by at least five years of progressive leadership experience in a regulatory, compliance, or municipal setting. They bring exceptional communication and stakeholder engagement skills, a strong understanding of municipal legislation and by-laws, and the ability to lead change in a dynamic environment.

Skills and Attributes

• Strategic Regulatory Leadership – Demonstrates deep expertise in municipal compliance, licensing, and by-law enforcement, with the ability to align regulatory programs to HRM’s strategic priorities and community vision.
• Collaborative and Influential – Builds and sustains productive relationships with elected officials, internal departments, community organizations, and provincial and federal agencies to achieve shared outcomes and strengthen public trust.
• Analytical and Decisive – Applies strong analytical, problem-solving, and critical-thinking skills to assess complex regulatory and operational issues, ensuring decisions are evidence-based, transparent, and defensible.
• Inclusive People Leadership – Leads diverse teams with empathy, fairness, and accountability, fostering a culture of inclusion, respect, and continuous development that empowers staff to deliver exceptional public service.
• Operational and Financial Acumen – Possesses sound understanding of budget management, performance measurement, and resource allocation to ensure programs are financially sustainable, efficient, and outcomes-focused.
• Change and Innovation Advocate – Champions modernization of enforcement and compliance practices through technology, data-driven insights, and community engagement to enhance service quality and responsiveness.
• Ethical and Community-Focused – Demonstrates integrity, fairness, and a strong commitment to community well-being, ensuring public interest and safety remain central to all decisions and operations.

How we do what we do
The core competencies needed for success in this role:
Valuing Diversity
Visioning, Strategic Thinking & Innovation
Decision Making
Networking & Relationship Building
Developing Others
Managing Change
Values & Ethics
Organizational Awareness
Communication 

Salary: Non-union Level 10, $128,850 to 157,480 per annum. Salary will be commensurate with education and experience.

Work Location: Alderney Gate, 40 Alderney Drive, Dartmouth, NS B2Y 2N5.

We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those applicants moving forward in the recruitment process will be contacted.

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 recruiter when invited to the assessment process. For more information on our accommodation process please click on the link below:
Accommodations | Hiring | Employment | Halifax

For more information on this opportunity, please contact Dilruba Hussain, Talent Acquisition Specialist, at [email protected] or click “Apply to job” below to submit your application package by 11:59 pm on Thursday, November 06, 2025

(position #78639774)