Director, Land Management Services – LAN000327

The Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture works to enable a prosperous, market driven agricultural industry through a supportive legislative framework, policies, programs, and services. Within the Ministry, the Lands Branch is responsible for managing agricultural Crown lands, which include large tracts of grazing land currently under lease. In addition, our team administers non-agricultural dispositions such as petroleum and gas, sand and gravel, and miscellaneous land uses.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Lands Branch is seeking a collaborative, highly motivated, experienced and passionate leader with strong communication and coaching skills and experience in organization design to lead a team of Land Management Directors as well as a Business Administration Manager.

The Opportunity

Reporting directly to the Executive Director, you will lead a group of directors and managers in managing Crown agricultural land and providing service excellence to our clients – farmers, ranchers, agribusinesses and industry.

This position:

• Leads coordination of land management delivery and issue management within the Lands Branch to ensure all Regions and teams work efficiently as a branch and that client service and program effectiveness is maximized.
• Collaborates with the Executive Director on Branch initiatives and key priorities to ensure the branch plans align with the Ministry Strategic plan and Ministry strategies.
• Provides leadership to sector specific directors and managers in the co-ordination of province wide programming within an assigned sector area, to ensure efficiencies and cross-region effectiveness is maximized.
• Provides guidance, direction, leadership and collaboration to the Land Management Directors and Business Administration Manager in the development and delivery of services and programs to ensure the sector’s plans align with the Ministry strategic plan and Ministry strategies.
• Provides leadership in building a high performance organization by creating a culture that fosters appreciation and our Ministry values of Innovation, Teamwork, Integrity, Service Excellence and Leadership at all Levels.
• Provides internal and external leadership and serves as a liaison with industry to identify priorities, needs and gaps.
• Builds strategic partnerships and working arrangements with key industry groups/agencies, agri-business, ministry branches, and private companies and their consultants that will result in synergies and increased program effectiveness and efficiencies.
• Establishes, implements and monitors an accountability framework that includes performance measures and service standards.
• Has the authority to assign work, set deadlines and contribute to the performance evaluation of individuals.

Ideal Candidate

The Ministry’s deep-rooted values system of Innovation, Teamwork, Integrity, Service Excellence, and Leadership at all levels serve as the foundation of our ministry’s culture – we are recognized as a high performing organization. As our candidate of choice, you are a strategic thinker and a proven leader who has experience leading a diverse team of professionals.

• You have an understanding of the issues and trends affecting the local Western Canadian agriculture and agri-business sectors, including oil and gas and sand and gravel industries, and familiarity with irrigation in Saskatchewan.
• You are expected to be a collaborative member of the Lands leadership team and will contribute to, and drive forward, the strategic direction of the ministry and branch with a clear focus on the Saskatchewan Growth Plan targets, our clients and our stakeholders.
• As an innovator, you will identify opportunities for efficiencies, while taking responsible risks as a champion for change.
• You will ensure safety and employee health and well-being are a priority and you will hold yourself and others accountable for their behaviours and work achievements.
• Have well-developed written and oral communication skills and the ability to work with, and influence, a variety of stakeholders.
• Lead, coach and direct a team of talented professionals and collaborate with others.

Typically, the knowledge and experience required for this position were obtained through a combination of:

• A degree in agriculture or a related discipline;
• Extensive leadership experience; and
• A combination of education and experience.

What We Offer:

• Dynamic, challenging work for talented individuals;
• A competitive salary;
• Comprehensive benefits package including pension;
• Vacation, scheduled days off (SDO) and other types of leave (maternity/paternity/adoption, family/personal leave, sick leave);
• Inclusive work environments;
• Advancement opportunities; and
• Flexible work arrangements.

To learn more about The Ministry of Agriculture, please visit our website: http://www.saskatchewan.ca/business/agriculture-natural-resources-and-industry/agribusiness-farmers-and-ranchers.

Closing: April 11, 2025