As a Director of Administration, you provide strategic leadership and direction for administrative services within Department of National Defence civilian operations. You oversee the planning, development, and delivery of administrative programs and services that support organizational objectives and enable operational effectiveness. This role involves managing teams, budgets, and administrative processes while ensuring compliance with Treasury Board policies and DND directives.
Your responsibilities include developing administrative policies and procedures, managing human resources matters, coordinating financial and material resources, and ensuring effective communication across departments. You serve as a key advisor to senior management on administrative issues and represent your branch or directorate in cross-functional initiatives. You work collaboratively with other government departments and external stakeholders to achieve shared goals.
Directors of Administration work in a dynamic federal environment where you balance operational demands with strategic planning. You may work in DND headquarters in Ottawa or at one of many defence establishments across Canada. The role requires strong organizational skills, sound judgment, and the ability to manage competing priorities in a complex bureaucratic structure.
Key Responsibilities
Plan and manage the delivery of general administration services and programs, Supervise and develop staff within the general administration team, Monitor performance metrics and report on results, Develop and implement operational plans and procedures, Manage stakeholder relationships and ensure service quality
Required Skills
Organizational skills, Written and oral communication, MS Office proficiency, Time management, Attention to detail, Team leadership, Operational planning, Stakeholder engagement, Results management
Typical Education
Bachelor's degree or equivalent; significant experience in the relevant discipline with demonstrated leadership
Training
To qualify for a Director of Administration position, you typically need a bachelor's degree in business administration, public administration, management, or a related field. Many successful candidates hold a master's degree in public administration (MPA) or business administration (MBA). Professional certifications such as the Certified Administrative Manager (CAM) designation or membership in professional associations like the Canadian Association of Administrative Professionals (CAAP) are valued but not required.
DND provides extensive professional development opportunities for directors, including leadership training, executive coaching, and specialized programs through the Canadian Forces College and the Public Service Commission. You may pursue additional certifications in project management (PMP), human resources management, or financial administration. Continuing education is encouraged to stay current with evolving government policies, technological changes, and best practices in administrative leadership.
Entry Plans
Most candidates enter the Director - Administration classification through several pathways: competitive public service competitions advertised on the Public Service Commission website, lateral transfers from other federal departments at equivalent or lower levels, or promotion from within DND from lower administrative classifications (typically AS-04 or AS-05 level). DND also participates in federal management development programs that identify and prepare mid-level public servants for director-level appointments.
To compete, you must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, obtain security clearance (usually Reliability or Secret level), and meet the stated education and experience requirements in the competition notice. Previous experience in government administration, demonstrated leadership of teams, and knowledge of federal policies and Treasury Board requirements are essential. Internal candidates may apply through priority pools or targeted recruitment initiatives within DND.
Part-Time Options
Director positions are typically full-time permanent roles due to the strategic and supervisory nature of the responsibilities. However, DND offers flexible work arrangements for directors in some circumstances, including compressed work weeks, flexible hours, and telework options, subject to operational requirements and manager approval. The extent of flexibility depends on the specific work location and administrative function.
Remote work for directors is generally limited to certain administrative duties and may include working from home one or more days per week for activities such as strategic planning, report writing, and meetings that can be conducted virtually. Directors are expected to maintain a regular presence at their duty location to provide leadership, conduct performance management, and ensure team cohesion. Any part-time arrangements would require agreement with senior management and would be subject to the operational needs of the branch or directorate.
Related Careers
No related military careers on file for this position.
