Director, Public Prosecution Service
The Public Prosecution Service (PPS) of Nova Scotia was established in 1990 as the first statutorily based independent prosecution service in Canada, born out of the Marshall Inquiry. The PPS acts on behalf of the Attorney General of Nova Scotia in the discharge of her criminal law mandate by prosecuting offences, and by providing legal advice to law enforcement agencies in Nova Scotia.
The Director of PPS oversees the prosecution of offences to ensure the transparency and integrity of the criminal justice system and is the lawful deputy of the Attorney General of Nova Scotia for the purpose of exercising the powers and performing the duties under the Public Prosecutions Act (Act). The Director plays a central role in safeguarding public confidence in the justice system, ensuring that prosecutions are conducted lawfully, without bias, and in the public interest.
The Opportunity
The Government of Nova Scotia is seeking a dynamic and respected leader to serve as Director, Public Prosecution Service. This is a rare chance to lead an organization with core responsibilities for upholding justice, equity, and the rule of law in the province. Accountable to the public through the Attorney General of Nova Scotia, the Director is the statutory head of PPS and holds a non-renewable seven-year appointment. The role demands strong strategic leadership in managing a complex public institution, alongside legal acumen, with an emphasis on system-wide thinking and proactive engagement.
As Director you will be responsible to perform the duties set out under section four of the Act. You will provide strategic leadership and oversight for the PPS with accountability to the Attorney General for the effective management of human resources and financial operations. This includes ensuring alignment with government-wide policies, legislative frameworks, collective agreements, and regulatory standards.
You will lead Crown Attorneys and their teams within a unionized environment, driving performance and fostering cohesion across regions and practice areas. Your role will ensure timely, constitutionally sound guidance to law enforcement, while safeguarding the independence of prosecutions from political or external influence. As Director, you will also serve as an essential liaison with key partners across the criminal justice system and government, fostering collaborative relationships with various divisions within the Department of Justice, as well as with law enforcement and Nova Scotian communities (including Mi’kmaq communities, African Nova Scotians, racialized groups, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups) to ensure fairness is central to PPS’s operations and public perception. You will lead in the development and implementation of policy and practice that support consistency, transparency, ethical decision-making, and community trust.
You will be a leader who fosters a culture of integrity, accountability, inclusion, and innovation in all that you do.
Key Responsibilities
Along with a strong track record of progressive leadership experience at the senior executive level in a public or private sector organization, as the ideal candidate, you are a seasoned barrister, with at least ten (10) years standing at the Bar of Nova Scotia (or equivalent if from another province, with eligibility for membership in Nova Scotia). You bring a combination of deep experience in criminal law and litigation at senior levels with a considerable grounding in statute work, constitutional issues, and prosecutorial discretion. With an adept ability to foster a unified culture, you have led through change, and are known for adapting to evolving legal, social, and political expectations, and have demonstrated skill in managing complex teams with varied talents and responsibilities. You exhibit exceptional judgment, fairness, and the personal credibility to uphold public trust. You are someone who has shown a commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and anti-racism, and who will actively foster a culture where diverse voices are heard, staff feel supported, and deliver service responsive to the needs of all Nova Scotians.
This is a highly visible role, requiring excellent communication skills, sound ethical decision-making, and the ability to lead digital modernization efforts and balance operational demands with strategic vision.
How to Apply
If you believe you are the leader to guide PPS into its next chapter, we want to hear from you. Please submit your application online using the "Apply Now" button below. For further information or discussions in confidence, please contact Katherine Risley (krisley@kbrs.ca), Daniella Sam (dsam@kbrs.ca), or Erin MacDonald (emacdonald@kbrs.ca).
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 application.
KBRS and the Government of Nova Scotia will provide support in the recruitment process, including accommodations that consider applicants’ accessibility needs. If you require accommodation at any stage, please contact accommodate@kbrs.ca or communicate your needs directly to our team.
The Director of PPS oversees the prosecution of offences to ensure the transparency and integrity of the criminal justice system and is the lawful deputy of the Attorney General of Nova Scotia for the purpose of exercising the powers and performing the duties under the Public Prosecutions Act (Act). The Director plays a central role in safeguarding public confidence in the justice system, ensuring that prosecutions are conducted lawfully, without bias, and in the public interest.
The Opportunity
The Government of Nova Scotia is seeking a dynamic and respected leader to serve as Director, Public Prosecution Service. This is a rare chance to lead an organization with core responsibilities for upholding justice, equity, and the rule of law in the province. Accountable to the public through the Attorney General of Nova Scotia, the Director is the statutory head of PPS and holds a non-renewable seven-year appointment. The role demands strong strategic leadership in managing a complex public institution, alongside legal acumen, with an emphasis on system-wide thinking and proactive engagement.
As Director you will be responsible to perform the duties set out under section four of the Act. You will provide strategic leadership and oversight for the PPS with accountability to the Attorney General for the effective management of human resources and financial operations. This includes ensuring alignment with government-wide policies, legislative frameworks, collective agreements, and regulatory standards.
You will lead Crown Attorneys and their teams within a unionized environment, driving performance and fostering cohesion across regions and practice areas. Your role will ensure timely, constitutionally sound guidance to law enforcement, while safeguarding the independence of prosecutions from political or external influence. As Director, you will also serve as an essential liaison with key partners across the criminal justice system and government, fostering collaborative relationships with various divisions within the Department of Justice, as well as with law enforcement and Nova Scotian communities (including Mi’kmaq communities, African Nova Scotians, racialized groups, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups) to ensure fairness is central to PPS’s operations and public perception. You will lead in the development and implementation of policy and practice that support consistency, transparency, ethical decision-making, and community trust.
You will be a leader who fosters a culture of integrity, accountability, inclusion, and innovation in all that you do.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the strategic direction of PPS as a highly professional, independent, and accessible prosecution service.
- Oversee prosecutions within the jurisdiction of the Attorney General and fulfill the duties of the Public Prosecutions Act.
- Provide positive, visible leadership to Crown prosecutors and staff across the province, fostering a culture of excellence, accountability, and inclusion.
- Ensure PPS policies, directives, and practices support fairness and consistency in the application of criminal law.
- Manage the organization’s financial, human resources, performance, and risk frameworks.
- Build and sustain relationships with justice partners, law enforcement, government leaders, and community partners, including equity-deserving communities, to champion improvements in the delivery of justice.
Along with a strong track record of progressive leadership experience at the senior executive level in a public or private sector organization, as the ideal candidate, you are a seasoned barrister, with at least ten (10) years standing at the Bar of Nova Scotia (or equivalent if from another province, with eligibility for membership in Nova Scotia). You bring a combination of deep experience in criminal law and litigation at senior levels with a considerable grounding in statute work, constitutional issues, and prosecutorial discretion. With an adept ability to foster a unified culture, you have led through change, and are known for adapting to evolving legal, social, and political expectations, and have demonstrated skill in managing complex teams with varied talents and responsibilities. You exhibit exceptional judgment, fairness, and the personal credibility to uphold public trust. You are someone who has shown a commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and anti-racism, and who will actively foster a culture where diverse voices are heard, staff feel supported, and deliver service responsive to the needs of all Nova Scotians.
This is a highly visible role, requiring excellent communication skills, sound ethical decision-making, and the ability to lead digital modernization efforts and balance operational demands with strategic vision.
How to Apply
If you believe you are the leader to guide PPS into its next chapter, we want to hear from you. Please submit your application online using the "Apply Now" button below. For further information or discussions in confidence, please contact Katherine Risley (krisley@kbrs.ca), Daniella Sam (dsam@kbrs.ca), or Erin MacDonald (emacdonald@kbrs.ca).
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 application.
KBRS and the Government of Nova Scotia will provide support in the recruitment process, including accommodations that consider applicants’ accessibility needs. If you require accommodation at any stage, please contact accommodate@kbrs.ca or communicate your needs directly to our team.