Director, River Valley and Horticultural Facilities
About the role
Job Number**:** 53603
Lead a multi-million dollar portfolio and a large workforce responsible for the daily experience of thousands of Edmontonians!
The Community Recreation and Culture Branch operates with a facility-focused output model, holding responsibility and accountability for all municipal recreation facilities, major attractions, river valley attractions, civic events and partnerships, cemeteries, golf courses, community recreation and sport centres, arenas, and leisure centers.
Reporting to the Branch Manager of Community Recreation and Culture, the Director will have comprehensive responsibility for the strategic leadership of a large and diverse municipal portfolio, which may adjust based on evolving Branch priorities. The Director will provide strategic and operational oversight for the River Valley Parks and Facilities, ensuring the animation of these spaces, managing seasonal amenities, and supporting hundreds of community events. This role will also serve as the Onsite Director for the Muttart Conservatory and provide strategic leadership for the municipal Golf Courses and driving range. Additionally, the Director will guide the overall strategic direction for Cemetery Sales and operations across 7 municipal cemeteries. This position focuses on determining the overall strategic direction for all lines of business including operations, programs, events, and partner/vendor services. This senior position manages a substantial financial portfolio and leads a large workforce, with
What will you do?
- Inspire and empower team members through effective mentorship, clear communication, and a commitment to foster a positive and inclusive work environment
- Drive innovation by developing and presenting compelling proposals and action plans for strategic initiatives, encompassing process and program evolution, optimal staffing, and visionary facility planning and development
- Directly negotiate and finalize all facility-based contracts and agreements
- Drive revenue growth and attendance within this portfolio and across the Branch. Provide leadership and direction to the team in creating, developing, implementing, and evaluating strategic initiatives focused on business expansion
- Establish a superior customer service culture and lead the development and implementation of a comprehensive customer service policy, standards, and training program for all personnel
Qualifications:
- Experience, knowledge, training, and/or education in Recreation Administration, Parks Management, Business Administration, Arts, Horticulture, Science or a related field
- Leadership experience in recreation, park management, facility management or other related disciplines within a large complex organization
- Advanced knowledge of and experience with park and facility management operations
- Extensive knowledge related to program and event planning and coordination, project administration and management
- Experience and previous focus on providing a safe, healthy and productive facility environment, building systems and operations, marketing and communications
- Experience with contract and agreement development, evaluations, implementation and monitoring
- Direct experience liaising with partner, community groups, and inter-departmental teams along with knowledge of the community involvement process
- Thorough knowledge of financial management principles, financial planning and budget processes
- Combinations of education and experience will be considered
Skills Required for Success:
- Demonstrated leadership abilities to cultivate focus, engagement, and commitment within diverse and complex environments
- Ability to cultivate strong relationships across diverse teams and partners, fostering collaboration, trust, and mutual respect
- Expertise in professional service delivery and project execution
- Flexibility to navigate shifting priorities, maintain resilience, and lead inclusively amidst evolving landscapes
- Results-driven approach inclusive of strategy development and performance management
- Proficient negotiation, problem-solving, and conflict resolution skills for inclusive decision-making
- Alignment to our Cultural Commitments and Leadership Competencies (https://bit.ly/4brRrXm)
- Embracing a culture of equity, diversity, reconciliation and inclusion
Conditions of Employment and Work Environment:
- 1 permanent, full-time position
- Hours of Work: 36.9 hours per week, Monday - Friday. This position may require work outside of regular hours and could require occasional evening and weekend availability
- Salary: (Annually) $142,206.08 - $177,758.62
- Hire is dependent on Criminal Information Check satisfactory to the City of Edmonton. There may be a cost associated with this requirement
The City of Edmonton values applicants with a diverse range of skills, experiences and competencies, and encourages you to apply. We strive to provide reasonable access and accommodations throughout the recruitment process. To request an accommodation, please contact employment@edmonton.ca**. Learn more about our benefits** https://bit.ly/COEbenefits**.**
Talent sourced through this process may be considered for similar opportunities within the City of Edmonton.
Recruitment Consultant: JM/SB
Edmonton rests in the heart of Treaty Six territory in Alberta and the homelands of the Metis Nation.
Classification Title**:** ML4
Posting Date**:** Oct 27, 2025
Closing Date**:** Nov. 16, 2025 11:59:00 PM (MST)
Number of Openings (up to)****: 1 - Permanent Full-time
Union : Management
Department**:** Community Recreation and Culture
Work Location(s)****: Muttart Conservatory, 9626 - 96A St Edmonton T6C 4L8
About City of Edmonton
We’re young, ambitious and building something extraordinary. Located on Treaty 6 Territory and with a population of over one million, Edmonton is one of Canada's youngest and fastest growing cities. We’re building a resilient and diverse economy, attracting the best and the brightest and striving to be a world leader in environmental sustainability. We value quality of life, community safety and a welcoming spirit that embraces new people and new ideas.
Director, River Valley and Horticultural Facilities
About the role
Job Number**:** 53603
Lead a multi-million dollar portfolio and a large workforce responsible for the daily experience of thousands of Edmontonians!
The Community Recreation and Culture Branch operates with a facility-focused output model, holding responsibility and accountability for all municipal recreation facilities, major attractions, river valley attractions, civic events and partnerships, cemeteries, golf courses, community recreation and sport centres, arenas, and leisure centers.
Reporting to the Branch Manager of Community Recreation and Culture, the Director will have comprehensive responsibility for the strategic leadership of a large and diverse municipal portfolio, which may adjust based on evolving Branch priorities. The Director will provide strategic and operational oversight for the River Valley Parks and Facilities, ensuring the animation of these spaces, managing seasonal amenities, and supporting hundreds of community events. This role will also serve as the Onsite Director for the Muttart Conservatory and provide strategic leadership for the municipal Golf Courses and driving range. Additionally, the Director will guide the overall strategic direction for Cemetery Sales and operations across 7 municipal cemeteries. This position focuses on determining the overall strategic direction for all lines of business including operations, programs, events, and partner/vendor services. This senior position manages a substantial financial portfolio and leads a large workforce, with
What will you do?
- Inspire and empower team members through effective mentorship, clear communication, and a commitment to foster a positive and inclusive work environment
- Drive innovation by developing and presenting compelling proposals and action plans for strategic initiatives, encompassing process and program evolution, optimal staffing, and visionary facility planning and development
- Directly negotiate and finalize all facility-based contracts and agreements
- Drive revenue growth and attendance within this portfolio and across the Branch. Provide leadership and direction to the team in creating, developing, implementing, and evaluating strategic initiatives focused on business expansion
- Establish a superior customer service culture and lead the development and implementation of a comprehensive customer service policy, standards, and training program for all personnel
Qualifications:
- Experience, knowledge, training, and/or education in Recreation Administration, Parks Management, Business Administration, Arts, Horticulture, Science or a related field
- Leadership experience in recreation, park management, facility management or other related disciplines within a large complex organization
- Advanced knowledge of and experience with park and facility management operations
- Extensive knowledge related to program and event planning and coordination, project administration and management
- Experience and previous focus on providing a safe, healthy and productive facility environment, building systems and operations, marketing and communications
- Experience with contract and agreement development, evaluations, implementation and monitoring
- Direct experience liaising with partner, community groups, and inter-departmental teams along with knowledge of the community involvement process
- Thorough knowledge of financial management principles, financial planning and budget processes
- Combinations of education and experience will be considered
Skills Required for Success:
- Demonstrated leadership abilities to cultivate focus, engagement, and commitment within diverse and complex environments
- Ability to cultivate strong relationships across diverse teams and partners, fostering collaboration, trust, and mutual respect
- Expertise in professional service delivery and project execution
- Flexibility to navigate shifting priorities, maintain resilience, and lead inclusively amidst evolving landscapes
- Results-driven approach inclusive of strategy development and performance management
- Proficient negotiation, problem-solving, and conflict resolution skills for inclusive decision-making
- Alignment to our Cultural Commitments and Leadership Competencies (https://bit.ly/4brRrXm)
- Embracing a culture of equity, diversity, reconciliation and inclusion
Conditions of Employment and Work Environment:
- 1 permanent, full-time position
- Hours of Work: 36.9 hours per week, Monday - Friday. This position may require work outside of regular hours and could require occasional evening and weekend availability
- Salary: (Annually) $142,206.08 - $177,758.62
- Hire is dependent on Criminal Information Check satisfactory to the City of Edmonton. There may be a cost associated with this requirement
The City of Edmonton values applicants with a diverse range of skills, experiences and competencies, and encourages you to apply. We strive to provide reasonable access and accommodations throughout the recruitment process. To request an accommodation, please contact employment@edmonton.ca**. Learn more about our benefits** https://bit.ly/COEbenefits**.**
Talent sourced through this process may be considered for similar opportunities within the City of Edmonton.
Recruitment Consultant: JM/SB
Edmonton rests in the heart of Treaty Six territory in Alberta and the homelands of the Metis Nation.
Classification Title**:** ML4
Posting Date**:** Oct 27, 2025
Closing Date**:** Nov. 16, 2025 11:59:00 PM (MST)
Number of Openings (up to)****: 1 - Permanent Full-time
Union : Management
Department**:** Community Recreation and Culture
Work Location(s)****: Muttart Conservatory, 9626 - 96A St Edmonton T6C 4L8
About City of Edmonton
We’re young, ambitious and building something extraordinary. Located on Treaty 6 Territory and with a population of over one million, Edmonton is one of Canada's youngest and fastest growing cities. We’re building a resilient and diverse economy, attracting the best and the brightest and striving to be a world leader in environmental sustainability. We value quality of life, community safety and a welcoming spirit that embraces new people and new ideas.