ABOUT US

The City of Spruce Grove is a fast growing, dynamic city committed to building and maintaining a fiscally responsible community that serves our residents, attracts visitors, and promotes future growth.

The “Values, We Live By” are accountability, communication, leadership, integrity, and respect while we work towards maintaining a work/play balance.

We are an organization that cares, an organization that is committed to our city and committed to you. The City of Spruce Grove is committed to public service, where everyone feels empowered to contribute their best work. We believe that by working together in a spirit of collaboration and respect, we can achieve great things.

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Program and Event Manager is a key member of the Recreation and Culture leadership team, responsible for strategically planning, guiding, and evaluating programs and events that enrich community life. These initiatives and services may take place in City-owned facilities, open spaces, or with partners and in other venues.

Providing leadership and oversight to program and event staff through clear standards and priorities, the Manager ensures high-quality recreation, sport, arts, culture, and community events that align with community needs and corporate priorities. Acting as the City’s liaison with internal teams and external partners, this role provides strategic direction in program development to address service gaps and emerging opportunities. This position also provides leadership and oversight to community-initiated special events, related processes and permitting.

Active engagement in regional networks and industry trends is essential to guide innovation and maintain excellence in program delivery.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Leadership

• Interpret and contribute to corporate, divisional, and departmental business plans, providing strategic direction to staff, community organizations, and contracted partners.

• Provide information, referral, and advocacy services related to sport, recreation, arts, culture, and other community needs and initiatives.

• Guide and mentor staff in service delivery, applying knowledge of community needs assessment, facilitation, program and event planning cycles, outcome measurement, evaluation, and applicable legislation.

• Determine priorities with staff and leadership, delegating work activities and tasks to ensure effective delivery.

• Oversee and coordinate larger program and event projects.

• Leverage and align resources to address areas of greatest community and organizational need.

• Assess the applicability of proposed initiatives and services within the corporate service delivery model.

• Recommend policy changes related to service levels and program direction.

• Actively participate as a member of the Recreation and Culture Leadership Team informing department priorities and planning.

• Serve as a conduit of corporate directions, priorities, and processes to staff working directly with the community.

• Direct the development and implementation of plans, policies, procedures, projects, and initiatives to address corporate, community, facility, and public safety needs.

• Participate in interdepartmental planning to maintain, operate, and develop neighbourhood facilities that align with community needs.

• Build and sustain strong relationships with stakeholders and delivery partners, including sport, recreation, arts, culture, businesses, not-for-profits, and school boards.

• Advocate for the benefits and outcomes of programming and events across areas such as performing and visual arts, diversity, inclusion, equity, recreation, sport, wellness, and community events.

• Lead and provide oversight for the corporate Program Policy and related tools that guide program development and delivery.

• Provide leadership and oversight to community-initiated special events, related processes and permitting.

• Establish effective working relationships with City staff across departments.

• Contribute to long-term planning and development of community spaces, programs, services, and events with a recreation and culture perspective.

• Provide strategic advice to supervisors, leadership teams, and senior management on emerging issues, opportunities, and needs in recreation and culture.

• Identify major departmental issues or opportunities and recommend studies or reviews to address them.

• Analyze and improve operational work processes to enhance workflow and service delivery.

• Review and draft policies and procedures related to program delivery.

Supervision

• Hire, supervise, coach, and mentor program and event staff, and where appropriate, volunteers, in alignment with corporate and departmental standards.

• Manage daily operations of the Program and Events Section, setting goals, making staffing decisions, and fostering a culture of teamwork and accountability.

• Provide ongoing coaching, training, and professional development opportunities to staff through performance management, individual development plans, and access to seminars, courses, and conferences.

• Conduct regular team meetings to strengthen communication, share best practices, resolve issues, and enhance collaboration.

• Complete performance reviews and liaise with supervisors and Human Resources regarding personnel and payroll matters.

• Promote a safe, respectful, and harassment-free workplace environment.

• Support continuous improvement by encouraging self-assessment, innovation, and efficiency in service delivery.

• Oversee scheduling for staff, volunteers, contractors, and service providers to ensure program quality, efficiency, safety, and customer experience expectations are met.

• Delegate operational authority where appropriate, while maintaining accountability for service quality and outcomes.

Program and Event Development & Planning

• Oversee directly delivered programs, events, and services in recreation, fitness, wellness, sport, performing and visual arts, multicultural, and community events.

• Oversee the development and implementation of corporate public art and program policies and procedures.

• Oversee the management and preservation of the Spruce Grove Visual Art Lending Program.

• Prepare reports and identify resources to support the long-term sustainability of program and event initiatives in the City.

• Oversee the development and implementation of diverse performing art opportunities within the city including, but not limited to, Horzion Stage, Black Box Theatre, Outdoor Concert series and City events.

• Identify opportunities for year-round use of City facilities and open spaces for programming and events.

• Collaborate with internal departments, regional partners, and stakeholders to ensure consistent quality, complementary programming, and optimal service delivery.

• Coordinate planning and implementation of programs and events, acting as a liaison between facility operations, community agencies, and businesses.

• Facilitate community engagement and information gathering to guide new program and event development.

• Lead assessments to identify program needs, gaps, and opportunities with user groups, schools, businesses, and residents.

• Analyze program variety, participation, and market segments to ensure offerings remain responsive to community needs and trends.

• Monitor and evaluate program delivery to ensure cost-effectiveness and alignment with corporate priorities and community needs.

• Approve staff-developed programs and events within the service delivery model and program policy framework.

• Remain engaged with research, professional associations, and provincial/national initiatives to guide service innovation.

• Consider cross-facility and cross-community impacts when developing programs and services.

• Resolve challenges related to facility bookings and coordination.

• Recommend changes to the Joint Use Agreement as needed, based on documented issues and resolutions.

• In collaboration with the Facility Operations Manager, recommend equitable access to program areas among public, school, and user groups.

Risk Management & Safety

• Ensure staff are properly trained to meet emergency, health, and workplace safety requirements.

• Oversee the development and implementation of risk management and safety programs consistent with City standards, policies, and applicable provincial and federal legislation.

• Promote and maintain a positive safety culture by modeling safe practices, ensuring staff compliance, and addressing unsafe behaviours.

• Recommend appropriate consequences for unsafe or inappropriate behaviour, up to and including police involvement and facility expulsion, in consultation with supervisors.

• Ensure timely reporting of health and safety incidents, near misses, and hazards, and participate in regular safety meetings and training.

• Comply with all corporate policies, procedures, and legislative requirements, ensuring consistent application within program and facility operations.

Budget & Administration

• Leverage and align resources to address areas of greatest community need and corporate priority.

• Develop and propose annual budget recommendations for programs and events, including staffing, training, and marketing requirements.

• Prepare and contribute to business plans and budgets, accounting for capital projects, equipment repair/replacement, program expenditures, and administrative needs.

• Manage assigned budgets, ensuring revenues and expenditures remain within approved guidelines; monitor and report on variances monthly.

• Coordinate and approve program-related purchasing, preparing proposals and cost estimates for budget approval.

• Recommend special rental rates for unique or major programs and events, based on corporate priorities, frameworks, plans, and defensible rationale.

Contract Development & Management

• Establish and manage relationships with recreation, sport, arts, and culture groups, community organizations, and contractors to support the use and development of community facilities.

• Provide oversight on the retention, coordination, and program and event contractors (e.g., performers, artists, technical support) to deliver specialized or short-term projects in alignment with City policy.

• Provide oversight and accountability to ensure contract outcomes, deliverables, and reporting requirements are met.

• Collaborate with other departments and divisions to develop and evaluate requests for proposals (RFPs) and tenders for assigned projects and initiatives.

• Draft, execute, and manage contracts and permits, including license to occupy agreements, leases, sponsorships, grants, and special event permits, in consultation with Corporate Services.

Communications, Public Relations & Marketing

• Oversee program and event marketing, promotion, and programming initiatives to maximize community access, participation, and, where applicable, revenue.

• Contribute to and monitor the development of marketing and promotional strategies and content, supporting the creation of effective tools that raise community awareness of recreation, health, arts, and cultural opportunities.

• Approve content for media releases and public messaging related to programs and events, ensuring alignment with corporate standards and practices.

• Make presentations to Council, Council Committees and other identified community groups, as required.

• Manage public behavior and support conflict resolution at programs and events through direct action and supervision of program staff.

• Assess stakeholder feedback on current services and future needs to inform program planning and communications strategies.

• Provide professional, relevant public information, education, referral, and advocacy to advance awareness of the benefits of community participation.

Other Duties

• Demonstrate knowledge of City bylaws, policies, statutory and service plans, and adhere to established corporate standards and decision-making processes.
• Maintain professional and technical knowledge through workshops, seminars, professional networks, and participation in relevant associations.
• Represent the City with professionalism, modeling corporate values, behaviours, and standards, including required uniforms or identification.
• Provide day-to-day leadership for health and safety, ensuring compliance with reporting requirements, promoting a positive safety culture, and making every reasonable effort to protect staff and volunteers.
• Act as a steward of the City’s Corporate Culture by upholding organizational values in daily work.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required Qualifications

• Post-secondary degree in Recreation Sciences, Arts and Culture Management, Arts Administration, Performing Arts, or a related discipline, with 7–8 years of progressively responsible experience in recreation, culture, or performing arts administration. A related College/Technical Diploma with a minimum of 10 years of relevant experience will also be considered.

• Demonstrated experience in recreation, culture, and performing arts program administration, and/or event management in a municipal context.

• Proven ability to lead staff and volunteers, providing training, development, recognition, and mentorship in alignment with corporate policies and community priorities.

• Background or experience in the performing arts sector, with knowledge of stage operations, technical support, and artist/contractor relations.

• Understanding and experience in programming for children and youth, (E.g. Youth Developmental Assets Framework, Fundamental Movement Skills, High 5)

• Experience in community development, strategic planning, and public participation, with the ability to assess needs, identify gaps, and develop innovative solutions.

• Financial management and contract administration skills, including budget preparation, monitoring, and reporting, as well as negotiating and managing service agreements, sponsorships, and event contracts.

• Customer service orientation with the ability to build and maintain positive relationships with community organizations, businesses, school boards, contractors, and regional partners.

• Knowledge and application of equity, diversity, and inclusion principles in program and event development.

• Advanced communication, interpersonal, and public relations skills, including the ability to represent the City in highly sensitive situations and public forums.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

• Ability to work effectively both independently and collaboratively within a multifaceted team environment.

• Effective analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills, with the capacity to adapt to changing priorities and manage stress effectively.

• Understanding and interpretation of relevant legislation, bylaws, corporate policies, and procedures, with the ability to apply them to program and event operations.

Asset Qualifications

• Event Management Certificate

• First Aid

• Emergency

Competencies
Thinking & Acting Strategically - Forward-thinking. Sees the big picture and imagines the future. Links long-range visions, strategies, and concepts to daily work. Aligns personal actions and initiatives with customer needs, and with organizational priorities and direction. To think and act strategically requires an understanding of our organizational direction, as well as the internal and external factors that influence decision-making.

Building Influential Working Relationships - Strengthening and developing working relationships and strategic alliances that are founded on ethics, trust, and guided by our corporate values of respect, leadership, accountability, communication, and integrity.

Optimizing Performance & Results - Reaches for excellence for oneself, one’s team, and the organization. Determined and focused on achieving outcomes that align with organizational goals. Creates goals and priorities that maximize resources while using an enterprising, resourceful approach to deliver outcomes and achieve customer expectations. Maintains accountability for results.

Growing Talent & Workforce Capacity - Honouring the individual differences that make each person unique. Being curious and committed to listening, reflecting, and learning. Developing individual and workforce capabilities to enhance the organization’s capacity to accomplish strategic goals, enhance program and service delivery, and provide an exceptional customer/client experience. Contributes to a learning and teaching culture.

Fostering Innovation & Steering Change – Creates an environment for transformation. Advances the City through improvement based on innovation and guides the associated change. Uses the skills, attitudes and behaviours needed to produce new or improved programs and services to meet current and future needs of our customers, our organization, and our community.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Driver’s License – must obtain a satisfactory review of a three-year Driver’s Abstract

• Criminal Record and Vulnerable Record Check Clearance

• Standard First Aid

Physical Requirements

• Climbing ladders, balancing, crawling, crouching, depth perception/night, lifting, pushing, reaching (both arms), use of feet (for control), pulling, outside work.

• Lifting to 10kg (22 lbs).

Working Environment

• Monday to Friday
• Hours of Work: 8:30am to 4:30pm
• Some evenings and weekend work may be required due to scheduling of programs and events.
• Overtime may be required
• Travel is required

NEXT STEPS

• You must apply through this portal to be considered. We do not accept applications through other forums.
• Only those candidates selected for further consideration will be contacted.
• Candidates may be interviewed as applications are received.
• The posting may be used to staff other permanent or temporary vacancies.

WHY WORK FOR US?

• Competitive annual salary
• Pension
• Wellness Initiatives
• Work/Life Balance
• Recognized General Holidays
• Leave Options
• Flexible Work Arrangements
• Positive Work Atmosphere
• Employee Awards
• Volunteer and Fundraising Opportunities
• Professional Development

Company

City of Spruce Grove

Location

Community and Protective Services - Recreation and Culture - Programs and Events

Opening Date

Oct 02, 2025 03:30 PM

Closing Date

Oct 15, 2025 11:59 PM