Description
Reporting to the Director of River Valley Parks, the Supervisor of River Valley Visitor Services provides strategic leadership for a diverse range of activities within the iconic North Saskatchewan River Valley park system. Leading a large, multidisciplinary team of permanent and seasonal staff, you will oversee managing everything from structured public programs, rentals, and bookings to spontaneous community use. Accountable for a complex financial portfolio, you will ensure fiscal sustainability through effective revenue generation, market-driven fee-setting, and effective commercial contract management, all while maintaining the City's steadfast commitment to equitable public access.
As a bridge between corporate strategy and frontline service delivery, you will navigate the diverse, competing interests of partners and the public, ensuring all activation aligns with the Ribbon of Green, strategic park master plans and regulatory frameworks. Central to your success will be your ability to build a collaborative, engaged and high-performing culture that thrives on accountability and service excellence. This position offers a unique opportunity to translate the City's long-term vision into a daily reality; protecting the ecological integrity of the valley while shaping it into a premier destination for recreation and tourism.
What will you do?
- Lead the integrated delivery of all River Valley visitor services, encompassing registered, school, and drop-in programming, high-touch facility rentals (e.g., Yorath House, Alfred H. Savage Centre), over 2,000 annual picnic bookings, and contracted commercial services
- Establish a unified vision for River Valley visitor experiences that dynamically balances public access with environmental preservation, ensuring strict alignment with the Ribbon of Green, the North Saskatchewan River Valley Area Redevelopment Plan, and City Plan objectives
- Manage the full lifecycle of the unit's budget, driving strategic revenue-generating initiatives, leading the annual competitive fee-setting process, and securing alternative funding streams such as grants and sponsorships
- Oversee the procurement of partner and commercial services, including RFPs and expressions of interest, and collaborate with Legal Services to develop contract terms and conditions that mitigate organizational risk
- Direct, coach, and mentor a large, multidisciplinary team, managing organizational structure, FTE allocations, and full recruitment and onboarding lifecycles to foster a high-performance, inclusive culture
- Manage full-lifecycle talent administration within a unionized environment, establishing clear performance expectations, executing formal investigations and disciplinary processes, and partnering with union representatives to resolve grievances
- Provide critical technical expertise and operational insight into long-term land use planning, land acquisition, open space policy development, and priority corporate capital growth or renewal projects
- Coordinate service delivery across multiple departments and branches to resolve competing interests, represent the section on corporate committees, and author comprehensive Council reports, memos, and briefing notes
- Direct the implementation of the Corporate Occupational Health and Safety program across diverse indoor and outdoor amenities, ensuring legislative compliance, overseeing incident investigations, and executing emergency response plans and drills
- Ensure strict organizational conformance to ENVISO requirements and associated bylaws, implement "Visitor-First" service standards, and protect City assets through regular facility inspections and preventative security measures
- Undergraduate degree in Recreation, Tourism, Park Administration/Management, Business, Marketing, Arts, Sciences, or a related discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and experience
- Minimum of 5 years supervisory experience in a park or recreation facility environment within a large complex organization
Skills required for success:
- Team Leadership & Employee Relations: Lead, mentor, and manage a diverse, unionized workforce by fostering a culture of commitment and safety while effectively handling grievances, disciplinary actions, and conflict resolution
- Financial & Operational Stewardship: Oversee operational budgets, financial forecasting, and reporting, while managing procurement processes and complex contracts with commercial vendors and community partners
- Strategic Execution & Policy Compliance: Utilize project management principles and organizational skills to implement programs, navigate City policies and regulations, and develop business continuity plans
- Communication & Safety Management: Ensure a safe environment for staff and the public while maintaining clear, effective verbal and written communication with diverse partners and the public
- Alignment to our Cultural Commitments and Leadership Competencies (https://bit.ly/4brRrXm)
- Embracing a culture of equity, diversity, reconciliation and inclusion
- Applicants may be tested
Conditions of employment & work environment:
- Up to: 1 permanent full-time position
- Hours of work: 36.9 hours per week
- Salary: $108,838.80 - $136,046.09 (Annually)
- This position is eligible for the EDO program (Earned Day Off)
- Valid Alberta Class 5 driver's licence (or provincial equivalent)
- Applicants will be required to arrange their own transportation and, where appropriate, will be reimbursed in accordance with City of Edmonton policy. This may require the applicant to obtain business use auto insurance
- Hire is dependent upon a Police Information Check satisfactory to the City of Edmonton
- Management and Out-of-Scope positions at the City of Edmonton are being reviewed for possible inclusion in the Civic Service Union 52 bargaining unit. If this position is impacted, the incumbent will be notified accordingly
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: AS/SB
Edmonton rests in the heart of Treaty Six territory in Alberta and the homelands of the Metis Nation.
#LI-AS1
Classification Title: ML2 - Rec, Sports and FitnesssPosting Date: Jul 08, 2026
Closing Date: July 29, 2026 11:59:00 PM (MDT)
Number of Openings (up to): 1 - Permanent Full-time
Union: Management
Department: Community Services
Work Location(s): Victoria Golf Course, 12130 River Road Edmonton T5N 0E0
Apply on company website