Director Recreation Services - City of Leduc - HumanEdge Global

Description

Established as a village in 1899 and incorporated as a city in 1983, Leduc has grown steadily into a modern and dynamic municipality. Today, Leduc is home to almost 40,000 people, placing it among Alberta's fastest-growing mid-sized cities.

The City of Leduc is located in central Alberta, just south of Edmonton and adjacent to the Edmonton International Airport. Strategically positioned along the Queen Elizabeth II Highway (part of the CANAMEX Trade Corridor), Leduc benefits from strong regional connectivity and access to key transportation and economic hubs. The City is bordered by Leduc County.

Leduc's economy is fueled by industries such as transportation and logistics, advanced manufacturing, agri-food, energy services, and a thriving aerospace sector—anchored by its proximity to the Edmonton International Airport and the surrounding Aerotropolis developments. The Leduc Business Park and nearby Nisku Industrial Park support thousands of jobs and regional supply chains.

The City offers a wide range of services and amenities including a regional hospital, community health centres, a robust public school system (Black Gold School Division), Catholic schools, Leduc Public Library, numerous medical clinics and wellness services, fire and EMS services, RCMP detachment, municipal police officers, affordable housing options, and a growing network of community organizations. Residents also enjoy a high quality of life supported by indoor and outdoor recreation facilities, including the expansive Leduc Recreation Centre, the William F. Lede Park, cultural facilities such as the Maclab Centre for the Performing Arts, and over 75 km of multi-use trails and green spaces.

Leduc is an emerging tourism destination in the Edmonton Metro Region. Key attractions include the city's vibrant downtown core, local festivals, regional parks, and direct access to area destinations such as the Premium Outlet Collection, Castrol Raceway, and the EIA's international travel and trade connections. The City also promotes regional tourism through its partnerships within the Edmonton Regional Tourism Group.

Advantages of living in the City of Leduc include its affordability, family-friendly amenities, strong economic base, and commitment to sustainability and livability. The 2024 average home price remains accessible for working families, while ongoing investments in green initiatives and transportation planning reflect a long-term vision for responsible urban growth. Leduc ranks highly for quality of life among Alberta municipalities.

The City is governed by a Mayor and six Councillors, who work closely with the Chief Administrative Officer and staff to deliver services and implement Council's strategic priorities.

The Director, Recreation Services (DRS) is a forward thinking and collaborative leader who plays a pivotal role in shaping the City of Leduc's future. They provide strategic leadership and direction in the provision of recreation programs, services and events and is the primary contact for the Leduc Recreation Centre (LRC). Reporting to the General Manager of Community and Protective Services, the DRS manages a $7M operational budget, along with a $1M capital budget, while providing leadership to a talented team of up to 150 staff, depending on the time of year.

The Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is a dynamic and accomplished recreation leader with a proven track record of team building. They have hands-on experience overseeing large, multi-use facilities and delivering a wide range of programs, while working collaboratively with community partners and other levels of government. This individual brings a strong understanding of strategic and business planning, along with proven experience managing budgets and resources effectively. Known for their ability to build trust and strong relationships, they are committed to exceptional customer service and to creating inclusive, well-utilized recreation services that enhance quality of life for residents and visitors.

Primary Roles and Responsibilities

Oversight of Recreation Services, Bookings, and Facility Operations
The Director provides comprehensive leadership across recreation facility operations and programming and utilization, including service areas of aquatics, fitness, sport tourism, guest services, arenas, events and bookings, recreation programs, custodial services and corporate partnerships (sponsorship, lease management). They balance large-scale events with community and individual needs, ensuring optimal facility utilization. To guarantee quality service, DRS implements evaluation metrics, addresses operational challenges (like facility maintenance and closures), and coordinate communication to keep user groups informed. They also collaborate with other city departments to promote recreation initiatives and ensure safety protocols are consistently applied.

Community Partnerships
The Director plays a pivotal role in nurturing partnerships with local nonprofits, businesses, and other stakeholders, ensuring the community has wide access to recreation services. They support these partners through facility rentals and service agreements, fostering collaborative recreation programming. As the key administrative liaison, they oversee joint use and cost sharing agreements, with neighboring municipalities and school divisions, and engage residents in shaping future facilities and programs.

Management and Leadership
The Director is responsible for the overall leadership of diverse teams, including program services, aquatics, business services, sport tourism, events, and facility operations. They ensure that each team's day-to-day activities are aligned with the organization's strategic plan and business objectives. This involves developing and monitoring annual operational and capital budgets, ensuring accurate financial forecasting and resource allocation. The Director fosters a cohesive, "one-team" culture by encouraging cross-functional collaboration, holding regular meetings, and ensuring all staff have the tools, training, and staffing levels needed to meet service level expectations. Additionally, the Director takes an active role in coaching, motivating, and managing the performance of direct reports—ensuring staff development, recognizing achievements, addressing conflicts, and cultivating a positive work environment. They also ensure that HR policies, occupational health and safety standards, and succession planning practices are consistently implemented to maintain a healthy, safe, and motivated workforce.

Strategic and Policy Development and Reporting
The Director spearheads long-term strategy development for the department, including financial management, budget planning, and performance benchmarks aligned with the city's strategic plan. They collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to adopt best practices, recommend new policies, and implement enhanced strategies. They provide regular, detailed reports to executive management and city council, ensuring transparency and guiding long-term recreation success.

Qualifications and Requirements

Education and Experience

• Post secondary degree in recreation administration, business administration, public administration or equivalent, or a post-secondary diploma with similar focus complimented by working experience
• Proven leadership, management and team building skills
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience managing a large-scale, multi-faceted facilities (including the planning and delivery of a variety of recreation programs) requiring collaboration with community groups and other levels of government
• Experience with strategic and business planning processes and budget management
• Strong relationship-building skills with internal and external stakeholders (i.e., the public, community groups, etc.) and proven commitment to customer service
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and well-developed political acumen

Compliance

The final candidate for this position will be required to complete a criminal record check, reference check and verification of education/credentials.

The City of Leduc is committed to fostering an equitable, caring and resilient environment where everyone feels valued and connected to the common goals of the organization. They welcome applications from all qualified individuals and encourage candidates who will contribute to the diversity of the City to apply.

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range for this position is $144,599 – $180,744per annum with a comprehensive benefits package and membership in the LAPP pension plan. The benefits package will be outlined to candidates at the appropriate stage of the recruiting process.

Confidentiality

In compliance and consistency with the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act ("PIPEDA"), HumanEdge shall respect the privacy and confidentiality of all personal information provided directly or indirectly verbally, electronically or in print throughout the process of candidate engagement in our search assignments.

To Apply

Please submit a cover letter and resume in confidence to: