Job Title

Join our team and contribute your people leader and horticulture experience to create meaningful engagement and conservation impact! The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo is seeking a permanent, full-time Senior Manager, Horticulture who will manage our passionate horticulture team to deliver welcoming garden spaces as well as working collaboratively with internal and external partners on animal care and conservation initiatives. The Senior Managers role will include leading exterior habitats and safe zones maintenance (including the WICZ off-site 330 acre facility), browse collection and preservation, habitat tree maintenance, winter operations support (snow removal), corporate volunteer management, horticulture design including Dorothy Harvie Gardens annual designs and construction, event support, interior habitats maintenance including Enmax Conservatory and Rainforest, propagation house operations, browse greenhouse operations, pest control and butterfly garden operations. This position is also responsible for leading collaboration with Conservation and Science Team on strategic horticulture conservation activities including the identification of plant species at risk and related conservation activities. This role is responsible for the administration of permanent contractors and also participates in the design development of major capital projects and is responsible for the execution of several minor projects. This role is responsible for the development/maintenance of the WICZ Hortis database and the tree inventory database. Our Purpose | We act for wildlife; saving species and inspiring people to join us. Our Core Values |Drive impact, nurture connection, cultivate hope, and be bold. What you will do Provides leadership and overall management internal and external habitats, internal and external gardens, greenhouses operations, browse collection, including maintenance of a 343-acre off-site facility and winter operation support. Responsible for contract administration, KPI reporting, internal quality audits and quarterly continuous improvement meetings for permanent contractors. Responsible for the safe development and execution of departmental priorities and work plans using internal staff, contractors, volunteers and seasonal employees. Participates in the development and management of branch continuous improvement tasks, operating budgets and capital budgets. Proactively ensures the zoo is ready to open to the public by 9:00am daily, as it relates to Horticulture. Actively contributes to the development of capital projects as they relate to horticulture, landscape and habitats including environmental initiatives and potentially endangered plant species translocation program and other horticulture conservation initiatives. Contributes to the development and implementation of master plans and internal policies. Provides support, supervision and guidance to direct reports including performance reviews. Actively supports the overall activities of the Facilities Management Team. Represents the zoo in relevant professional and trade organizations. Responsible for environmental, health and safety including incidents, near misses and hazards reporting and investigations. Responsible for recruitment, job specific employee training and professional development. Responsible for the maintenance of both the Hortis database and the tree inventory database. Applies project management methodologies during the execution of all horticulture capital projects. Follows zoo''s procurement policies for both operating and capital budgets. Ensures a safe work environment and follows all regulatory and zoo safety policies including Contractor Safety Orientations. Responsible for employee engagement, staff culture and DEI initiatives. Services are delivered with a combination of internal staff, contractors, seasonals and volunteers. Participates in the Development Sponsorship Committee. Additional training that may be required and provided by the zoo includes Asbestos/Mold, Boom Lift, Code Adam, Confined Space, Fall Protection, Fire Extinguisher, First Aid, Forklift, Hazard Assessment and Control, Lock Out/Tag Out, Pest Control, Respiratory Protection, Skid Steer, Transportation of Dangerous Good, Vehicle Operator, WHMIS, Workforce Orientation and Zoonotic Disease Awareness, ISA Certification. What you will bring At least 7 years of progressive experience in horticulture, grounds maintenance, or other related roles, include management experience Experience managing multiple teams including external contractors in a fast-paced operating environment. Experience developing and executing capital projects and budget development. Experience developing, managing and re-forecasting capital and operating budgets. Experience with office software packages including EHS management software and CMMS software. Experience in directing diverse groups and teams to achieve key deliverables in a continuous improvement environment including KPI reporting. A drivers licence is required. Comfort working in customer service environments/high visitor environments is an asset Familiarity with endangered plant species translocation and/or propagation is an asset. Post secondary education (degree or diploma) in Horticulture is preferred. A certificate in business management is an asset. Proven ability to work in a team environment Possess leaderships skills that support creating and maintaining a safe work environment with an engaged work force with an exceptional culture. Well-developed organizational and communication skills. Working Conditions Many administrative duties include working on a computer in an office setting. Meetings and site inspections in the field, including construction sites. The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo is an outdoor facility and all staff working at the zoo must be comfortable working in a large variety of outdoor conditions. The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo follows the advice of Environment Canada when responding to temperature and air quality issues. What the Zoo Offers Competitive compensation, vacation and flex days entitlement Flexible benefits plan, including a health spending account Employer matching RRSP program Discounts on food, beverage, and merchandise Participation in the Staff Pass Benefit plan A fun, rewarding work environment and the opportunity to work in a park full of wild animals Are you ready to join one of Canadas leaders in wildlife conservation? If this position suits your skills, experience and personal attributes, we want to talk to you. Apply by doing the following; Watch this video about the conservation work being done at the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo. (your resume with an optional cover letter via our online application system. Fill in the Application questions: Confirm eligibility to work in Canada If hired, when would you be available to start? Do you have a drivers licence? If hired, what are your salary expectations for this position? Applicants must be legally entitled to work in Canada. If this position is a fit for you, we encourage you to apply with a resume and cover letter online by February 13, 2026. The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo strives to cultivate a workplace in which everyone feels welcome and empowered to bring their authentic selves to work. As a conservation organization, we respect and value the diversity of all life and come together as individuals and teammates to achieve the organizations mission and vision. We recognize the value of diversity, equity, and inclusion , and work to advance our culture to ensure diverse viewpoints are heard and everyone has an equitable chance to succeed and thrive. All candidates are thanked for their applications and advised that they will be contacted once applications have been reviewed and a final decision has been made. #J-18808-Ljbffr