Senior Program Lead - Strategy and Operations

Edmonton Public Library; Edmonton; Hybrid; CAD 106,000 - 137,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading urban service provider in Edmonton is looking for a Senior Program Lead - Strategy and Operations to oversee vital urban forestry initiatives. The role includes managing a substantial budget for the ambitious Greener As We Grow capital profile and ensuring compliance with federal guidelines for the 2 Billion Trees grant. Ideal candidates will possess a relevant degree, extensive project management experience, and strong analytical and communication skills. This position may offer a hybrid work arrangement, providing a flexible working environment.

Benefits

Flexible work arrangement

Comprehensive benefits package

Qualifications

• A minimum of seven (7) years of experience in strategic policy development and project management.
• Experience managing relationships with collaborators and facilitating multi-partner technical groups.
• Proficient in taking projects from initiation to completion, ensuring on time, on budget delivery.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the Greener As We Grow capital profile and the 2 Billion Trees grant.
• Manage complex multi-year budgets and provide financial forecasting.
• Serve as the lead contact for Urban Forestry Leadership Team for cross-portfolio coordination.

Skills

Strong communication skills

Project management

Strategic thinking

Risk assessment

Analytical insights

Education

University degree in forestry, science, engineering, business administration, statistics, mathematics, commerce, or political science

Tools

Microsoft Office applications

Google Suite

Job description

Imagine a city where every street is a canopy of green, every park is a thriving ecosystem, and our urban forest grows by two million trees to create a cooler, more climate‑resilient future. This isn't just a vision—it’s a multi‑year mission fueled by a landmark $114 million investment, including the federal 2 Billion Trees grant. By 2031, we aim to transform Edmonton’s landscape, having already achieved a record‑breaking 484,091 plantings in 2025 alone. We are looking for a visionary leader to take the helm of this monumental project and help us grow a legacy that will span generations.

As the Senior Program Lead - Strategy and Operations, you will oversee the Greener As We Grow capital profile and the 2 Billion Trees grant, as well as support operational‑level strategy for the Urban Forestry portfolio. This role is vital for coordinating efforts between Forestry, Naturalization, Finance, and various internal sections to ensure our ambitious planting targets are met on time and within scope. You will manage a significant multi‑year budget, oversee complex urban forestry related projects like canopy cover analysis, update the Urban Forest Management Plan and develop long‑term implementation plans for the Urban Forest Asset Management Plan. By providing high‑level research and professional judgment, you will enable leadership and City Council to make evidence‑based decisions that preserve and expand Edmonton’s urban forest.

What will you do?

• Develop business cases into actionable project plans to meet the requirements of project sponsors and owners
• Manage complex multi‑year budgets ($114M), including financial forecasting, monitoring expenses, and providing detailed variance explanations
• Provide coordination and often be the lead contact for the Urban Forestry Leadership Team when there is need for cross‑portfolio coordination (e.g. budget planning, work plan creation, council reports, section and branch projects)
• Oversight of the Corporate Tree Reserve for the Urban Forestry team including working with Finance to plan, forecast, and track deposits and withdrawals
• Ensure compliance with federal guidelines for the 2 Billion Trees grant, including tracking and quarterly reporting of expenses
• Lead the planning for high‑profile initiatives and project management of the update of the 10‑year Urban Forest Management Plan
• Project manage updates to the Urban Forest Asset Management Plan every 4 years, champion its implementation and report on progress.
• Work with the City’s Geospatial team to execute canopy cover analysis contracts every 4 years
• Act as a lead liaison and spokesperson, preparing and delivering presentations for leadership, internal meetings, and external conferences
• Collaborate with invested parties and engagement participants to gather and incorporate feedback into future management plans
• Oversee project support staff to ensure daily operational requirements and deliverables are completed in a timely manner
• Analyze and benchmark existing City of Edmonton Urban Forest Management Plans and Urban Forest Asset Management Plan, against best practices from other North American municipalities; identify strategic improvement when updating Edmonton’s plan
• Conduct surveys and gather data on urban forest resources, including tree inventory, species composition, and canopy cover, using the latest technology and techniques
• Incorporate new strategies and initiatives for maintaining and improving urban forest health, including planting programs, pruning and maintenance schedules, and pest and disease management

Qualifications

• University degree in forestry, science, engineering, business administration, statistics, mathematics, commerce, or political science
• A minimum of seven (7) years of experience in strategic policy development, managing relationships with collaborators, and facilitating multi‑partner technical or policy groups, alongside project management, research, strategic thinking, report writing, and business case development

Assets

• PMP (Project Management Professional) or Change Management certification, or coursework/training in project management
• Experience in forestry or other environmental fields, including field work and ability to make connections between operations to strategy, planning, budgeting, research, projects and/or programs
• Experience working with multiple levels of government

Skills required for success

• Presenting and translating technical and strategic data into effective reports for Leadership and Council
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships, build consensus, generate understanding in an environment of diverse community partner and interests
• Proficient in taking projects from initiation to completion, ensuring they stay on time, on budget, and within scope
• Confident with risk assessment, decision‑making, and long‑term strategic thinking
• Anticipate and effectively manage and respond to issues/risks/inquiries from internal and external partners, leadership, Council and citizens
• Works well independently and in cross‑functional teams, across programs and work collaboratively to share resources and information
• Proven ability to take the lead in multiple groups, projects, and situations at all levels of an organization
• Ability to critically analyze issues to make decisions, recommend viable and effective solutions and summarize and manage information
• Leverage analytical insights for strategic decision‑making and comprehensive risk assessment
• Advanced computer skills, including Microsoft Office applications, Google Suite, web‑based communications, groupware and social media tools
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written
• Strong organizational and time management skills with the demonstrated ability to prioritize and coordinate work to deadlines
• 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

• Candidates are required to hold a valid Alberta Class 5 driver’s license (or provincial equivalent) or higher. Candidates 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 candidate to obtain business‑use auto insurance

Work Environment

• Note: This position may be eligible for a hybrid work arrangement with the flexibility to work from both home and the worksite as per the Letter of Understanding between the City of Edmonton and Civic Service Union 52
• The weekly hours of work for this position are currently under review and may change at a future time. Any changes will be made in accordance with the City of Edmonton/Civic Service Union 52 collective agreement and the incumbent will be notified in advance

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 [e-mail]. Learn more about our benefits https://bit.ly/COEbenefits.

Up to 1 permanent full‑time position

Hours of Work: 40 hours per week

Salary Range: $51.181 - $65.310 (Hourly); $106,865.93 - $136,367.28 (Annually)

Recruitment Consultant: PO/SO

.Edmonton rests in the heart of Treaty Six territory in Alberta and the homelands of the Metis Nation.