Manager, Arts, Culture & Heritage Services

Town of Cochrane • Cochrane, AB

22h • Hybrid

About The Position

Cochrane is seeking a strategic, entrepreneurial, and relationship-focused leader to become its Manager, Arts, Culture & Heritage Services. This role involves leading a diverse portfolio encompassing strategy, partnership development, policy development, community engagement, and municipal planning. The position will work across the organization and throughout the community to build programs and partnerships from the ground up, ensuring arts, culture, and heritage are integrated into municipal planning, public spaces, civic initiatives, and new developments. This is a unique opportunity to implement Cochrane's Parks, Culture & Active Living Master Plan and advance initiatives that celebrate, preserve, and strengthen community identity, heritage, placemaking, and cultural vitality. The role is for an individual who is a strategic thinker with a bias for action, passionate about building from the ground up, and energized by turning vision into meaningful community outcomes. The ideal candidate is skilled at building trusted relationships, comfortable wearing many hats, confident working independently while influencing through collaboration, diplomatic, politically astute, and able to navigate competing priorities and diverse perspectives.

Requirements

• Strong strategic planning, policy development, financial management, and program delivery experience.
• Knowledge of municipal governance, community development, and partnership-based service delivery.
• Exceptional stakeholder engagement, relationship-building, facilitation, and communication skills.
• Proven ability to work independently, influence outcomes, build consensus, and navigate complex stakeholder, political, and community environments.
• The ability to analyze complex issues, develop practical recommendations, and present information to senior leadership and Council.
• All applicants must be legally entitled to live and work in Canada.

Nice To Haves

• Membership in a professional association related to arts, culture, heritage, community development, or municipal leadership is considered an asset.

Responsibilities

• Lead implementation of Cochrane's Parks, Culture & Active Living Master Plan and advance initiatives that strengthen community identity and cultural vitality.
• Develop policies, programs, partnerships, and funding frameworks that support a thriving arts, culture, and heritage sector.
• Support the delivery of the Community Grants Program and contribute to the administration of partnership, funding, and service agreements with community organizations.
• Build strong relationships with community groups, artists, heritage organizations, developers, elected officials, and other stakeholders.
• Champion arts, culture, and heritage through municipal planning, placemaking, public spaces, and community development initiatives.
• Provide strategic advice to senior leadership and Council, secure external funding opportunities, and ensure responsible stewardship of municipal investments.
• Navigate diverse stakeholder interests with diplomacy, political acumen, and a collaborative approach.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package
• Pension plan
• Professional development opportunities
• Flexible work environment that supports work-life balance
• Accommodating occasional evening and weekend commitments for events and community initiatives

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: No Education Listed