About the Calgary Stampede
The Calgary Stampede is a not-for-profit community organization that preserves and promotes our western heritage, cultures, and community spirit with a vision to create a world-class, year-round gathering place for the community. Exemplifying the theme We’re Greatest Together, the Stampede is one of the most respected volunteer-based organizations in the world governed by a Board of Directors with over 2,500 passionate volunteers and 1,200 year-round employees.
As an organization that exists for the benefit of the community, inclusion and equity are woven into our core values of western hospitality, pride of place, integrity, and commitment to the community. The world-class, year-round gathering place we have built for the community also welcomes visitors from around the world and those who are new to the local community. We know that blending diverse cultures with our long-standing traditions makes community spirit thrive.
The OH Ranch, gifted to the Calgary Stampede in 2012, is one of the oldest working ranches in southern Alberta, encompassing 8,000 acres of rich natural grassland, wildlife habitat, and historic significance.
Today, the OH Ranch operates as a cow-calf operation, supports young Calgary Stampede bucking stock, offers spring and summer grazing, hosts educational programs, provides controlled access for hunting and recreational activities, and plays a vital role in land stewardship and biodiversity conservation.
Position Summary:
As a key leader within the Agriculture & Western Events team, the OH Ranch Manager is responsible for overseeing and managing the day-to-day operations of the OH Ranch. This includes ensuring the ranch remains a thriving, fiscally responsible, and environmentally sustainable working ranch while upholding the values of western heritage and engaging rural and urban communities in meaningful ways.
This leadership role includes strategic planning, operational execution, livestock and land management, education and community programming, relationship building with external stakeholders, and contributing to the Calgary Stampede’s broader organizational goals.
Key Responsibilities:
Responsibilities of this role include, but are not limited to:
Leadership & Team Management
- Lead, mentor, and manage ranch employees and contractors, ensuring clear delegation and accountability.
- Foster a culture of safety, stewardship, and continuous improvement.
Financial Oversight
- Manage operational budgets with a focus on profitability and sustainability.
- Analyze cost-saving opportunities and revenue-generating initiatives.
Livestock & Herd Health
- Maintain a healthy cow-calf herd (~305 head) with strong focus on biosecurity, animal welfare, and nutrition.
- Oversee daily inspections, veterinary care, vaccinations, and emergency preparedness for livestock.
- Seasonal grazing of Bucking Horses from the Stampede Ranch.
Land Stewardship & Environmental Management
- Work in alignment with the Rangeland Conservation Management Plan and partners like the NCC, AEP, and Foothills County.
- Manage grazing, drought/fire response, water systems, habitat conservation, and recreational use.
Procurement & Contracting
- Source and negotiate livestock purchases, contracts, and ranch supplies.
- Ensure high standards in contractor performance and resource acquisition.
Capital Planning & Infrastructure
- Maintain a five-year capital improvement plan and machinery/equipment maintenance program.
- Ensure compliance with OHS and develop internal safety and training protocols.
Education & Community Engagement
- Maintain and deliver annual educational programming (approx. 40 days/year).
- Lead private and public access initiatives including community events, partnerships, and open farm days.
- Represent the OH Ranch within the community and industry to enhance visibility and brand recognition.
Qualifications:
Education:
- Post-secondary diploma or associate degree in Agriculture Business, Animal Sciences, or Livestock Production.
Experience:
- Minimum 10 years in ranch management or a similar agricultural leadership role.
- Demonstrated experience in:
- Horsemanship and ranch horse skills.
- Financial management and production record keeping.
- Infrastructure maintenance (carpentry, plumbing, electrical).
- Animal care and emergency response.
- Working collaboratively within complex organizational structures.
Skills & Attributes:
- Strong judgment, independence, and business acumen.
- Conflict resolution and relationship-building skills with employees, suppliers, and community members.
- Commitment to environmental sustainability and western heritage preservation.
- Effective communicator and ambassador of the Calgary Stampede’s values.
Physical demands:
- Willingness to work a flexible schedule including holidays, evenings and weekends.
- Ability to work outside in all types of weather.
- Frequent lifting, pushing, crouching, bending, kneeling, reaching.
- Fast-paced environment, work under pressure, attention to detail and hand-eye co-ordination.
- Combination of sitting, walking and standing for extended periods.
- Occasional lifting up to 80 lbs. and pushing / pulling up to 100 lbs.
- Frequent repetitive arm, hand and finger movements.
- Exposure to animals in action, noise, dust, fumes, gases, odours, animal dander, changes in temperature and confined workspace inside grain bins.
- Frequent and long periods on horseback.
- Accurate visual acuity, color vision, sense of smell and touch are required and conversational auditory skills.
- Frequent climbing and occasional climbing with a load.
Benefits
The Calgary Stampede offers a unique and exciting work environment, an excellent total compensation package and the opportunity for advancement and employee training.
To Apply
To apply, please submit your resume.
All applicants are thanked in advance and only those selected for interviews will be contacted.
