Senior Manager, Thoroughbred Racing Surfaces

Accountability:

• Develop, manage and lead an effective Thoroughbred Racing Surfaces team to ensure the safety of all racing participants (equine and human), across all racing surfaces at Woodbine Racetrack (racing turf and Tapeta courses, training dirt and turf courses).  Support Woodbine’s position as leader in racetrack safety in North America by developing and executing racing surface operating plans that support Woodbine’s overall thoroughbred racing strategy
• Provide leadership and direction to Woodbine thoroughbred track maintenance staff. Manage, assess, and monitor overall staff performance and identify areas for improvement, development, and additional training.  
• Manage the maintenance of all thoroughbred tracks at Woodbine (racing and training), ensuring safety and compliance and readiness for racing and training. Make informed recommendations, by leveraging both quantitative and qualitative information, to the Director of Racing Surfaces on whether racing should be cancelled and provide back up and insight on the issue at hand in terms of track condition and safety
• Manage the maintenance of all thoroughbred tracks at Woodbine (racing and training), ensuring safety and compliance and readiness for racing and training. Make informed recommendations, by leveraging both quantitative and qualitative information, to the Director of Racing Surfaces on whether racing should be cancelled and provide back up and insight on the issue at hand in terms of track condition and safety
• Contribute to the development of and manage the Thoroughbred Racing Surfaces budget, financial reports, and goals/objectives with direction from the Director of Racing Surfaces, understanding the organization’s priorities, the needs of the business units, and the external environment.
• Manage daily Track Log processes on all Woodbine track surfaces, ensuring accuracy and completeness of the data points collected.  
• Liaise with the Grounds team on stormwater management and environmental requirements that impact thoroughbred racing surfaces. In addition, partner with the Manager, Fleet Operations to ensure operating equipment is in good working order, and maintenance procedures are documented and performed as required.
• Responsible for assessing operational staffing to efficiently and effectively meet the operational demands of all racing and training surfaces on a day-to-day basis.
• Ensure all equipment is in safe working condition and ensure staff are properly trained.
• Ensure Horse Ambulance, Starting Gate & track lights are operational and working well for live racing.
• Develop and maintain positive relationships with horse-people and other racing-related personnel and stakeholders (Horse-people’s Associations, Jockeys of Canada Guild).
• Interpret, administer and implement the applicable Collective Agreement, organizational policies and HR policies
• Exhibit and demonstrate and encourage the core values of Respect, Integrity, Accountability, and Excellence.

Knowledge and Education

• Advanced knowledge of track surfaces (soils and turf) and related issues and machinery
• Advanced knowledge of horse racing industry
• General to advanced understanding of the operational and regulatory structure of horse racing
• General knowledge of union contracts and human relations
• Advanced interpersonal, communication, leadership, organization and management skills
• Must be flexible and innovative
• Ability to multi-task in a fast paced and ever-changing environment
• Ability to make sound decisions on non-routine issues while considering multiple variables and outcomes
• Proficient with computer (Word, Excel)
• Experience with weather tracking software
• Advanced training  in the area of horticulture, grounds, and plant physiology

LIVE EXPERIENCE

• Requirement to be licensed by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO)
• 5 years experience managing or supervising union staff
• Experience with the professional maintenance of turf (grass) surfaces for competition purposes

Complexity and Skill in Decision Making

• Ensuring track safety is prioritized and that necessary adjustments are frequently made for the well-being of horses
• Making quick decisions regarding the state of Woodbine’s turf courses and whether it is appropriate to cancel turf racing 

Innovation and Creativity

• Leadership – Developing strong relationships with the rest of the thoroughbred racing department and supervisors
• Trust – Building communicative and trustworthy relationships with Woodbine’s horse community

Impact of Action Responsibility

• Errors in judgement could result in catastrophic injuries for horses, as well as losses of wagering revenue for Woodbine. Safe racing surfaces ensure equine welfare, which will result in a healthy wagering product for our customers. 

Financial Responsibility

• The employee must responsibly utilize Woodbine’s Track Surfaces budget with its Director and ensure that track materials are not being used in a wasteful manner. They must also operate Woodbine’s fleet safely to prevent any expensive damages.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• The employee must communicate with their own department, as well as all other essential faculty involved with Woodbine’s racing product
• Attention to detail. Prioritizing the safety of the track, as well as the athletes who perform on it.
• Must be able to work in precarious weather conditions around machinery and unpredictable animals. Must have the capability to lift 50lbs. 
• Exposure to external weather conditions and dust, noise
• Must be able to respond to numerous outside influences and impacts
• Must be able to work early hours and weekends. Demanding schedules can present themselves when there are problems with the state of Woodbine’s racing surfaces. Must be able to manage responses to the catastrophic injuries of horses.