Director Of Recreation Jobs

Park District of Highland Park Overview:

Founded over a century ago, The Park District of Highland Park is a suburban park district approximately 25 miles north of downtown Chicago. In pursuit of enriching community life through healthy leisure pursuits and an appreciation of the natural world, the Park District operates nearly 800 acres of land in 44 park areas and offers over 3,000 unique recreational and seasonal programs. Facilities include an indoor ice and gymnastics arena, indoor tennis club, recreation and fitness center, nature center, 18-hole golf course and learning center, mini golf course, early childhood enrichment center, aquapark, swimming beach, dog beach, boat launch facility and yacht club on Lake Michigan. The district has over 100 full-time employees, roughly 250 year-round part-time employees and more than 300 seasonal employees.

Position Summary:

The Park District of Highland Park is seeking an experienced, forward-thinking leader to provide strategic leadership and managerial oversight for the Recreation Department. This position reports directly to the Executive Director and is a member of the Department Head Leadership Team. The Director of Recreation is responsible for the administration of recreation services for the community. Areas of direct responsibility are programming, events, memberships, leagues, and camps at The Recreation Center of Highland Park, Hidden Creek Aqua Park, Rosewood Beach, Park Avenue Boating Facility, and Deer Creek Racquet Club, in addition to other support areas such as registration and custodial maintenance.

Essential Functions:

• Adhere to the districts policies and procedures and ensure adherence.
• Maintain confidentiality of sensitive information regarding district matters.
• Provide strategic leadership and managerial oversight for all aspects of recreation operations, and future projects for assigned areas within the Recreation Department.
• Review ordinances and make recommendations for changes or additions.
• Proactively build community relationships with potential partners, vendors, and volunteer groups in promotion of Park District facilities and their associated recreational programs.
• Develop and manage strategic initiatives and annual work plan goals as aligned with the districts values, master plan, and strategic plan.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Partner with the Department Head Leadership Team on various projects; collaborate in making decisions regarding operational activity to ensure alignment with district strategy.
• Maintain required records and documentation in accordance with laws and regulations.
• Serve as District representative on assigned committees and community groups.
• Evaluate departmental operations including facility operations, memberships, and programming; identify opportunities and solutions for improvement.
• Prepare an annual budget, including fee recommendations, for areas of responsibility; supervise the expenditure of funds once approved by the Board of Park Commissioners.
• Hire, train, supervise, and evaluate the work performance of staff with a focus on professional development of direct reports through providing feedback and opportunities for growth.
• Review and make recommended improvements to internal policies and procedures.
• Attend all Park District Board and Committee meetings as required; prepare documents and present to the Board as required.
• Project a positive image of the district to employees, patrons, partners, and the community.

Qualifications:

The ideal candidate for this role will have a Bachelor's degree in Parks and Recreation or a related field, with a minimum of ten years progressive experience in the parks and recreation industry or similar industry, including five years experience in a leadership/management position preferably at an organization of a similar size as the Park District of Highland Park. Experience in operating a large-scale recreation complex, fitness, and aquatics is strongly preferred. Certified Park and Recreation Professional, CPRP, is preferred. Must have a valid Illinois Drivers License. Must have current CPR/AED certification or ability to obtain within 30 days of hire. Must have previous experience working with Recreation software and strong knowledge of Microsoft Office products.

Hiring Range: $121,000 $136,000

Classification: Full-time, exempt

Schedule: Typically, Monday through Friday with nights and weekends required as needed. The employee will need to be on call for emergencies and accessible outside of regular office hours via cell phone and email.

Benefits: Excellent benefit package including paid holidays and paid time off, health, dental and vision insurance, life insurance, flexible spending, a defined benefit pension plan (IMRF) and a voluntary deferred retirement plan, opportunities to get involved in recreational programs for free or reduced cost, and more.

The Park District of Highland Park is an Equal Opportunity Employer.