Director of Recreation and Parks

Education

• A bachelor’s degree in Recreation Management, Recreation and Parks Management, Sport Management, Leisure Studies, or related field.
• A master’s degree in Recreation Management, Recreation and Parks Management, Sport Management, Leisure Studies, Public Administration, Business Administration, or Social Sciences is preferred.

• Seven (07) years of experience working in senior level recreation and parks management with at least three years’ supervisory experience.
• Must possess or be able to obtain a driver’s license valid in the State of Maryland.

The City of Rockville, Maryland is recruiting a progressive Recreation and Parks leader. The Director of Recreation and Parks is responsible for providing leadership, programming, and policy direction on all aspects of the city’s recreation and parks activities.

The Director of Recreation and Parks oversees all aspects of management and operations focused on:

• Youth and Adult Sports
• Swim and Fitness Center
• Special Events
• Senior Center
• Recreation Programs
• Recreation Centers
• Parks and Open Space
• Glenview Mansion
• F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre
• Croydon Creek Nature Center
• City Tree Care
• City Facilities Maintenance
• Camps and Childcare

This position reports to the Deputy City Manager and is a member of the City’s senior leadership team. The department has a staff of 133.1 full-time staff and 90 temporary FTEs representing hundreds of seasonal hires and an FY2026 operating budget of $33.02 million.

Essential Job Functions

Core Responsibilities

• Lead strategically, work collaboratively, and be responsive to the community.
• Demonstrate leadership through strategic direction setting for department programs and services; development of effective partnerships that advance the work of the department; and support employees through coaching and mentoring.
• Full responsibility for department oversight of all programs and services, including budget development and management; contracts and grants management; and personnel actions.
• Update and implement the strategic plan to identify and address short-term and long-term goals for parks, recreation and facility management.
• Oversee the administration of recreation and parks programs and activities, ensuring equitable access, compliance, fiscal accountability, and programmatic integrity.
• Advise the City Manager and other City leadership on all aspects of recreation and parks programs and activities and their implications on the city and its residents.
• Establish and foster professional working relationships with private, county and state agency officials to plan, fund and coordinate programs and services for City residents.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge and Skills

Knowledge

• Knowledge of the principles of recreation program design and implementation.
• Knowledge of the principles of park development and maintenance
• Knowledge of the principles of facility operations and maintenance.
• Knowledge of the principles of effective leadership of a diverse workforce.
• Knowledge of budgeting, cost estimating, and fiscal management principles and procedures.

Customer Experience

• Values the importance of community engagement.
• Understands the tenets of effective community engagement.
• Includes the customers’ voice in decision-making.

Operational Excellence

• Vision for short-range and long-term planning.
• Effective and decisive operational management skills.
• Creates a collaborative work environment.
• Maintains high standards for operational and fiscal accountability.

Leadership

• Passion for developing staff through coaching and mentoring.
• High level of integrity and ethical standards.
• Effective, clear and consistent communication.
• Creates an environment of trust and value driven leadership.

Relationship Building

• Develops and nurtures professional relationships with key stakeholders.
• Creates a work environment that promotes innovation, collaboration, inclusiveness and openness.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

• Understands and applies the values of diversity, equity and inclusion in policy and program development and program implementation.