Director of Parks and Recreation
Associated General Contractors Of America, Bloomington, MN, United States
The City of Bloomington is looking to hire an inclusive and visionary leader to serve as its next Director of Parks and Recreation. The successful candidate will bring technical skills and knowledge in the areas of parks and facility management. They will also be a collaborative and forward-thinking individual who leads strategic planning, capital investment, community engagement, and operational excellence to ensure the city’s park system promotes health, environmental sustainability, economic vitality, and equitable access to recreation opportunities.
The Director reports to the Deputy City Manager for External Services and leads a multidisciplinary department responsible for park planning and development, recreation programming, facility operations, natural resource management, and community partnerships. The Director of Parks and Recreation cultivates a department culture that values collaboration, employee empowerment, leadership development, and innovation to advance the City’s mission.
This position is responsible for actively communicating with the Parks, Arts and Recreation Commission, City Council, City management, City department leadership, Parks and Recreation managers and support staff, and seeks out partnerships with local school districts, athletic associations, businesses, service organizations, and other community groups to ensure broadbased community recreation and engagement opportunities. The Director participates as an active member of the City’s Executive Leadership Team and maintains strong, productive and cooperative relationships with other City departments.
City of Bloomington Values & Expectations
Develops, supports, and models a positive and productive workplace culture based on respect, dignity, honesty, and integrity. Allows staff to grow and succeed by providing opportunities for increased responsibility and creating a positive work culture
Supports and advances organizational development efforts such as developing a high-performing organization, employee engagement, workforce development, inclusion and equity, and performance measurement efforts
Works cooperatively with others; develops and maintains respectful and effective working relationships with diverse coworkers and community members; consistently brings a high level of self-awareness and empathy to all personal interactions
Proactively resolves conflicts and misunderstandings in order to ensure a respectful and inclusive workplace
Seeks to understand the legacy of structural racism and its impact on employees and the residents we serve; identifies any implications and adverse equity impacts when developing or reviewing policies, projects, activities, and interactions with stakeholders
Embraces the City's shared values and contributes towards accomplishing the City's vision and goals by being creative, innovative, continuously learning, and communicating clearly
Examples of Duties Strategic Leadership
Assist the Department in establishing a Vision that fits with the City's Mission and Values
Develop and implement the long-term strategic vision for Bloomington’s parks, trails, and recreation system
Lead department planning aligned with comprehensive plan; climate and sustainability initiatives; community health & wellness goals
Establish measurable performance metrics and service benchmarks
Park System Planning & Capital Development
Oversee planning and management of the city’s park system, including parks & open space, trails & greenways, and recreation & cultural facilities
Direct development and execution of the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for park infrastructure
Integrate climate resilience, universal design, and ecological stewardship into park development
Community Engagement & Equity
Ensure park services are accessible, inclusive, and culturally responsive
Lead robust community engagement processes in planning and decision-making
Expand recreation access for underserved populations, youth, seniors, and people with disabilities
Environmental Stewardship
Advance sustainable park management practices, including urban forestry, habitat restoration, climate adaptation, and sustainable maintenance practices
Promote parks as critical infrastructure for climate resilience and stormwater management
Recreation & Cultural Programming
Provide oversight for diverse programs, including sports, aquatics, arts & cultural programming, outdoor recreation, and community events
Foster innovation in recreation delivery, including technology-enabled programming and partnerships
Financial & Enterprise Management
Manage departmental operating and capital budgets
Oversee enterprise facilities (golf courses, recreation centers, etc.) with strong financial performance
Pursue external funding through grants, sponsorships, partnerships, and philanthropic initiatives
Workforce Leadership
Lead a department workforce that includes professional, maintenance, and seasonal staff
Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, safety, and continuous improvement
Develop leadership pipelines and workforce development initiatives
Partnerships & Regional Collaboration
Collaborate with school districts, nonprofits, regional park systems, arts organizations, and health & wellness partners
Strengthen Bloomington’s role within the regional parks and recreation network
Governance & Public Communication
Advise the Deputy City Managers, City Manager, City Council, and advisory commissions
Prepare policy recommendations, presentations, and strategic reports
Serve as the public face of the city’s parks and recreation system
Additional Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
A team builder who understands the how and why of the programs they are directing
A supportive, trusting, transparent leader who is open to new ideas
An excellent communicator and reader of people
A person of empathy who is a good listener, shows compassion, and creates an inclusive environment that values everyone
An approachable leader who creates strong relationships with staff, council and the public while advocating for parks and recreation
A commitment to continue to make Bloomington a great place to work
A culturally aware and competent leader who embraces diversity
Supervision of Others This position supervises others and currently has 5 direct reports, including 2 deputy directors.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in parks and recreation, business administration, public administration, health, physical education, or a closely related field
At least 6 years of progressively responsible Parks and Recreation experience
At least 6 years of supervisory experience
At least 1 year of experience being persuasive and influential with a governing board, body, or leadership team and soliciting community engagement
At least 1 year of direct experience in the 'business development' side of recreational programming
At least 1 year of experience developing and running a multi-purpose community center
Desirable Qualifications
Master's degree in parks and recreation, business administration, public administration, health, physical education, or a closely related field
Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of parks facilities planning, park development, redevelopment, and construction, including the preparation and implementation of capital improvement plans and budgets, retention of appropriate professional consultants, bidding, and construction management
Knowledge of the principles of urban planning as they apply to recreation facilities and programs planning, including nationally accepted planning standards for municipal parks and recreation facility needs, application of demographic data, human service needs, transportation, nature conservancy, issues of youth at risk, crime prevention, etc.
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The Director reports to the Deputy City Manager for External Services and leads a multidisciplinary department responsible for park planning and development, recreation programming, facility operations, natural resource management, and community partnerships. The Director of Parks and Recreation cultivates a department culture that values collaboration, employee empowerment, leadership development, and innovation to advance the City’s mission.
This position is responsible for actively communicating with the Parks, Arts and Recreation Commission, City Council, City management, City department leadership, Parks and Recreation managers and support staff, and seeks out partnerships with local school districts, athletic associations, businesses, service organizations, and other community groups to ensure broadbased community recreation and engagement opportunities. The Director participates as an active member of the City’s Executive Leadership Team and maintains strong, productive and cooperative relationships with other City departments.
City of Bloomington Values & Expectations
Develops, supports, and models a positive and productive workplace culture based on respect, dignity, honesty, and integrity. Allows staff to grow and succeed by providing opportunities for increased responsibility and creating a positive work culture
Supports and advances organizational development efforts such as developing a high-performing organization, employee engagement, workforce development, inclusion and equity, and performance measurement efforts
Works cooperatively with others; develops and maintains respectful and effective working relationships with diverse coworkers and community members; consistently brings a high level of self-awareness and empathy to all personal interactions
Proactively resolves conflicts and misunderstandings in order to ensure a respectful and inclusive workplace
Seeks to understand the legacy of structural racism and its impact on employees and the residents we serve; identifies any implications and adverse equity impacts when developing or reviewing policies, projects, activities, and interactions with stakeholders
Embraces the City's shared values and contributes towards accomplishing the City's vision and goals by being creative, innovative, continuously learning, and communicating clearly
Examples of Duties Strategic Leadership
Assist the Department in establishing a Vision that fits with the City's Mission and Values
Develop and implement the long-term strategic vision for Bloomington’s parks, trails, and recreation system
Lead department planning aligned with comprehensive plan; climate and sustainability initiatives; community health & wellness goals
Establish measurable performance metrics and service benchmarks
Park System Planning & Capital Development
Oversee planning and management of the city’s park system, including parks & open space, trails & greenways, and recreation & cultural facilities
Direct development and execution of the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for park infrastructure
Integrate climate resilience, universal design, and ecological stewardship into park development
Community Engagement & Equity
Ensure park services are accessible, inclusive, and culturally responsive
Lead robust community engagement processes in planning and decision-making
Expand recreation access for underserved populations, youth, seniors, and people with disabilities
Environmental Stewardship
Advance sustainable park management practices, including urban forestry, habitat restoration, climate adaptation, and sustainable maintenance practices
Promote parks as critical infrastructure for climate resilience and stormwater management
Recreation & Cultural Programming
Provide oversight for diverse programs, including sports, aquatics, arts & cultural programming, outdoor recreation, and community events
Foster innovation in recreation delivery, including technology-enabled programming and partnerships
Financial & Enterprise Management
Manage departmental operating and capital budgets
Oversee enterprise facilities (golf courses, recreation centers, etc.) with strong financial performance
Pursue external funding through grants, sponsorships, partnerships, and philanthropic initiatives
Workforce Leadership
Lead a department workforce that includes professional, maintenance, and seasonal staff
Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, safety, and continuous improvement
Develop leadership pipelines and workforce development initiatives
Partnerships & Regional Collaboration
Collaborate with school districts, nonprofits, regional park systems, arts organizations, and health & wellness partners
Strengthen Bloomington’s role within the regional parks and recreation network
Governance & Public Communication
Advise the Deputy City Managers, City Manager, City Council, and advisory commissions
Prepare policy recommendations, presentations, and strategic reports
Serve as the public face of the city’s parks and recreation system
Additional Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
A team builder who understands the how and why of the programs they are directing
A supportive, trusting, transparent leader who is open to new ideas
An excellent communicator and reader of people
A person of empathy who is a good listener, shows compassion, and creates an inclusive environment that values everyone
An approachable leader who creates strong relationships with staff, council and the public while advocating for parks and recreation
A commitment to continue to make Bloomington a great place to work
A culturally aware and competent leader who embraces diversity
Supervision of Others This position supervises others and currently has 5 direct reports, including 2 deputy directors.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in parks and recreation, business administration, public administration, health, physical education, or a closely related field
At least 6 years of progressively responsible Parks and Recreation experience
At least 6 years of supervisory experience
At least 1 year of experience being persuasive and influential with a governing board, body, or leadership team and soliciting community engagement
At least 1 year of direct experience in the 'business development' side of recreational programming
At least 1 year of experience developing and running a multi-purpose community center
Desirable Qualifications
Master's degree in parks and recreation, business administration, public administration, health, physical education, or a closely related field
Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of parks facilities planning, park development, redevelopment, and construction, including the preparation and implementation of capital improvement plans and budgets, retention of appropriate professional consultants, bidding, and construction management
Knowledge of the principles of urban planning as they apply to recreation facilities and programs planning, including nationally accepted planning standards for municipal parks and recreation facility needs, application of demographic data, human service needs, transportation, nature conservancy, issues of youth at risk, crime prevention, etc.
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