Community Services and Special Events Manager

City of Santa Barbara, CA • Santa Barbara, CA

120d

About The Position

The Community Services and Special Events Manager oversees a dynamic portfolio of community-serving programs and high-profile public events. This position manages multiple programs, teams, and facilities that together form the backbone of the City's community services offerings. With a strong emphasis on event planning, permitting, and interdepartmental coordination, this position plays a central role in delivering City-sponsored events and supporting the safe, successful execution of dozens of large-scale public events each year. It is also a highly visible, public-facing role that requires frequent collaboration and communication with the City Administrator's Office, Mayor and City Council, senior leadership across City departments, nonprofit and business leaders, and community members of all backgrounds. The ability to navigate complex stakeholder dynamics with professionalism, diplomacy, and responsiveness is essential to success in this position.

Requirements

• Seven (7) years of increasingly responsible professional recreation experience, including two (2) years experience in supervision of full-time and part-time professional and support staff.
• Bachelor's degree in recreation, public or business administration, or a closely related field.
• A valid Class C California driver's license and the ability to maintain insurability under the City's Vehicle Insurance Policy.
• Current Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and First Aid Certification.

Nice To Haves

• Extensive experience managing special events, civic programs, or public-facing services in a municipal or nonprofit setting.
• Exceptional leadership and team-building skills across multiple program types and facility operations.
• Strong working knowledge of permitting, public safety, and interagency coordination.
• Ability to thrive in fast-paced, high-stakes environments with a calm, collaborative approach.
• Flexibility and an interest in collaborating with the Department's leadership team on Departmental goals and priorities.
• Experience working with culturally diverse communities and designing programming that reflects their needs and priorities.

Responsibilities

• Lead a multi-disciplinary team, including full-time supervisors, coordinators, administrative staff, seasonal employees, and volunteers.
• Provide strategic direction, policy guidance, and operational oversight across all assigned program areas.
• Serve on the Department's leadership team and work across the Department to advance projects and priorities of the Department as a whole.
• Prepare and manage complex budgets, fee structures, and revenue programs in accordance with City goals and financial policies.
• Work closely with internal City departments and external partners to facilitate safe, inclusive, and high-quality events and services.
• Continuously evaluate program effectiveness, community impact, and operational efficiency.
• Represent program areas to elected officials, boards and commissions, community partners, and the general public.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Industry: Executive, Legislative, and Other General Government Support
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees