Division Chief (Manager II, Grade M2)

Montgomery County•2425 Reedie Dr Wheaton MD 20902 USA, MD

About The Position

The Montgomery County Department of Recreation is seeking a Division Chief (Manager II) to provide strategic leadership and operational oversight for its Programming Division. The Division includes Classes, Camps, Sports, Therapeutic Recreation, 55+ Programs, and Youth Development, serving residents across generations, interests, abilities, and life stages. The Division Chief will ensure programs remain relevant, innovative, accessible, financially responsible, and responsive to community needs. The role sets strategic direction, assesses current services, identifies opportunities for innovation and growth, and translates community priorities and organizational goals into effective programs and services. The Division Chief leads and develops the workforce, stewards program budgets and other resources, builds partnerships, uses data and community insight to guide decisions, and represents the department with executive leadership, elected officials, employees, partners, and residents. As a manager or supervisor of unionized employees, the Division Chief is also responsible for fostering a positive labor-management environment. The selected candidate is designated an Essential Employee and must report to work during general emergencies or periods of liberal leave. Some assignments require evening and weekend work and occasional holiday coverage, as well as attendance at meetings and work at off-site locations.

Requirements

Seven years of progressively responsible professional experience in parks and recreation or a related field, such as community services, public programming, hospitality, or nonprofit management.
Three years of the required experience must be in a supervisory or executive capacity.
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Valid Class C (or equivalent) driver’s license from the applicant’s state of residence when required for job-related duties.
Significant experience leading recreation programs, community services, or a comparable portfolio of public-facing programs.
Track record of strategic leadership, organizational management, and program innovation.
Ability to assess complex information, identify priorities, and make thoughtful, data-informed recommendations.
Strong financial and resource management skills, including experience overseeing budgets and allocating resources strategically.
Exceptional written, verbal, and presentation skills, including the ability to communicate with frontline employees, senior executives, and elected officials.
Demonstrated success building collaborative relationships and strategic partnerships across organizational and community boundaries.
Commitment to developing employees, fostering accountability, and creating a culture where people can do their best work.
Ability to lead with integrity, empathy, sound judgment, and adaptability in a dynamic public-service environment.
Ability to work evenings and weekends and provide occasional holiday coverage when required.
Ability to attend meetings and perform work at off-site locations.
Ability to report to work during general emergencies or periods of liberal leave as an Essential Employee.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities

Set strategic direction for a diverse portfolio of recreation programs and services, aligning them with the department’s mission, organizational priorities, and community needs.
Lead change and innovation by identifying emerging trends, evaluating program effectiveness, and developing new or expanded services.
Ensure programs and services are inclusive, equitable, accessible, welcoming, and responsive to residents of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.
Lead and develop a high-performing workforce by setting clear expectations, strengthening accountability, empowering employees, and fostering collaboration, innovation, and service excellence.
Analyze participation, operational, financial, and other relevant information to evaluate performance and inform strategic recommendations.
Oversee program budgets and ensure financial and operational resources are used strategically, responsibly, and equitably.
Build partnerships with government agencies, nonprofit and community-based organizations, schools, businesses, and other stakeholders.
Represent the department and communicate with executive leadership, elected officials, employees, community partners, and residents.
Prepare written materials, briefings, presentations, and other communications that translate complex issues into clear recommendations for senior leaders and stakeholders.
Navigate competing priorities and complex challenges with sound judgment, flexibility, and diplomacy.
Foster positive labor-management relationships grounded in mutual trust, respect, open communication, collaboration, and shared accountability.
Attend meetings and perform work at off-site locations; report to work during general emergencies or periods of liberal leave as an Essential Employee.