Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Director

International City Management•Colorado Springs, CO

42d

About The Position

The Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Director is an at-will executive leadership role reporting to the Chief of Staff/Chief Administrative Officer. This position provides strategic direction for one of the City's largest and most visible departments, overseeing park operations, recreation programs, natural and cultural resource management, planning and design, and major community facilities including golf courses, cemeteries, community centers, aquatics sites, and the Pikes Peak Highway. Learn more about the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services department: https://coloradosprings.gov/PRCS About the City of Colorado Springs Nestled at the base of Pikes Peak-America's Mountain-Colorado Springs is home to more than 506,000 residents and offers 195 square miles of natural beauty, cultural vibrancy, and economic opportunity. With 243 days of sunshine annually, the City features over 150 parks, 375 miles of trails, a thriving downtown, diverse neighborhoods, and a strong military, academic, and nonprofit presence. It is also home to the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee and a growing aerospace, defense, and cybersecurity industry. The City operates under a Council-Mayor form of government, led by a popularly elected Mayor and nine-member City Council. The Position As the Director, you will guide all aspects of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services, ensuring high-quality service delivery, sound financial management, and strong community relationships. You will oversee budgeting and staffing; manage acquisitions and procurement; evaluate departmental performance; and align resources to support strategic goals. This role requires regular engagement with elected officials, advisory boards, outside agencies, and the public, as well as leadership in maintaining national accreditation standards.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in public administration, parks and recreation administration, business administration, or a related field
Seven years of full-time professional parks and recreation program administration experience
Three years of leadership and supervisory experience.

Responsibilities

Leading departmental operations, programs, and divisions.
Overseeing financial, personnel, and operational activities.
Managing acquisitions, RFPs, and procurement processes in collaboration with internal partners.
Monitoring service delivery and adjusting resources to meet goals.
Serving as liaison to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board and TOPS Working Committee.
Representing the department to elected officials, agencies, and community groups.
Responding to complex community inquiries and advancing positive engagement.
Staying current on trends and best practices in the field.
Other duties as assigned.

Stand Out From the Crowd

Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.

Upload and Match Resume