Parks & Recreation Director

Town of Hopkinton MA•Hopkinton, MA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Town of Hopkinton is seeking a Parks & Recreation Director to lead its municipal Parks & Recreation Department. This role involves overseeing programs, athletics, events, parks, playgrounds, and recreational facilities, serving the entire community. The Director will manage full-time and seasonal employees, collaborate with the Parks & Recreation Commission, town departments, schools, community organizations, residents, coaches, and families. Daily tasks may include program development, facility issue resolution with DPW, budget review, commission meeting preparation, community partner engagement, and problem-solving. The position requires leadership in managing resources, building partnerships, and strategic planning for the department's future needs. The ideal candidate will be adept at leading and developing a team, fostering trust, considering diverse perspectives, making informed decisions, and managing competing priorities. This role requires public interaction, balancing strategic vision with operational details, budget management, employee support, program and facility oversight, and Commission collaboration. Understanding the operational aspects of parks and recreation, including facilities, fields, public spaces, seasonal operations, and safety, is crucial. Experience with waterfront or aquatic operations, particularly in natural settings like lakes or ponds, is highly valued. The Town of Hopkinton is committed to equal opportunity, diversity, and inclusion, and encourages all qualified candidates to apply.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree with major coursework in recreation administration, public administration, business administration, or a related field.
Three to five years of progressively responsible municipal or state experience managing a significant parks and recreation department — or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Valid driver's license required.
Red Cross CPR and First Aid certifications required or must be obtained within one year of hire.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree preferred.
Experience overseeing waterfront or aquatic operations is especially welcome, with experience in natural waterfront settings such as lakes or ponds particularly valuable.
MRPA and/or NRPA certification preferred.

Responsibilities

Lead a busy municipal Parks & Recreation Department serving people throughout the community through programs, athletics, events, parks, playgrounds, and recreational facilities.
Lead full-time and seasonal employees.
Work closely with the Parks & Recreation Commission, Town departments, schools, community organizations, residents, coaches, families, and other partners.
Work with staff on new programs.
Talk through facility issues with DPW.
Prepare for Commission meetings.
Review the budget.
Meet with community partners.
Solve unexpected problems.
Lead people, manage resources, build partnerships, and think about what Hopkinton needs today and what it will need next.
Lead and develop a team.
Build trust.
Listen to different perspectives.
Make thoughtful decisions.
Keep things moving when priorities compete.
Work with the public.
Move comfortably between the big picture and the details.
Set priorities.
Manage a budget.
Support employees.
Oversee programs and facilities.
Work with a Commission.
Oversee the operational side of parks and recreation - facilities, fields, public spaces, seasonal operations, safety, and the details that keep everything running.
Oversee waterfront or aquatic operations.
Demonstrate sound judgment, creativity, initiative, collaboration, and enthusiasm for public service.