Associate Director, Recreation Services

Requisition ID: 43076 

Organization

Located on the traditional, ancestral and unceded lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Peoples, Vancouver has a commitment to becoming a City of Reconciliation. Vancouver consistently ranks as one of the world’s most liveable and environmentally sustainable cities. Named among Canada's Top 100 Employers, BC's Top Employers, and Canada's Greenest Employers, the City of Vancouver seeks colleagues who can help shape and embody our core commitments to sustainability, reconciliation, equity and outstanding quality of life for all residents.

Consider joining our committed team of staff and being part of an innovative, inclusive and rewarding workplace.

The Associate Director, Recreation Services is responsible for leading a staff team that is responsible for developing and managing citywide recreation services and facilities. Citywide services is responsible for Aquatics, Arenas, Fitness, Outdoor Sports Facilities and Sports Services.

The Associate Director, Recreation Services is responsible for the supervision of staff to ensure program continuity and flexibility to meet emerging needs, this includes hiring, termination, evaluation, discipline, support, coaching, professional development and representing the employer in the grievance process. 

As a member of the  Recreation Leadership Team, the Associate Director, Recreation Service’s main focus is on Citywide Recreation Services to ensure customer satisfaction and positive labour relations while delivering cost-effective services and increasing revenues.  The Associate Director, Recreation Services is responsible for the City-Wide Services budget related to their portfolio, revenue targets, financial analysis and regular forecasting, that includes regular review of operating plans, strategies, and practices that are designed for increasing shared services revenue. This position works closely with the Associate Director, Communications, Engagement, and Marketing to develop strategic marketing approaches that will support the sustainment and achievement of these revenue targets.

The Associate Director uses considerable independence of judgement and initiative, including providing expertise to other divisions and developing policy and long-range plans for the Park Board’s Recreation Services.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

• Develops policies, procedures and practices to ensure regulatory compliance in aquatics, fitness and arena operations
• Formulates operation plans for delivery of services and sets standards of services provided.
• Aligns and standardizes operating and safety protocols and practices across all portfolios
• Assesses the level of effectiveness of operational safety protocols and risk management practices to ensure that they are aligned and consistent across all facilities and portfolios
• Liaises and fosters positive relations with industry sector organisations and associations, groups and agencies
• Participates in and oversees the development of plans for Citywide recreation services and facilities including subject matter expertise support for the renewal and new facility planning considerations
• Provides leadership and supervision to staff, including hiring and termination, discipline, performance and attendance management, coaching, training and development.  Inspires, motivates, guides and directs all staff
• Provides coaching on a timely basis; develops goals and expectations, identifies training and development for subordinate staff
• Establishes and maintains communication with staff to discuss policies, administrative issues and share information, programs plans and problems solve around difficulties encountered working in a challenging environment
• Sets performance goals and coaching employees to achieve desired results (move this to the leadership and supervision bullet
• Recommends, develops and implements relevant policies and procedures and ensures staff compliance
• Prepares and monitors and forecasts Citywide Services’ budgets and provides input regarding annual budget planning and projections
• Participates in the development of the Strategic and Service Plans
• Analyzes staffing requirements to ensure efficient use of budget allocation
• Other duties/responsibilities as assigned.

Minimum Qualification Requirements

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor Degree in Recreation and/or a related discipline or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• At least nine (9) years progressively responsible work experience in recreation preferred
• Experience in community development and managing projects and staff teams
• Experience in HR management, including recruiting, dealing with discipline, representing the Employer at grievance hearings and resolving/addressing grievances at the first step in the process
• Experience in capacity building playing a significant role in leading programs, co-ordinating and facilitating efforts of different groups and working in concert with the community.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Considerable knowledge of aquatics, arenas, sports and wellness and recreation services
• Excellent knowledge of community development practices and delivery
• Good knowledge and demonstrated ability to work with civic, provincial and federal levels of government
• Considerable knowledge and experience relating to Parks and Recreation
• Knowledge and understanding of community service issues, familiarity with low-income population, aboriginal and addition issues an asset
• Knowledge of methods and requirements to provide excellent customer service
• Good knowledge and demonstrated experience in HR management, staff training and labour relations
• Knowledge of the methods and requirements of capital, accounting and financial management
• Considerable experience with MS Office software
• A high level of personal and professional excellence, including the ability to align personal and organizational values
• Excellent interpersonal skills including the ability to coach and develop others
• Strong communication skills with the ability to formulate and articulate ideas and opinions
• Excellent ability to resolve conflict and to lead problem solving in an inclusive positive manner with the ability to articulate own goals and those of others
• Strong organizational skills including setting priorities, political awareness and sensitivity
• Ability to plan and control a budget and administer funds
• Ability to plan for, assign work and supervise a diverse workgroup engaged in  different activities
• Ability to work constructively and consultative with staff in the organization, various levels of government, private and public organizations and residents
• Ability to thrive under pressure and handle multiple tasks and changing priorities with tight time frames
• Experience and ability to simultaneously manage and review a number of projects Ability to prepare complex reports
• Ability to carry out skilful negotiations and interest based conflict resolution
• Ability to build partnerships and alliances with peers, business communities, partners and staff
• Ability to manage organizational changes, anticipate future events and determine service delivery alternatives to ensure an efficient use of resources
• Ability to plan work programs and projects, suggest changes and revisions to strategic plans and programs
• Ability to be innovative, flexible and entrepreneurial

Where operationally appropriate and subject to change, the City of Vancouver has a Flexible Work Program. This program allows staff to work remotely 1 – 3 days a week from locations that are a daily commutable distance from their work at a City worksite.  At this time this position is eligible to be part of the Flexible Work Program.

Business Unit/Department: Board of Parks & Recreation (1400) 

Affiliation: Senior Exempt 

Employment Type: Regular Full Time 

Position Start Date: March, 2025 

Salary Information: Pay Grade RNG-121: $136,537 to $179,642 per year

Application Close: March 5, 2025

At the City of Vancouver, we are committed to recruiting a diverse workforce that represents the community we so proudly serve. Indigenous peoples, people of colour, 2SLGBTQ+ persons including all genders and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.  Accommodations will be provided upon request during the selection process. Learn more about our commitment to diversity and inclusion. 

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In addition to uploading your cover letter and resume, part of the application process may include answering application questions related to the preferred requirements of the role which may take approx. 5-10 minutes. Cover letters should express interest and highlight additional information relevant to the position and resumes should include a summary of skills and experience related to the position.