Recreation Services Director

Salary: $175,062.72 - $225,000.00 Annually
Location : City Hall - Human Resources, 201 W. Palmetto Park Road, Boca Raton, FL 33432, FL
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: TBD
Department: Recreation Services
Division: Administration 61/20001
Opening Date: 09/14/2026
Closing Date: 10/14/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
FLSA: Exempt
Bargaining Unit: Z

For more details about this career opportunity, check out the hiring brochure here:

Starting September 17, 2026, applications will be evaluated based on the qualifications listed below. The most qualified candidates will be invited to interview with the City of Boca Raton.

The Recreation Services Director provides executive leadership and strategic direction for one of the City's most community-focused departments. This executive-level position is responsible for the overall leadership, management, and direction of the Recreation Services Department, including its diverse portfolio of programs, facilities, services, and operations.

With a focus on City priorities, the Recreation Services Director establishes strategic goals aligned with City priorities, the Recreation Services Master Plan, and evolving community needs. The Director leads a broad range of recreational services and amenities, including parks, athletics, aquatics, racquet sports, golf, community centers, libraries, camps, special events, and other recreational programs and facilities.

This position offers an exceptional opportunity for an experienced public-sector leader to shape the future of recreation services, enhance quality of life, foster community wellness, and ensure the City continues to provide innovative, accessible, and high-quality recreational experiences for residents and visitors.

Essential Functions

• Provides executive leadership, vision, and strategic direction for the Recreation Services Department in alignment with the City's Strategic Plan, the Department's Strategic Plan, the Parks and Recreation Master Plan, and organizational priorities.
• Serves as the City's principal advisor on recreation facilities and services, community wellness, quality-of-life initiatives, and emerging industry trends.
• Leads all departmental operations through subordinate managers, ensuring organizational effectiveness, operational excellence, and exceptional customer service.
• Shapes, implements, and monitors the Department's Strategic Plan, long-range initiatives, departmental goals, performance measures, and service standards that support continuous improvement in alignment with City priorities.
• Guides the planning, delivery, evaluation, and enhancement of comprehensive recreation services, including park, preserve and athletic field maintenance, libraries, aquatics, athletics, racquet sports, golf, community centers, adaptive recreation, nature center, special events, outdoor recreation, and other community programs.
• Directs the planning, design, construction, renovation, replacement, and lifecycle management of recreation facilities and related capital improvement projects.
• Coordinates capital improvement planning and project implementation in collaboration with City departments, consultants, contractors, and other public agencies.
• Develops and maintains a collaborative working relationship with the Greater Boca Raton Beach and Park District to coordinate strategic planning, capital improvement initiatives, funding opportunities, recreation programming and policies, and shared community pride.
• Evaluates community needs, demographic trends, and industry best practices to develop innovative recreation programs, facilities, and services.
• Ensures effective stewardship of public assets through sound risk management, regulatory compliance, and responsible operational oversight.
• Promotes sustainable, resilient, and accessible facility design and operational practices.

• Develops departmental policies, operating procedures, and administrative practices that ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, accreditation standards, and City policies.
• Oversees the recruitment, selection, coaching, mentoring, performance management, and professional development of management and supervisory staff.
• Shapes organizational development initiatives, succession planning, leadership development, employee engagement, and workforce planning.
• Builds strategic partnerships with educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, youth sports organizations, cultural organizations, community groups, and business partners.
• Leads community engagement efforts related to recreation planning, capital improvements, and service delivery.
• Advises the City Manager, Deputy City Manager, City Council, advisory boards, and executive leadership on departmental operations, policies, budgets, and strategic initiatives.
• Represents the City before community organizations, professional associations, governmental agencies, and regional, state, and national recreation organizations.
• Serves as executive liaison to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board by providing professional guidance, preparing agendas and reports, presenting departmental initiatives, facilitating board recommendations, and supporting implementation of Board and City Council priorities.
• Prepares and presents executive reports, policy recommendations, strategic analyses, and performance updates to executive leadership and elected officials.
• Collaborates with the City's Public Affairs staff to provide executive oversight of department communications, marketing, branding, public information, and digital customer engagement.
• Directs the implementation and use of technology, business intelligence tools, performance dashboards, and data analytics to improve operational efficiency, customer experience, and informed decision-making.
• Establishes and monitors key performance indicators, customer satisfaction metrics, and operational benchmarks to evaluate departmental performance.
• Directs departmental emergency preparedness, continuity of operations, disaster recovery, and emergency response activities in coordination with City departments and partner agencies.
• Leads the Department during declared emergencies and ensures staff readiness through planning, training, and emergency exercises.

Financial Responsibilities:

• Develops, administers, and monitors the Department's operating and capital improvement budgets while ensuring fiscal responsibility, long-range financial sustainability, and effective resource allocation.
• Oversees enterprise operations, cost recovery strategies, grants, sponsorships, contracts, procurement, concessions, and alternative revenue opportunities.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of executive leadership, municipal administration, and recreation services management.

• Recreation program development, facility operations, capital planning, budgeting, and public-sector financial management.
• Strategic planning, performance measurement, organizational development, and continuous improvement practices.
• Applicable laws, regulations, safety standards, accessibility requirements, and industry best practices.
• Public-sector personnel management best practices including recruitment, labor relations and progressive discipline.

Skilled in:

• Strategic program development and long-range service planning.
• Budget development, financial analysis, and resource allocation.
• Capital planning and project prioritization.
• Public speaking and presentation before governing bodies and community stakeholders including complex interdepartmental coordination.

Ability to:

• Provide strategic leadership and direction for a diverse recreation services department.
• Plan, organize, and direct complex operations through subordinate managers and supervisors.
• Develop and administer budgets, policies, programs, and performance standards.
• Analyze community needs and translate priorities into effective services and initiatives.
• Establish effective partnerships with community organizations, agencies, and stakeholders.
• Establish a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, inclusion, and continuous organizational improvement.
• Communicate effectively with executive leadership, elected officials, employees, and the public.
• Promote a safe, welcoming, equitable, and inclusive environment that enhances the quality of life for residents and visitors.
• Lead organizational change; foster an environment that encourages innovation such as technology adoption, deployment of new recreation models, process improvement and public-private partnerships; and promote accountability and customer-focused service delivery.

Minimum and Preferred Qualifications
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in Parks and Recreation Administration/Management, Public Administration, Business Administration, or closely related field.
• Ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in recreation, parks, community services, or a related public-sector environment, including:
  • Five (5) years in a senior management or executive-level role.
• Direct experience directing complex recreation programs, facilities, operations, and services through subordinate managers and supervisors.
• Demonstrated experience in strategic planning, budget administration, personnel management, policy development, and community engagement.
• Experience developing and managing operating and capital budgets, contracts, partnerships, and service improvement initiatives.
• Valid driver's license required.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master's degree in Parks and Recreation Administration/Management, Public Administration, Business Administration, or closely related field, strongly preferred.
• Experience as a department director or assistant director overseeing a comprehensive municipal recreation services organization.
• Experience managing major recreation facility planning, capital improvement projects, enterprise operations, and revenue-generating programs.
• Certified Parks and Recreation Executive (CPRE) or Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP) credential.
• Experience with CAPRA accreditation, enterprise recreation operations, and leadership within a nationally recognized or award-winning municipal recreation agency.

Physical and Environmental Demands and Conditions
The environmental conditions and physical demands described herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• Occasionally ascending or descending ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, poles and the like.
• Occasionally moving self in different positions to accomplish tasks in various environments including tight and confined spaces.
• Continuously remaining in a stationary position, often standing, or sitting for prolonged periods.
• Continuously moving about within the immediate work area to accomplish tasks.
• Continuously moving from one worksite to another.
• Occasionally adjusting or moving objects up to 10 pounds in all directions.
• Continuously communicating with others to exchange information.
• Continuously repeating motions that may include the wrists, hands and/or fingers.
• Continuously operates a computer and other equipment using motions requiring manual dexterity or fine motor skills.
• Occasionally operating motor vehicles or heavy equipment.
• Continuously assessing the accuracy, neatness and thoroughness of the work assigned.
• Continuously able to observe details accurately and identify variances.
• Occasionally lift/carry objects 10 pounds or less.
• Occasionally push/pull objects 10 pounds or less.
• Continuously working in a normal office environment with few physical discomforts.
• Occasionally working in an area that is somewhat uncomfortable due to drafts, noise, temperature variation or the like.
• Occasionally working in an area that is very uncomfortable due to extreme temperature, noise levels, or other environmental conditions.
• Occasionally working in an outdoor area where exposure to animals, reptiles and/or insects may occur.
• Occasionally working with equipment or performing procedures where carelessness would probably result in minor cuts, bruises or muscle pulls.
• Continuously demonstrating regular in office or on-site attendance, with ability for remote work assignment as operations allow.

Essential Employee Designation

When normal operations of City departments are suspended or interrupted due to a declaration that a state of emergency exists, any employee may be deemed essential by the City. For the preparation and/or continuation of emergency operations or for special work detail, employees deemed necessary shall be required to work.
POST OFFER PRE-EMPLOYMENT SCREENING REQUIREMENTS:
Final offer and employment are contingent upon successful completion of the following post-offer, pre-employment screening items:

• Criminal Background Check
• Employment Verification
• Reference Checks
• Education Verification
• Certification / License Verification

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Each applicant mu