General Manager, Parks, Recreation & Culture

Job title: General Manager, Parks, Recreation & Culture

Job description: General Manager, Parks, Recreation & Culture – City of Abbotsford

General Manager, Parks, Recreation & Culture

Exempt, Full-time
Posting # J0822-0854
Closing Date: September 9, 2022

At the City of Abbotsford our people are our greatest asset. We offer a wide range of diverse, stimulating and rewarding career opportunities that support and recognize high levels of performance. In Abbotsford, we work strongly to create a challenging yet rewarding environment for our employees to thrive. We invite you to become part of a place that has strong corporate and organizational values, rewarding career paths, challenging opportunities, and an engaging and dynamic team to work with.

Be part of the story. Join our team today.

Located in the picturesque Fraser Valley, an hour outside of Vancouver, the City of Abbotsford is the fifth-largest municipality in BC with a population of approximately 160,000. Surrounded by majestic mountains and working fields, Abbotsford offers a rural charm and friendly small-town hospitality within a fast-paced urban cityscape that boasts a flair for trade, commerce, and entertainment. Young families and working professionals continue to relocate to Abbotsford, drawn by the affordable real estate, booming economy, and superior quality of life.

Residents have access to extensive civic recreational and entertainment facilities, including indoor and outdoor pools, and a 7000-seat spectator arena that hosts world-class concerts, shows and attractions. Abbotsford’s excellent recreational facilities were the home of the 2004 and 2016 BC Summer Games, and Abbotsford’s major track and field complex hosted the Canadian Track and Field Championships and the Western Canada Summer Games, and preparing to host the 2023 55+ Summer Games. The City is home to two private and three City-operated arenas, hundreds of parks and playing fields, and an extensive trail system that spans the entire community.

Abbotsford’s educational facilities encompass pre-school to post-secondary levels, with full degree programs offered by the University of the Fraser Valley. Elementary and secondary education is provided by both public and privately-operated institutions. The major medical facility is the Abbotsford Regional Hospital and Cancer Centre (ARHCC), a state-of-the-art, 300-bed hospital. The ARHCC provides enhanced and specialized health services to more than 160,000 people in the greater Abbotsford area, and up to 330,000 in the Fraser Valley region. There are also a number of intermediate and extended care facilities as well as a unique Campus of Care tri-fold medical centre that includes the second BC Children’s Hospital.

The Opportunity: General Manager, Parks, Recreation and Culture

Reporting to the City Manager and contributing broadly as part of the Strategic Leadership Team, the General Manager (“GM”) will be responsible for providing strategic leadership and oversight of the Parks, Recreation and Culture (“PRC”) portfolio in alignment with the City’s vision, mission, and values, as well as with City Council’s Strategic Plan.

The General Manager participates in long-term strategic planning and annual budget review, works collaboratively to ensure the effective development and implementation of corporate initiatives, and attends all Council and relevant Committee meetings. The GM will also collaborate across all departments within the City and provide strategic advice and expertise to Council.

The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications and experience:

• A relevant degree such as Recreation & Leisure, Business or Public Administration is preferred, or equivalent experience, and 12 years’ successful experience in leadership and strategic roles related to Parks, Recreation, and Culture with direct oversight of a large complement of excluded and union staff;
• Extensive knowledge of senior leadership roles in public administration or local government;
• Strategic, innovative thinker who embraces change and stays ahead of evolving business opportunities;
• Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills including report writing and presentations;
• Experience in plan preparations, including community consultation;
• Excellent financial management skills, business acumen, and political astuteness; and
• Sound understanding of relationships between BC government, municipalities, and funding agencies.

At the City of Abbotsford, we offer ongoing personal and professional development opportunities, competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits package. To apply, please visit us online at

Closing Date: September 9, 2022; however, the posting will remain open until a suitable candidate is found.

Organization:
Location: Abbotsford, BC
Region: Lower Mainland
Professional Category(s): Parks & Recreation, Executive / Administrative Management
Posted: August 15, 2022, 8:27 am
Expires: September 9, 2022, 4:30 pm

Employment Type: Full Time
Employment Length: Permanent
Education Requirement: Bachelor’s degree
Job Experience: 5 years or more

Click Here to Apply

Source: