General Manager Jobs

POSITION DESCRIPTION

General Manager, Parks & Recreation

Main Purpose and Function

Supporting the Board of Parks and Recreation (the “Park Board”) and reporting the City Manager for administrative oversight, the General Manager, Parks & Recreation provides leadership for the effective delivery of parks and recreation services.

Key Contacts and Reporting Relationships

The General Manager is the chief civil servant supporting the Park Board, comprising seven elected commissioners. The General Manager takes direction from Park Board in respect of matters within the Board’s statutory mandate as defined by the Vancouver Charter.

Administratively, the General Manager reports to the City Manager and is a member of the City’s executive team (City Leadership Team - CLT). Through 8 direct reports, the General Manager oversees a staff complement of approximately 2500 people (1200 full-time equivalents).

The General Manager works in close partnership with other members of the City of Vancouver City Leadership Team (CLT) to manage issues which are outside the exclusive scope of the Park Board as well as to collaborate on shared priorities/initiatives with the City, including corporate support services as well as services to public.

The General Manager represents the Park Board in relationships with local First Nations (Musqueam Indian Band, Squamish Nation, Tsleil-Waututh Nation), federal, provincial, regional and other governments, government-associated agencies, professional associations and organizations, legal counsel, unions, community centre associations and public interest groups.

Specific Duties/Responsibilities

Supporting Elected Officials

• Fosters a constructive working relationship between Park Board staff and elected commissioners.
• Delivers sound, professional advice and establishes systems to provide timely and accurate information to the Board and to City Council.
• Supports the conduct of Board proceedings in accordance with established procedures and laws.
• Fosters a collaborative, non-partisan working relationship with the Park Board to determine present and future service needs and establish priorities for the organization.
• Supports and executes Board policy; ensures staff are organized and working to achieve Board policy objectives.

City Leadership Team

• Ensures alignment of Parks and Recreation with City goals and policies
• Ensures relevant communication and positive working relationships with the General Managers and senior leadership of other City departments
• As a key member of the City Leadership Team, works collaboratively with the City Manager’s Office and senior executives to lead the overall operations of the City.
• Collaborates with colleagues to realize service improvements and efficiencies, as well address issues that warrant a cross-departmental response.

Service Delivery

• Monitors long-term viability of capital assets and oversees the delivery of
• Responsible for the responsive and cost-effective delivery parks and recreation services to the public in accordance with the Board’s direction.
• Ensures compliance with City, provincial and federal legislation and regulations.
• Develops implements and monitors strategic plans and annual business plans.
• Maintains constructive relationships with all stakeholders including unions, community centre associations and commercial partners.
• Community centres, indoor and outdoor pools, rinks, golf courses and marinas.
• Capital projects (new parks, fields and infrastructure) within budgeted parameters for time, scope and cost.
• Oversees operation of 250 parks and 50 major facilities, including

Department Leadership

• Monitors organizational safety performance, identify risks and opportunities for improvement and takes action to address hazards to staff or the public.
• Establishes effective organizational structures, roles and communication processes.
• Fosters a work culture that is inclusive, supportive, performance-focusedand customer-oriented.
• Inspires change and growth, encouraging new ideas and openness to innovative solutions, programs and services with both internal and external stakeholders.
• Builds a cohesive, high-performing leadership team; ensures that Park Board leadership team is clear on individual and team priorities.

Financial Management

• Actively solicits and evaluates opportunities to enhance revenue generation and other funding sources to offset or supplement the property-tax funded budget allocation determined by City Council.
• Responsible for management of operating and capital budgets of the Park Board as part of the overall City budget.
• Commitment to working with the Auditor-General to implementing recommended improvements

Intergovernmental & Community Relations

• Sustains constructive business relationships with all organizations engaged in business or contractual relationships with the Park Board
• Pursues partnership opportunities to support delivery of the Board’s policy objectives.
• Promotes cooperation among governments and public agencies in the delivery of community services.
• Maintains strong working relationships with Musqueam Indian Band, Squamish Nation and Tsleil-Waututh; advances reconciliation with First Nations pursuant to Board policy.
• Maintains relationships with other parks and recreation administrators, provincial and national organizations.

Other duties/responsibilities as assigned

Position Requirements

The ideal candidate is strategic, systems-thinker with exceptional leadership talent, excellent relationship-building skills and the capacity to manage a high level of complexity. They are an experienced executive with a record of success in leading in a large, multi-dimensional organization to deliver on objectives. They have a strong commitment to public service and understand the role of a chief civil servant supporting an elected Board.

Education and Experience:

• A demonstrated track record of high performance in roles that involve leading large teams and working with multiple partners and stakeholders to deliver outcomes
• Experience in reporting to an elected government or a comparable governance body
• Post-Secondary Degree in Public Administration, Recreation or other related field

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to effect transformative change in a complex organization
• Ability to establish strategic plans and prioritize the allocation of available resources to deliver on identified objectives
• Ability to communicate effectively with elected officials, staff, stakeholders and the public
• Strong knowledge base relevant to the delivery of parks and recreation services, including operations management
• Highly-refined leadership, team-building, interpersonal skills; high emotional intelligence and personal resilience
• Aptitude for operating in a political environment with considerable public attention
• Capacity to motivate and build trust with a large, distributed and highly diverse staff team

SE Number: 510595377