Parks and Recreation Deputy Director

Come join the City of Appleton! Here at the City, you’ll have the opportunity to grow and enjoy your best life through challenging work, great teams, training opportunities, and making a lasting impact on the community. We welcome and respect all employees as they are. Come join our team—you belong here!

The City of Appleton is accepting applications for a full-time Deputy Director of Parks & Recreation
. This is a management position responsible for providing strategic leadership and operational oversight for the Parks, Recreation, Facilities Management, and Reid Golf Course divisions. The position provides direction and support to division managers, leads departmental planning and initiatives, oversees operating and capital budgets, and evaluates programs and services to ensure they effectively meet community needs. The position also works closely with City departments, community organizations, contractors, and other partners on capital projects, policies, grants, contracts, and service improvements.

The incumbent works under the general direction of the Director of Parks & Recreation.

• Provides executive leadership, direction, and support to Parks, Recreation, Facilities Management, and Golf Course leadership teams. Leads strategic initiatives, operational priorities, and organizational improvements that advance the Department's mission and ensure effective service delivery.
• Provides leadership and performance management for assigned staff, including coaching, employee development, performance evaluations, personnel actions, and the establishment and monitoring of organizational performance measures to evaluate services, improve operational effectiveness, and support budget development and decision-making.
• Promotes a culture of collaboration, accountability, innovation, employee development, equity, inclusion, and exceptional public service throughout the Department.
• Develops and maintains strong partnerships with schools, local governmental agencies, community organizations, businesses, and other stakeholders to support Department initiatives, coordinate services, and meet the needs of the community. Represents the Department on professional committees and work groups as assigned.
• Works collaboratively with other City departments to support cross-departmental initiatives, coordinate services, and advance projects related to parks, recreation, facilities, community development, environmental stewardship, and capital planning.
• Represents the Department in public meetings, community events, media inquiries and interactions, and community outreach efforts. Collaborates with Department leadership and communications staff to support public relations, community engagement, and communication of Department initiatives.
• Leads short- and long-range planning efforts for parks, recreation services, golf operations, and other community amenities. Evaluates community needs, industry trends, and emerging best practices to guide updates to departmental master plans and collaborates on the City's Comprehensive Plan as it relates to parks and recreation.
• Assists in the development and administration of the Department's annual operating and capital improvement budgets, with primary responsibility for Parks, Recreation, and Golf operations and support for Facilities Management as assigned.
• Collaborates with Reid Golf Course Superintendent on operations and works with golf staff to support strategic planning, financial performance, customer experience, marketing initiatives, capital improvements, tournaments, community partnerships, and long-term sustainability.
• Leads the evaluation and continuous improvement of recreation programs, facilities, and services through participation trends, customer feedback, operational performance, and community needs.
• Collaborates with the Recreation Manager to develop strategies that enhance service delivery, increase participation, ensure financial sustainability, provide accessible recreation opportunities, and respond to the evolving needs of the community.
• Collaborates with the Grounds Manager to develop strategies that enhance park operations, preserve and improve park assets, expand recreational amenities, and provide safe, accessible, and well-maintained parks and open spaces for the community.
• Provides oversight and coordination for capital projects, facility improvements, and park development projects. Collaborates with staff, consultants, and contractors to support successful project planning and implementation. Reviews project plans and specifications as needed.
• Coordinates with internal departments, consultants, and contractors to support assigned projects, review project requirements, and ensure successful implementation.
• Develops, reviews, and implements Department policies and procedures to support effective, efficient, and consistent delivery of programs, services, and facilities to the community and internal customers.
• Identifies, coordinates, and supports grant…