Deputy Director - Parks, Recreation & Arts

East Lansing, home to Michigan State University, is a dynamic community of nearly 50,000 people with historic neighborhoods and a vibrant downtown, and you will be part of the team that keeps it all running.

The City of East Lansing is committed to becoming a fully inclusive place to live, work, visit, and do business. We believe an organization functions at its highest ability when a shared culture that promotes accepting, respecting, and valuing differences that include attributes such as age, income, race, gender, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender expression, sexual identity, ability, language, family circumstances and cultural backgrounds is fostered.

We are seeking individuals who share our commitment to equity, inclusion and reflects the community we serve.

Supports strategic planning, community engagement, and policy development for parks, recreation, and arts initiatives. Manages budgets, projects, and grants for parks and facilities capital improvement planning, ensuring compliance and accuracy. Oversees staff, coordinates reports and presentations, and fosters partnerships with stakeholders and city departments.

• Supports the Director in the execution of department strategic plans, implementation of department-wide initiatives, and direction of operational activities; coordinates major projects and continuous quality improvement activities.
• Performs administrative and financial responsibilities to support capital improvement planning initiatives for parks and facilities by administering and tracking the budget; analyzing long-term budget needs; developing project budgets; and tracking transactions and documents for accuracy and compliance.
• Provides Capital improvement planning project management for parks and facilities by assisting with the development and tracking of bid documents; maintaining contract oversight; and monitoring compliance with city purchasing policy.
• Participates in grant writing, reporting, implementation, and tracking for county, state, and federal grant funds while ensuring compliance with applicable policies and guidelines.
• Supports strategic planning and implementation by assisting the Director in developing and implementing department goals, objectives and strategic plans for parks, trails, recreation programs, and arts initiatives.
• Maintains and develops community and stakeholder engagement by representing the department in meetings with community partners, other city departments, boards and commissions, and other stakeholders to develop and promote programs, address concerns and build partnerships.
• Assists with policy development and reporting by coordinating, synthesizing, and analyzing complex data to provide reports, recommendations, and items for City Council action and presentations.
• Performs related work as required.

• Required Education and Experience
• Bachelor's Degree in Recreation Administration, Public Administration, Natural Resources Management, or related field; 3 to 5 years’ experience in an Administrator or Project Manager role with grant management responsibilities
• Any equivalent combination of training and/or experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be substituted

• City departments, including Parks, Recreation, and Arts
• Recreation and Public Administration
• Accounting practices, budgeting, and purchasing policies
• Principles and practices of employee supervision

• Collaborating with elected and appointed leaders for budget development, capital improvement planning initiatives and developing strategic goals for parks, recreation and arts department
• Fostering partnerships with community partners, city departments and other stakeholders
• Grant writing, contract management, and reporting
• Effective verbal and written communication

• Develop, track and administer multi fund budgets
• Plan, direct, and evaluate division operations and personnel
• Develop and maintain effective and productive working relationships
• Organize and coordinate the efforts of multidisciplinary teams with diverse stakeholders
• Work independently using sound judgment
• Organize, manage and execute large, complex projects and events

• This position primarily performs sedentary work and may occasionally work outdoors or at department facilities, construction sites, meetings, and events.

• Competitive salary with…