Director of Parks and Recreation

About The Department
The Prince William County Department of Parks & Recreation (DPR) employs approximately 500 year-round employees and has an annual budget of approximately $35 million. DPR manages 5,000+ acres of parkland, comprising more than 80 park properties and 60+ miles of trails. DPR staff operate a diverse portfolio of recreational facilities, services, and programs, hosting many patrons annually and providing unique leisure experiences for residents of all ages, abilities, and recreational interests.

Introduction

About The Department

The Prince William County Department of Parks & Recreation (DPR) employs approximately 500 year-round employees and has an annual budget of approximately $35 million. DPR manages 5,000+ acres of parkland, comprising more than 80 park properties and 60+ miles of trails. DPR staff operate a diverse portfolio of recreational facilities, services, and programs, hosting many patrons annually and providing unique leisure experiences for residents of all ages, abilities, and recreational interests.

Overview

Prince William County seeks a strong, experienced leader to head our Department of Parks & Recreation. This position provides full supervision of a large, dynamic agency responsible for delivering leisure and recreation services that reflect the changing needs of our growing, diverse population and enhance the community's quality of life. This is a high-visibility career opportunity that involves regular interaction with the Board of County Supervisors, the Parks Commission, other County departments, recreation leagues, community groups, and citizens.

The Director is responsible for ensuring that departmental operations align with industry best practices; interpreting and implementing the County's capital improvement and open-space plans; and developing innovative, sustainable future projects that preserve the County's natural resources while effectively addressing the needs of our diverse citizens. The successful candidate will have demonstrated the ability to establish and maintain strong business and community partnerships.

We seek a leader who can create recreational and cultural experiences that foster a vibrant community and help drive holistic community transformation. The ideal candidate will be an effective communicator with high energy and a genuine commitment to providing top-tier park and recreation services to Prince William County's visitors and citizens.



Job Summary

The Director of Parks and Recreation serves as a senior leader responsible for the overall administration and operation of the department, including long-term vision, strategic planning, policy development, and cross-departmental collaboration. The Director provides leadership and direction for all parks, recreation, and cultural service programs, ensuring the department's operations, facilities, and initiatives align with County priorities and community needs. The Director establishes and executes the department's strategic direction, guiding program development, resource allocation, and capital planning to support the County's long-term quality-of-life and service delivery goals.



Key Responsibilities

• Provide executive leadership and overall management of the County's Parks and Recreation Department, ensuring programs, facilities, and services align with the department's Mission, Vision, and Goals and support the County's long-term strategic objectives.
• Develop, implement, and evaluate department-wide strategies, goals, and policies for recreation, parks, and cultural services, ensuring alignment with County priorities and community needs.
• Direct, coordinate, and oversee multiple divisions and program areas, including recreation programming, park maintenance, facility operations, and capital development, ensuring effective collaboration, performance accountability, and achievement of departmental outcomes.
• Oversee the development and administration of the department's operating and capital budgets, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities while maintaining fiscal responsibility and identifying opportunities for revenue generation and cost efficiency.
• Provide leadership and direction to department management staff, including setting priorities, assigning objectives, mentoring leaders, and fostering a high-performing, service-oriented organizational culture.
• Direct and oversee major facility, park, and program development projects, ensuring alignment with community interests, County policies and standards,…