Deputy Director of Recreation
City of Richmond, Virginia
The Deputy Director of Recreation provides strategic, operational, and administrative leadership for the City of Richmond’s recreation portfolio. This position oversees citywide recreation services, community centers, aquatics, athletics, youth and adult programs, cultural arts, senior services, and citywide events to ensure equitable, high-quality programs that enhance the quality of life for all residents.
Serving as a key member of the PRCF Executive Leadership Team, the Deputy Director of Recreation drives innovative program development; ensures operational excellence; strengthens partnerships; aligns services with the City’s strategic goals; and advances the Department’s mission to provide inclusive, safe, and enriching opportunities that support community health, youth development, and neighborhood vitality.
Key Responsibilities
Leadership & Strategy
- Provide vision and direction for all recreation divisions, ensuring programs are equitable, accessible, and aligned with community needs and city priorities.
- Develop and implement strategic plans, performance measures, and service delivery goals.
- Lead change-management initiatives to modernize operations and strengthen organizational culture.
- Represent the Department in executive-level meetings, interdepartmental committees, and public forums.
Operational Management
- Oversee day-to-day operations of recreation centers, aquatics facilities, athletics programs, after-school and summer programs, events, cultural arts, and specialized recreation services.
- Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, safety standards, and risk management protocols.
- Manage staffing plans, scheduling, operational workflows, and emergency procedures for all recreation sites.
Financial Oversight
- Develop, monitor, and manage operating budgets for all recreation services.
- Identify opportunities for grants, sponsorships, cost recovery, and revenue-generating initiatives.
- Ensure responsible stewardship of resources and adherence to city procurement and financial policies.
Community Engagement & Partnerships
- Foster strong community relationships with residents, neighborhood groups, schools, nonprofits, and partner agencies.
- Support and promote events and initiatives that build community engagement, youth development, and healthy lifestyles.
- Respond to community inquiries, concerns, and feedback in a timely and effective manner.
Workforce Development & Supervision
- Provide leadership, coaching, and supervision to recreation management staff and center supervisors.
- Support training, succession planning, and performance evaluation processes.
- Promote a culture of inclusion, respect, accountability, and continuous improvement.
Program Development & Innovation
- Lead the design and evaluation of recreation programs to ensure they meet diverse community needs.
- Introduce innovative programming with a restorative justice lenses, partnerships, and approaches rooted in best practices.
- Use data, community input, and research to guide program decisions and resource allocation.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Recreation Management, Public Administration, Parks & Recreation, Community Development, or a related field.
- Seven (7) or more years of progressively responsible experience in recreation management, including leadership of large programs, facilities, budgets, and teams.
- Demonstrated experience managing diverse recreation operations and staff in an urban municipal environment.
Preferred Qualifications
- Master’s degree in Public Administration, Recreation Management, or related field.
- Certified Parks & Recreation Professional (CPRP) or Certified Parks & Recreation Executive (CPRE).
- Experience working in a large, diverse metropolitan parks and recreation system.
- Experience leading equity-focused recreation programs and community engagement strategies.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
- Strong leadership, decision-making, and communication skills.
- Knowledge of best practices in recreation programming, youth development, aquatics, athletics, and facility management.
- Skill in budgeting, resource allocation, and operational planning.
- Ability to build partnerships and collaborate across departments and with community groups.
- Commitment to equity, community-centered service delivery, and organizational excellence.
Contact
Interested applicants and nominations should be submitted electronically to:
Monica Crafts
Managing Director
The Carvir Group
678-438-4719
