Director of Parks and Recreation

Prince William County; Virginia; On-site; USD 168,000 - 227,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Retirement from VRS

401a and 457 retirement plans

Paid Annual Leave / Sick Leave / ...

Paid Holidays

Group Medical, Dental, & Vision Plans

Group Life Insurance

Career Development Opportunities

Job summary

Prince William County seeks a strong, experienced leader to head the Department of Parks & Recreation, providing executive oversight of a wide range of programs, facilities, and cultural services. The Director will shape strategy, manage budgets, and build partnerships with the Board, agencies, and community groups to enhance the county's quality of life.

The role demands high energy, clear communication, and a commitment to service excellence.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in recreation management, business or public administration, physical education, or a related field.
• Eight (8) years of progressively responsible experience in recreation, parks, cultural services, or public administration, including supervisory or management experience.
• CPRE or NRPA certification is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide executive leadership and overall management of the County's Parks and Recreation Department.
• Develop, implement, and evaluate department-wide strategies, goals, and policies.
• Direct, coordinate, and oversee multiple divisions and program areas.
• Oversee operating and capital budgets, ensuring alignment with priorities and identifying revenue opportunities.
• Provide leadership to department management staff and foster a high-performing culture.
• Direct major facility, park, and program development projects within timelines and budgets.
• Review programs to ensure performance and alignment with County goals.
• Develop and sustain partnerships with boards, committees, and community stakeholders.
• Represent the department in meetings with volunteers, leagues, and civic partners.
• Maintain public visibility and address concerns with strong customer service.

Skills

Leadership

Budget management

Strategic planning

Public administration

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher in recreation management, business or public administration, physical education, or related field

CPRE or NRPA certification

Job description

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, timelines, and budgets.
• Review, approve, and monitor departmental programs and initiatives on an ongoing basis — analyzing costs, revenues, staffing levels, and population served — to ensure performance expectations are met and outcomes align with County-wide goals.
• Develop and sustain strong internal and external partnerships, representing the department in meetings, committees, task forces, advisory groups, and effectively communicating priorities, opportunities, and community impact to County leadership and stakeholders.
• Serve as a liaison to volunteer groups, sports leagues, environmental organizations, and civic partners, cultivating relationships that expand the department's reach and resources.
• Maintain the department's public visibility and image as a valued community resource, meeting directly with citizens and community groups to promote available resources, gather input, and address concerns with a strong customer service standard.
• Analyze departmental programs, facilities, and processes to identify opportunities for improvement, innovation, and enhanced service delivery, ensuring facilities are safe, well-maintained, and effectively utilized.
• Perform other duties of a similar nature or level as required.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or higher in recreation management, business or public administration, physical education, or a related field.
• Eight (8) years of progressively responsible experience in recreation, parks, cultural services, or public administration, including supervisory or management experience.

Preferences

• Ten (10) or more years of progressive experience in recreation, cultural, and park management, including senior-level or executive leadership in a large, complex organization, public-sector, or government experience strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated success leading, managing, and developing high-performing teams, with a track record of fostering transformative organizational and cultural change.
• Comprehensive knowledge of the objectives, principles, and best practices of public recreation and park administration, including maintenance, facilities, equipment, and infrastructure required to support a full-service recreation and parks program.
• Demonstrated ability to plan, organize, and direct comprehensive recreation, parks, and community events and programs tailored to community needs.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, elected and appointed officials, civic organizations, community partners, and the public.
• Extensive experience developing and managing operating and capital budgets, including financial planning, forecasting, and long-range departmental strategic planning.
• Strong knowledge of applicable Federal, State, and local laws and regulations governing public parks and recreation operations, risk management, and compliance.
• Certified Park and Recreation Executive (CPRE) or equivalent NRPA certification.

Special Requirements

None

Work Schedule

Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm, with flexibility to work additional hours as needed.

Hiring Salary Range

$167,506.75 - $226,626.77 Annually

Benefits

• Retirement from the Virginia Retirement System (VRS)
• 401a and 457 retirement savings plans
• Paid Annual Leave / Sick Leave / Personal Leave
• Paid Holidays
• Group Medical, Dental, & Vision Health Plans
• Group Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Career Development Opportunities

Full-time positions with Prince William County Government qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness. Click here PSLF for additional information.

NOTE: The above position description is intended to represent only the key areas of responsibilities; specific position assignments will vary depending on the business needs of the department. To view the class description in its entirety, click here for the class description.

Prince William County offers medical plans with corresponding pharmacy and basic vision coverage, as well as dental plans and a separate vision plan.

• Temporary
• Provisional
• Seasonal employees

Click on the link below to explore our plans and rates.

Prince William County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the County will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.