Executive Director

Hyland Hills Parks & Recreation District; Federal Heights (CO); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Time Off

401(k) match

District vehicle

Job summary

Hyland Hills Park & Recreation District is seeking an Executive Director to serve as the chief executive officer, reporting to the Board of Directors. The role leads all district operations, sets strategic direction, and ensures compliance with applicable laws and policies.

It requires strong financial oversight and forward‑looking leadership for long‑term community service. The position is at‑will and subject to Board oversight, with broad responsibilities across departments, facilities, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree in public administration, business administration, recreation administration, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum five years of progressively responsible executive or senior leadership experience.
• Demonstrated experience in strategic planning, financial management, and organizational leadership.
• Valid driver’s license, or ability to obtain within one month of employment, and ability to meet District insurability requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead all administrative and operational functions of the District and guide Executive staff.
• Advise the Board on strategic initiatives, financial matters, and risks.
• Ensure compliance with laws, public meetings, records, and governance practices.
• Oversee budget development, financial planning, and fiscal operations.
• Oversee capital planning, procurement, and contract administration.
• Manage workforce, compensation, and leadership development.

Skills

Public sector governance

Budgeting

Procurement

Policy compliance

Colorado districts

Parks & recreation operations

Strategic planning

Financial management

Executive decision-making

Organizational leadership

Communication

Stakeholder engagement

Political acumen

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Advanced degree in public/private administration or recreation field

Job description

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Department: Administration
Reports To: Board of Directors
Revision Date: August 2026
FLSA Status: Exempt

Position Overview

The Executive Director serves as the chief executive officer of the Hyland Hills Park & Recreation District (“District”) and is appointed by and accountable to the Board of Directors (“Board”). The Executive Director is responsible for the overall leadership, administration, strategic direction, and operational performance of the District, including all departments, programs, services, and facilities, subject to Board bylaws, policies, resolutions, and directives.

The Executive Director implements Board-adopted policies and strategic priorities; advises the Board on organizational, financial, and operational matters; and ensures that District services are delivered effectively, efficiently, and in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. This role is expected to provide forward-looking leadership that supports the District’s mission, long-term sustainability, and service to the community.

Employment in this position is at-will unless otherwise provided in a written Employment Agreement approved by the Board of Directors and subject to applicable federal and state law.

Core Responsibilities

Executive Leadership and Administration

The Executive Director directs and manages all administrative and operational functions of the District. This includes providing leadership to Executive staff and other direct reports; establishing organizational goals and performance expectations; ensuring alignment across departments; and maintaining effective internal systems and processes.

The Executive Director is responsible for advising the Board on strategic initiatives, operational matters, emerging risks, and opportunities, and for implementing Board direction in a timely and effective manner. The Executive Director also ensures the preparation and delivery of accurate and timely information to support Board decision‑making.

The Executive Director supports organizational continuity and succession planning by maintaining appropriate documentation of key processes, operational knowledge, and strategic priorities, and by fostering leadership development within the organization.

Legal Compliance and Governance

The Executive Director oversees administrative systems designed to support compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, including those governing Colorado special districts. This includes oversight of public meetings, public records, elections, financial reporting, and related statutory obligations.

The Executive Director reviews contracts, agreements, and other legal instruments and provides recommendations to the Board as appropriate. The Executive Director coordinates with legal counsel on matters of compliance, risk management, and litigation, and supports adherence to Board governance practices and adopted policies.

Financial Management

The Executive Director is responsible for the overall financial management of the District, including budget development, financial planning, and oversight of fiscal operations. This includes directing the preparation of the annual budget and any amendments for Board consideration.

The Executive Director keeps the Board informed regarding the District’s financial condition, risks, and long‑term funding needs, and ensures the implementation of appropriate internal controls and audit practices. The Executive Director promotes financial sustainability and responsible revenue practices consistent with the District’s public purpose.

Capital Projects and Procurement

The Executive Director oversees capital planning, facility development, and long‑range infrastructure investment. This includes recommending financing strategies for capital projects and ensuring that procurement processes are conducted in accordance with District policies and applicable legal requirements.

The Executive Director directs the preparation of bid documents and requests for proposals, evaluates submissions, and makes recommendations to the Board when Board approval is required under established policy. The Executive Director administers approved contracts and monitors project performance, timelines, and expenditures.

Organizational Leadership and Workforce Management

The Executive Director provides executive leadership for workforce management and organizational development. This includes final hiring authority for Executive Staff and other direct reports, oversight of leadership staffing decisions, and evaluation of organizational leadership performance.

The Executive Director oversees compensation administration in accordance with Board‑approved policies, salary structures, and budget authority. The Executive Director fosters a professional, accountable, and collaborative organizational culture; supports employee engagement and leadership development; and ensures consistent application of personnel policies and compliance with applicable employment laws.

External Relations and Community Engagement

The Executive Director serves as a principal representative of the District and maintains effective working relationships with community stakeholders, governmental entities, partner organizations, consultants, and the media.

The Executive Director represents the District at public meetings, hearings, and professional forums, and supports community engagement efforts that align with the District’s mission and strategic priorities.

Additional Duties

The Executive Director performs other duties consistent with the position and as assigned by the Board of Directors.

Working Conditions

Work is performed in administrative offices, parks, recreational facilities, construction sites, and other indoor and outdoor environments. The position requires regular travel between District facilities, attendance at meetings and events (including evenings and occasional weekends), and periodic in‑state and out‑of‑state travel for conferences, training, and other professional development or District business activities, as approved and directed in accordance with District policy. The role involves engagement in a variety of operational settings.

The position requires the ability to move throughout District facilities and environments, and to perform tasks associated with site visits, meetings, and presentations. The role may involve exposure to varying weather conditions, construction environments, and periods of elevated mental and emotional demand.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of public sector governance, budgeting, procurement, policy implementation, and legal compliance; knowledge of Colorado special district operations preferred
• Knowledge of parks and recreation operations, facility management, capital planning, and public service delivery
• Skill in strategic planning, financial management, executive decision‑making, and organizational leadership
• Skill in communicating clearly and effectively, verbally and in writing, in English as needed to perform essential duties, including Board communications, public presentations, written reports, and stakeholder engagement
• Skill in building effective working relationships with Board members, employees, community stakeholders, governmental entities, consultants, partner organizations, and the media
• Ability to manage complex operations, competing priorities, organizational change, and high‑level District challenges
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, discretion, confidentiality, political acumen, and ethical decision‑making in matters involving public trust

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree in public administration, business administration, recreation administration, or a related field preferred
• Minimum five years of progressively responsible executive or senior leadership experience, preferably in parks and recreation, local government, special district administration, or a comparable public service organization
• Demonstrated experience in strategic planning, financial management, and organizational leadership
• Valid driver’s license, or ability to obtain within one month of employment, and ability to meet District insurability requirements

*Please Note: In accordance with Colorado House Bill 21-1051 and applicable open meetings and public records laws, applicant confidentiality may be maintained during portions of the recruitment process. Once finalist(s) are selected, their names will become public, and certain finalist recruitment records may be subject to public disclosure as provided by law. The District will provide at least 14 days’ public notice before the Board appoints the Executive Director.

This job description may be amended from time to time and is established by Hyland Hills Park & Recreation District. The above declarations are not intended to be an all‑inclusive list of the duties and responsibilities of the job described, nor are they intended to be such a listing of the skills and abilities required to do the job. Rather, they are intended only to outline the basic requirements, duties, and general responsibilities of the position. This position is "at will", which means the District may terminate the employment relationship at any time and for any or no reason, subject only to the requirements of Federal and State law. Similarly, the employee may terminate the employment relationship without notice at any time for any or no reason. In addition, all finalists selected for employment with Hyland Hills Parks & Recreation District must undergo a thorough criminal background check.

Benefits Summary

Hyland Hills Park & Recreation District offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support employees and their families, including:

Paid Time Off

Paid Time Off (PTO): 216 hours annually, accrued at 8.31 hours per pay period, for use toward vacation, holidays, and sick leave.
Extended Illness Bank (EIB): Accrues at 3 hours per pay period, up to a maximum of 480 hours, for use during qualifying FMLA leave.
Medical, Dental & Vision

The District pays 100% of monthly medical, dental, and vision premiums for the employee, spouse, and eligible dependents, representing an annual employer‑paid value of approximately $9,600–$23,000, depending on coverage level.
Medical coverage is available through UnitedHealthcare or Kaiser Permanente, with $0 deductible plan options.
Dental coverage is provided through Delta Dental, and vision coverage through VSP.
Benefits are effective the first of the month following completion of the 30‑day waiting period.
An alternative reimbursement option may be available for employees who maintain eligible medical coverage through a spouse's plan.
Retirement

401(k) Retirement Plan: The District provides a 100% employer match on employee contributions up to 6% following six months of employment, subject to plan eligibility requirements.
District Vehicle

Use of a District‑provided vehicle is included with the Executive Director position. The taxable value of personal use of the vehicle is treated as imputed income and reported through payroll in accordance with applicable tax requirements.
District‑Paid & Voluntary Insurance

Long‑Term Disability (LTD): District‑paid coverage providing partial income replacement for qualifying medical leaves.
Basic Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D): District‑paid coverage equal to the employee's annual salary.
Voluntary Life Insurance: Employees may elect additional coverage of up to $150,000 without a medical examination during new‑hire enrollment, with additional coverage options available for eligible spouses and dependents.
Additional Benefits

Flexible Spending Account (FSA): Pre‑tax savings option for eligible healthcare expenses.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Confidential counseling and support services for employees and their families.
Recreation & Facility Benefits

Employees and eligible dependents receive free or discounted access to a variety of District facilities, programs, and attractions, including Water World, Hyland Hills Golf Course, Adventure Golf & Raceway, and the Ice Centre.