Parks Strategic Initiatives Manager

City of Arlington; United States; On-site; USD 94,000 - 117,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Arlington seeks a seasoned manager to lead the Parks, Recreation & Culture Department’s strategic initiatives, analytics, accreditation, and funding efforts. You will oversee research, performance measurement, and innovation to support city priorities and long‑term financial sustainability.

You will supervise a diverse team, coordinate cross‑divisional data analytics, manage contracts and sponsorships, and collaborate with partners to improve service delivery and community impact.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of public administration, parks and recreation management, strategic planning, project management, performance measurement, and organizational improvement.
• Knowledge and experience related to accreditation, performance standards, benchmarking, policy implementation, and continuous improvement.
• Knowledge of data analytics, dashboard development, performance reporting, and data‑driven decision making.
• Ability to prepare analytical reports, budgets, and executive summaries.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic initiatives, research, analytics, accreditation, and partnerships to advance department goals.
• Develop, implement, and monitor programs, partnerships, and sponsorships.
• Hire, train, and supervise a diverse team to achieve work objectives.
• Coordinate and support data analytics, dashboards, and reporting for executive decision making.

Skills

Public administration

Strategic planning

Project management

Performance measurement

Data analytics

Accreditation

Budget development

Contract administration

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in public administration

Job description

DEPARTMENT Parks Recreation & Culture SALARY $93,888.90 - $117,361.13

JOB SUMMARY

Under general direction, manages and coordinates strategic initiatives, research, data analytics, accreditation, grants, sponsorships, partnerships, and innovation efforts for the Parks, Recreation and Culture Department. This position supports department-wide planning, performance measurement, process improvement, alternative funding strategies, and implementation of special projects that advance City Council priorities, departmental goals, community needs, and long-term financial sustainability.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Lead and direct strategic initiatives associated with the department’s work plan, including research and analytics, community engagement, accreditation, innovation, and special project implementation. Develops, implements, and monitors strategic initiatives, special projects, programs, partnerships, and services. Coordinates cross-divisional efforts related to data-driven decision making, Trust for Public Land scoring and benchmarking, artificial intelligence implementation, sponsorship development, opportunities, and other initiatives that improve service delivery, operational efficiency, community impact, and organizational performance. Lead and support data analytics efforts, including the collection, analysis, visualization, and reporting of operational, financial, programmatic, customer service, and community impact data to support executive decision making. Hire, train, direct, and supervise the performance of a diverse team of professional, technical, and/or clerical employees to achieve department work objectives. Prepare strategic, business, and work plans reflecting Council priorities, public input, regulatory requirements, accreditation standards, and community needs. Interact with residents, consultants, other departments, community partners, special interest groups, City Council, boards, commissions, and other stakeholders to convey information about goals and objectives, policies, regulations, requirements, strategic initiatives, and city services. Develop, negotiate, monitor, and manage professional service agreements, sponsorship agreements, partnership agreements, grant agreements, memorandums of understanding, and related contracts that support departmental initiatives and alternative funding strategies. Identify, research, coordinate, and support grant opportunities, sponsorship prospects, public-private partnerships, philanthropic opportunities, and other funding strategies that align with departmental priorities and community needs. Coordinate and support the department’s CAPRA accreditation process, including tracking compliance with standards, coordinating documentation, supporting annual reviews, preparing for reaccreditation, and working with divisions to maintain accreditation readiness. Support responsible implementation of artificial intelligence tools, automation, dashboards, and other emerging technologies to improve operational efficiency, customer service, reporting, communication, and strategic planning.

OTHER JOB FUNCTIONS

Monitor and analyze benchmarking tools, including Trust for Public Land Park Score criteria and other parks and recreation industry benchmarks, and recommend strategies to improve departmental performance, access, equity, amenities, investment, and community outcomes. Assemble, educate, and guide the work of staff committees, project teams, technical advisory committees, and cross-functional work groups.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required: Knowledge of the fundamental principles, concepts, practices, and theories of public administration, parks and recreation management, strategic planning, project management, performance measurement, and organizational improvement. Knowledge and experience related to sponsorship development, partnership management, grant research, alternative funding strategies, contract administration, and public-sector program implementation. Knowledge and experience related to accreditation, performance standards, benchmarking, policy implementation, and continuous improvement, preferably within parks, recreation, culture, local government, or a related public service field. Knowledge of data analytics, dashboard development, performance reporting, customer survey methods, benchmarking, and the use of data to support operational and strategic decision making. Knowledge of emerging technology, artificial intelligence tools, automation, and innovation practices that may be applied responsibly in a local government or public service environment. Knowledge and experience related to professional service procurement, contract negotiation, contract monitoring, and contract administration. Knowledge and experience in budget development principles, financial reporting, fiscal accountability, and analysis of program or project performance. Skill in communicating orally, visually, graphically, and in writing with people both inside and outside the organization. Ability to lead organizational learning and improvement based on the establishment, tracking, and interpretation of performance measures. Ability to lead process improvement teams, internal training programs, and implementation efforts related to strategic initiatives. Ability to prepare analytical reports, feasibility reports, staff reports, presentations, dashboards, and executive summaries. Ability to communicate plans and resource priorities to staff and community stakeholders. Ability to prepare and track complex budgets, financial reports for fiscal accountability, detailed analytics related to specific programs and projects, and work progress indicators for purposes of periodic reporting and budget management. Ability to build and assemble project teams representing affected stakeholders, internal departments, community partners, and technical subject matter experts. Ability to effectively coordinate and supervise the work of professional, technical, and administrative personnel. Ability to conduct technical research, benchmarking, and policy analysis and present findings in a clear, concise, and actionable manner. Ability to work independently on multiple complex projects under minimal supervision. Ability to develop alternative solutions to problems, evaluate courses of action, and make sound recommendations. Ability to operate a personal computer and use project management, data analysis, presentation, reporting, dashboard, survey, and office productivity software. Ability to perform a variety of physical skills including, but not limited to, seeing, typing, writing, and entering data on a personal computer. Ability to plan, organize, monitor, and evaluate subordinate work assignments to accomplish department objectives. Ability to analyze and measure the effectiveness of resource allocations with respect to long- and short-range objectives.

Qualifying Education and Experience: Bachelor’s degree in public administration, parks and recreation management, business administration, urban planning, data analytics, communications, nonprofit management, or a related field Five (5) years of related experience, including two (2) years of progressively responsible supervisory, project management, or program management experience Any combination of equivalent education and experience will be considered Must possess a valid Texas Class C Drivers License

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Preferred Education and Experience: Experience with accreditation processes, grant writing and administration, sponsorship program development, public-private partnerships, and data analytics is preferred. Professional certification through NRPA, CPRP, data analytics, grant management, or another related professional credential is preferred but not required.

PRE-EMPLOYEE SCREENING:

Criminal background check Motor Vehicle Review (MVR) Drug and Alcohol Testing

City of Arlington is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The people that work for the City of Arlington directly impact our community, citizens, visitors and businesses.

Become a leader in your chosen profession by joining the City’s dynamic workforce and make a positive contribution to the American Dream City!

The City of Arlington is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The City will make reasonable accommodations upon request for qualified individuals with disabilities.

Requests for reasonable accommodations should be sent to [e-mail].

If you do not find a job that suits your experience, we welcome you to introduce yourself so Human Resources may be able to guide you to other opportunities.