Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities Department Director

The City of Mesa is seeking a visionary executive to serve as its next Parks, Recreation & Community Facilities Director. This nationally accredited system blends neighborhood parks, recreation programming, aquatics, and major public venues into one of the most visible and community-impacting departments in the region.

Serving more than 3 million annual visits, the department includes hundreds of parks and basins, sports complexes, recreation centers, adaptive and youth programs, aquatics facilities, a convention center, amphitheater, event venues, and professional spring training stadiums.

The Director provides strategic and operational leadership to 351 full-time employees and oversees a $53 million operating budget, balancing community access with financial sustainability. This role serves as the City’s primary authority on parks and recreation, advising executive leadership and City Council while ensuring high-quality service delivery across a diverse system.

This classification has been designated as a non-classified, non-merit system, at-will position.

The ideal candidate will be:

• Strategic and Operational: Able to see the big picture while understanding the realities of delivering programs and maintaining facilities every day.

• A Strong People Leader:This department spans long-tenured professionals, seasonal and part-time staff, and young employees just entering the workforce. The Director must build trust, develop leaders, and foster a culture of accountability and inclusion.
• Comfortable in Public and Political Environments:You will represent the department with City leadership, advisory boards, regional partners, and the community. Diplomacy, clarity, and credibility are essential.
• Financially Savvy: The role involves oversight of a large and diverse operating budget, balancing general fund responsibilities with cost recovery expectations in commercial and program areas.
• Collaborative Across the Organization:Success depends on strong partnerships with schools, regional partners, Engineering, and other City departments.

Compensation and Benefits

The compensation and benefits package is competitive and negotiable depending on the experience and qualifications of the chosen candidate. The annual salary range for this position is $158,828-$212,284.

The City of Mesa offers attractive benefits, including:

• 4 day – 10-hour/day work week (M-Th 7 a.m.-6 p.m.)

• 11 holidays per year

• 96 hours of vacation annually for the first two years, 144 hours of vacation annually thereafter

• 40 hours of discretionary time granted as a new hire, 30 hours of discretionary time thereafter

• 96 hours of sick time annually

• Executive physical and 1.5x salary life insurance

• Variety of medical insurance plans for all full-time Mesa employees and their dependents

• Lifetime health insurance benefits for retirees who have worked for at least 20 years for the city

• Mesa has a wellness center (primary and preventive care) at no cost for employees and their dependents enrolled in a city medical plan

• Dental and Vision insurance

• Group life insurance

• Flexible benefits plan to meet the employees’ needs

• Deferred compensation program, including employer participation with a minimum of one-year of service

• Arizona State Retirement System

  
  

For more information, visit: www.mesaaz.gov/Careers-Benefits/Employee-Benefits

*Some benefits currently offered to employees may be modified in the future.

Qualifications:

Any combination of training, education, and experience equivalent to graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's Degree in Business, Public Administration, Park and Recreation Management, or a closely related field. A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible managerial, supervisor, and administrative experience.

Must possess a valid Class D Arizona Driver's License by hire or promotion date.

Preferred/Desirable Qualifications:
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master’s Degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Parks and Recreation, or a related field is highly desirable. Executive-level experience with one or more of the following: convention centers, amphitheaters, or public assembly venues; professional or amateur sports facilities (e.g., baseball stadiums); golf courses or cemetery operations; parks, aquatics, and large-scale recreation systems; or adult, youth, teen, and adaptive recreation programs. Certification as a Parks and Recreation Professional. Membership in professional organizations such as International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM), National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), and/or Arizona Parks and Recreation Association (APRA) membership is desirable

Applications

To be considered for this exceptional career opportunity, submit your resume, cover letter, and a list of six work-related references that will not be contacted until the final interviews (two supervisors, two direct reports, and two colleagues). Your resume should reflect years and months of employment, as well as the size of staff and budgets you have managed.

Resumes will be reviewed in-depth and candidates with the most relevant experience will be invited for a screening interview with the Consultant. The most qualified candidates, as deemed by the city, will be invited to interview with the City of Mesa. A preliminary media check will be conducted on all semi-finalist candidates, and a full background and reference check on the selected candidate.

Application Deadline: Friday, March 13, 2026

Please go to the following website to submit your application: https://cpshr.us/recruitment/2592/

For further information contact:

Abby Ackers

CPS HR Consulting

Senior Executive Recruiter

aackers@cpshr.us

Website: www.cpshr.us