About This Position
The City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department is the proud steward of more than 41,000 acres of desert parks and mountain preserves with 200 miles of trails; 29 pools; 8 golf courses; 16 specialty areas; 189 flatland parks; 10 preserve areas; and 33 community centers. Well over a million Phoenix-area residents regularly enjoy Phoenix's traditional city parks and their playgrounds, walking paths, athletic fields, and open green spaces. The department has a $158 million-dollar operating budget and a $422 million-dollar five-year Capital Improvement Program funded by various sources including the voter-approved Phoenix Parks and Preserve Initiative.
The Parks and Recreation Department is seeking an experienced and high-performing leader to serve as Deputy Parks and Recreation Director for the Management Services Division. Deputy Parks and Recreation Directors plan for the future needs of the department and the community by developing and presenting policy and operational recommendations to department and city management, and city Boards and Commissions as needed.
Responsibilities
The Deputy Director reports directly to the Assistant Director and supervises teams of administrative, technical, and professional staff in the areas of financial planning and resource management, budget, accounting services, administration, information technology, and procurement and contract services with approximately 25 staff members total. Some of the major responsibilities of the position include:
- Manage department financial functions, including forecasting, revenue projections, operating and CIP budget development, expenditure analysis and reporting, and general accounting. Establish, manage, and monitor fiscal management controls.
- Oversight of department information technology applications including two revenue-generating recreational registration systems, SharePoint, and various operational databases.
- Manage department procurement activities including solicitation of professional services, revenue contracts, goods and services, numerous agreements with non-profit organizations, and intergovernmental agreements. Ensure compliance with the procurement system and ordinance, contract management processes and compliance, and small dollar purchasing. The department manages approximately 200 various types of agreements and processed about 20 procurements last fiscal year.
- Administer approximately 90 South Mountain Communication Tower licenses and flatland park monopole sites.
- Coordinate with Finance Department Real Estate Division on all department real estate transactions including purchase, sale, easements, and leases. Serve as the department lead for the Land Water Conservation Fund program.
- Provide administrative support to the Assistant Directors and Director and perform administrative duties and special projects as assigned. Work involves the use of initiative and independent judgement within a framework of established policies and procedures.
- Liaison with other City departments and non-City entities on matters affecting department operations such as Risk Management, Law, and Audit. Management Liaison to Phoenix Parks and Preserve Initiative Oversight Committee.
- Demonstrate superior seamless customer service, integrity, and commitment to innovation, efficiency, and fiscally responsible activity.
- This position will work with every function in the Parks and Recreation Department; therefore, positive and effective communication skills are a must.
- The Deputy's work assignments are broad in scope and require knowledge of City rules and regulations, financial forecast and budgeting methodologies, contract and procurement administration, communications, and sound business processes.
The current vacancy will manage the Parks and Recreation Department Management Services Division. Deputies are responsible for overseeing numerous contracts and operating agreements with non-profit and external partners. Deputies must exhibit excellent communication and interpersonal skills, as they frequently interact with community groups, non-profit organizations, other City departments, and City Council and Mayor's Office staff. This job requires in-office work, and the work location is 200 W. Washington St., Phoenix, AZ 85003. This position works a minimum of 40 hours per week and demonstrates flexibility and an understanding of the importance of meeting critical deadlines and the department's business needs.
Please note, assignments are subject to change at any time based on operational needs of the Department.
IDEAL CANDIDATE
- Demonstrates resilience and adaptability during organizational change, while maintaining transparency and trust with staff.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills, with a track record of driving operational efficiency and sustainability.
- Skilled in overseeing large budgets, and day-to-day operations to ensure safety and quality.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to engage with stakeholders, including elected officials, City departments, and community partners.
- Committed to public service and improving community access to recreation and enrichment programs.
- Comfortable working with community groups, non-profits, and City leaders to build strong partnerships.
- Comprehensive understanding of the philosophy of "Completed Staff Work" and accountability of self and others.
- Skilled in navigating complex interpersonal dynamics and resolving conflicts in a manner that strengthens team cohesion and trust.
SALARY
Pay Range: $123,802.00 - $168,210.00 annually.
Hiring Range: $123,802.00 - $143,873.60 annually.
Pay Range Explanation
- Pay range is the entire compensation range for the position classification.
- Hiring range is an estimate of where you can receive an offer. The actual salary offer will carefully consider a wide range of factors, including your skills, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, training, and internal equity.
- The City contributes 9% of salary into 457/401(a) plans with no matching required. $4,200/annual car allowance and $1,440/annual cell phone allowance.
Your job classification can be found in eCHRIS > Personal Details under your name, located in the top left section of the page.
The pay grade and classification/unit of your current position may be found by looking up your job title on the job description page.
Benefits
A comprehensive Middle Manager benefits package is offered which includes:
- Traditional pension with employer and employee contributions, click here for more details: Pension Information
- 401(a) and 457 plans with employer contributions
- Choice of generous medical HMO, PPO, or HSA/HDHP plans
- Medical enrollment includes a monthly $150 City contribution to a Post-Employment Health Plan
- Wellness incentive of up to $720 annually
- Dental, vision, and life insurance options
- Employer paid long-term disability
- Free Bus/light rail pass
- Tuition reimbursement program up to $6,500 per year
- Paid time off includes 13.5 paid holidays, 12 vacation days, and 15 sick days and personal leave days
- Paid Parental Leave for eligible employees up to 480 hours (12 weeks) of paid leave for the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child during a 12-month period
- Federal Student Loan Forgiveness offered through Savi
For more details, visit: Middle Manager Benefits.
Minimum Qualifications
- Five years of progressively responsible experience in government or non-profit large agency management positions.
- Including three years of experience in an administrative position with supervisory responsibility and responsibility for program management and budget administration.
- Bachelor's degree in recreation or parks management, public or business administration, or finance and accounting, or a related field.
- Other combinations of experience and education that meet the minimum qualifications may be substituted
- All finalists for positions are subject to a criminal background check applicable to the department or position.
- Some positions require the use of personal or City vehicles on City business. Individuals must be physically capable of operating the vehicles safely, possess a valid driver's license and have an acceptable driving record. Use of a personal vehicle for City business will be prohibited if the employee is not authorized to drive a City vehicle or if the employee does not have personal insurance coverage.
- For information regarding pre-screening and driving positions, click here.
- The City job description can be found here.
Preferred Qualifications
The minimum qualifications listed above, plus:
Three Years Of Experience In The Following
- Managing large operating budgets.
- Experience with SAP/SRM, SHERPA, or other budget, accounting and procurement systems.
- Experience with Legistar, or similar software, and Council reporting processes.
- Knowledge of and experience with all associated procurement rules and regulations.
- Master's degree in business or public administration, finance, accountancy, or a related field.
- Experience interacting with executive staff, community groups, non-profits, boards and/or elected officials, including creating developing briefing materials and presenting at various meetings.
- Experience working with task forces, department- or citywide initiatives, and inter-departmental work groups.
- Proven leadership experience, including managing multi-faceted operations or multi-disciplinary staff.
- Demonstrated initiative and good judgement.
- Experience working on large-scale projects with defined implementation deadlines.
RECRUITMENT DATES
Recruitment closes April 1, 2026. All materials must be received by 11:59 p.m. on this date.
This is a position-based recruitment and will not result in any ongoing eligibility list. This recruitment and any selection processes resulting from this recruitment may be used to fill other related vacancies within the organization now or in the near future.
How To Apply
Apply online by completing the required information and attaching,
as one document, your cover letter and resume. Please include your experience as it relates to the qualifications stated above. Only the highest qualified may be posted to the eligible to hire list. The results of the resume screening process will be sent to your primary email address.
During the online application process, you will provide responses to the following questions regarding your experience and qualifications (the system allows copy/pasting into the answer fields). Information you provide in these questions should align to the information in your resume.
In 100 words or fewer, describe your experience for each of the following:
- Years of experience supervising employees, including number of staff supervised and level of staff (e.g. clerical, technical, skilled labor, professional).
- Working with community groups, non-profits, boards and/or elected officials.
- Indicate the size and scope of operating budgets and capital improvement programs you have managed.
- Managing multi-faceted operations and/or multi-disciplinary staff.
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- If you require assistance at any stage of the application process due to an accessibility issue, please contact the Human Resources Department by phone at (602) 495-5700 or by text at (800) 367-8939. You may also fill out and submit a Reasonable Accommodation Request Form.
REFERENCE
Deputy Parks & Rec Director, JC:41660, ID# 60986, 03/11/2026, USM, PO, Benefits: MidMgr
Building the Phoenix of tomorrow.
#DoWorkThatMakesPhoenixWork
City of Phoenix is an equal opportunity employer. AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other national service alumni who meet the required qualifications are encouraged to apply.
