Senior Director, Recreation & Leisure Services

About The Role

Reporting to the Chief of Community Services, the Senior Director provides executive leadership and strategic direction for the Recreation & Leisure Services Department. This position is responsible for developing organizational priorities, overseeing departmental operations, managing significant operating and capital budgets, and ensuring the delivery of equitable, innovative, and high-quality recreation services throughout Savannah. As the department's executive leader, the Senior Director serves as the principal advisor on recreation policy and operations, represents the department before City leadership and, when requested, before City Council, and cultivates partnerships that expand recreational opportunities across the community.

The Leader We're Looking For

The successful candidate understands that this role requires both operational rigor and human-centered leadership – and treats these as inseparable, not competing, priorities. Recreation & Leisure Services meets community members at some of their most meaningful moments: a child learning to swim, a family gathering to grieve or celebrate, an older adult finding connection after isolation, a teenager finding support and belonging through an after-school program. Leaders who thrive here can manage budgets, facilities, and performance with discipline– while never losing site of the people those numbers represent and their staff who make it happen every day.

They Are:

• A strategic thinker who moves between big picture direction and hands-on problem solving.
• A visible, present leader who builds trust through direct engagement with staff, residents, and community partners.
• A leader who sets high expectations while investing in the growth of their full staff, from leaders to frontline.
• A confident communicator, equally effective briefing City leadership and connecting with residents at a community event.
• A data-informed decision maker who uses performance metrics, staff knowledge, and community input to guide program and budget decisions.
• Comfortable operating within a structured, accountable public-sector environment while continuing to support complex human-centered frontline recreation work.
• A leader who brings emotional intelligence and collaboration to daily work, and raises difficult issues early for support rather than absorbing them alone.
• Passionate about creating recreation opportunities that strengthen neighborhoods and improve quality of life.

Why This Role Matters

The Recreation & Leisure Services Department impacts thousands of Savannah residents every day through recreation centers, athletic programs, aquatics, therapeutic recreation, senior programming, youth development, special events, and community partnerships. As Senior Director, your leadership will help shape healthier neighborhoods, greater independence and connection for older adults, meaningful opportunities for individuals and families of every kind, safer communities, and a higher quality of life for generations to come. If you are a visionary public servant who believes recreation is essential to building thriving communities—and you're ready to lead a talented team toward the future—we encourage you to apply.

Essential Job Functions

As Senior Director, you will:

• Provide executive leadership for the Recreation & Leisure Services Department while aligning departmental priorities with the City's Strategic Plan.
• Inspire, coach, and develop division leaders while building a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, and professional growth.
• Lead with presence—remaining visible throughout the organization, actively supporting staff, and engaging with residents and community stakeholders.
• Develop and execute long-range strategic initiatives that enhance recreation services, facilities, and community impact.
• Oversee all departmental operations, including recreation programming, aquatics, athletics, therapeutic recreation, youth services, senior services, and community events.
• Direct the planning, maintenance, and lifecycle management of recreation facilities and aquatic amenities in partnership with other City departments.
• Manage the department's operating and capital budgets while ensuring responsible stewardship of public resources.
• Lead grant development, contract administration, revenue-generating initiatives, and long-term capital planning.
• Establish meaningful Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and use both quantitative data and qualitative community feedback to evaluate performance and improve services.
• Champion accessibility, equity, safety, regulatory compliance, and outstanding customer service across every division.
• Build trusted relationships with schools, nonprofit organizations, athletic associations, neighborhood groups, governmental agencies, and community partners.
• Advise the Chief of Community Services, the City Manager, and key executive leadership on recreation policy, funding opportunities, operational priorities, and emerging industry trends, and present to City Council as needed.
• Lead organizational change initiatives that position the department for long-term success and sustainability.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Recreation Administration, Public Administration, or a closely related field.
• Master's Degree preferred.
• Six (6) years of progressively responsible management or executive leadership experience in community recreation, parks and recreation, municipal operations, or a related public service environment.
• An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may be considered.
• Valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record or ability to obtain one.
• Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP) certification preferred.

Additional Information

Work Schedule: Monday–Friday (hours vary)

Additional Requirements: Background investigation, including supervised drug screen, pre-employment medical screen; and verification of education, certifications, and licenses required prior to employment. The hiring team will invite successful semi-finalists to participate in virtual interviews and skill evaluations. Candidates are encouraged to reserve the dates for virtual meetings once they have been notified regarding the next steps in the hiring process.

Knowledge, Skills & Experience

Successful candidates will demonstrate experience in:

• Executive leadership and organizational development
• Strategic planning and organizational performance
• Public sector budgeting and financial stewardship
• Capital planning and facilities management
• Recreation and leisure services administration
• Grant administration and revenue development
• Community engagement and public policy
• Data analytics, performance measurement, and KPI development
• Building high-performing teams
• Change management and continuous improvement
• Public presentations and executive communications
• Negotiation, conflict resolution, and consensus building

Supervisory Controls

Work involves setting policies and goals under the direction of the Chief, Community Services. The supervisor reviews work through conferences, reports, and observation of department activities.

Guidelines

Guidelines include City policies, Title III federal and state regulations, CBS/Adult Day Care state regulations, USDA Department of Early Care and Learning guidelines, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and fire and health regulations. These guidelines require judgment, selection, and interpretation in application.

Complexity

The work consists of varied duties related to directing and managing the programs, services, buildings, grounds and employees of the Recreation and Leisure Services department. Communication difficulties, working with special populations and minors, and incidents of conflict and/or vandalism contribute to the complexity of the position.

Scope and Effect

The purpose of this position is to direct and manage the programs, services, buildings, grounds and employees of the Recreation and Leisure Services department. Successful performance helps ensure the provision of recreational services to citizens of the City of Savannah.

Personal Contacts

Continuing contact involving difficult negotiations calling for a well-developed sense of timing and strategy; representing the department or organization in policy settings. Contacts are typically with the Chief of Community Services and City Manager on strategic and operational matters, City Council in advisory and briefing capacities as requested by the City Manager, other City departments including Park and Tree on shared facilities and the Police Department on youth athletics programming (PALS), co-workers and other City employees, City residents, and community partners such as youth organizations, senior services partners, and neighborhood organizations, as well as professional associations including GRPA and NRPA.

Purpose of Contacts

Contacts are typically to give or exchange information, resolve problems, and provide services.

Physical Demands

The work is typically performed while intermittently sitting, standing, stooping, or walking. The employee occasionally lifts light and heavy objects.

Work Environment

The work is typically performed in an office or outdoors.

Supervisory and Management Responsibility

This position has direct supervision over managerial, administrative and program staff.