Manager, Recreation and Community Engagement

Job Brief

This position provides strategic and operational leadership for municipal recreation, aquatics, wellness, community engagement, customer experience, facility booking, and departmental funding programs.

Permanent Full time

NON-UNION

Internal/External Applicant(s)

10/07/2026

N/A

Wage $128,232 - $150,013 salary annually (2026)

Reports To Director, Community Services

Department Community Services

Location City of Kawartha Lakes

Hours Full-time is 37.5 hours per week

Other Combination of general office environment and occasional off-site travel. Attend meetings, conferences and departmental emergency situations, which may be outside of normal business hours.

Job Description

• Lead the planning, development, implementation and evaluation of municipal recreation, aquatics, wellness, community engagement, partnership and customer experience services to ensure programs are responsive to community needs, aligned with municipal priorities, and support healthy, inclusive and connected communities

• Provide leadership and oversight for recreation operations, customer service functions, facility booking services, departmental funding programs and related staff teams, including the development of service plans, operational processes, policies, procedures and standards to support effective, consistent and high-quality public service delivery

• Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with community organizations, user groups, agencies, businesses, volunteers, Council, internal departments and other stakeholders to enhance recreation opportunities, community participation and shared service outcomes

• Develop, administer and monitor divisional operating and capital budgets, including forecasting, financial analysis, procurement, grant opportunities, reporting and funding program administration to support responsible resource management, operational sustainability and community investment priorities

• Lead the planning, development, implementation and evaluation of municipal recreation, aquatics, wellness, community engagement, partnership and customer experience services to ensure programs are responsive to community needs, aligned with municipal priorities, and support healthy, inclusive and connected communities

• Provide leadership and oversight for recreation operations, customer service functions, facility booking services, departmental funding programs and related staff teams, including the development of service plans, operational processes, policies, procedures and standards to support effective, consistent and high-quality public service delivery

• Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with community organizations, user groups, agencies, businesses, volunteers, Council, internal departments and other stakeholders to enhance recreation opportunities, community participation and shared service outcomes

• Develop, administer and monitor divisional operating and capital budgets, including forecasting, financial analysis, procurement, grant opportunities, reporting and funding program administration to support responsible resource management, operational sustainability and community investment priorities
• Monitor recreation trends, participation levels, customer feedback, legislative requirements and emerging industry practices to identify opportunities for service improvement, innovation, operational efficiency and continued alignment with municipal and industry best practices

As a member of the leadership team

• Develop directives, standards, work plans for self and team members, and measurements in area of responsibility, in order to Deliver the defined goals and priorities

• Develop and administer methodologies and procedures and allocate resources to achieve strategic objectives, provide oversight of the delivery of organizational business processes and internal audits as well as internal communications

• Complete continuous research and analysis of industry trends in order to remain knowledgeable within the applicable areas of responsibility

• Demonstrate leadership in supporting team members, providing feedback and/or corrective action as needed
• Estimate budget requirements, making recommendations to inform current and future expenditures
• Procure services and goods related to areas of responsibility, including the authorization of time off requests, time worked and overtime costs
• Manage stakeholder interactions in the supply and receipt information and analysis and resolution of issues
• Manage customer service concerns, investigating, problem solving and responding as appropriate
• Administer public relations activities on behalf of the department, identifying and communicating with all necessary audiences
• Prepare comprehensive statistical reports to support department reporting requirements and decision making
• Ensure collaborative partnerships are formed and maintained inside of the organization
• Create and maintain a cohesive team environment to support staff to achieve objectives
• Responsible for the hiring, onboarding, performance management and supervision of staff in a unionized environment, in consultation with People Services

• Administer the terms of the applicable Collective Agreements, in collaboration with People Services; act as a supervisor under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA)

• Perform other related duties as assigned

Skills/Education Required

• Post-secondary degree in Recreation Administration, Leisure Studies, Public Administration, Business Administration or a related field
• Minimum seven (7) years of related progressive experience, preferably in a municipal environment
• Demonstrated experience overseeing recreation programming, aquatics, wellness services, customer experience operations, facility bookings and community engagement initiatives
• Demonstrated experience establishing and maintaining partnerships with community organizations, user groups, agencies and stakeholders
• Knowledge of relevant legislation, regulations and standards related to municipal recreation services, accessibility, health and safety, risk management and public sector service delivery
• Demonstrated leadership and management skills at a level to ensure successful program and employee performance outcomes and management
• Demonstrated knowledge and application of financial budget and business planning processes
• Possess and demonstrate the knowledge, skills and personal attributes as described in the key performance competencies outlined below
• Proficient in Microsoft Office suite of applications, audio/video conferencing, the internet and any other related software

• Possess and maintain a valid Ontario Class “G” Driver’s Licence or the ability to frequently attend work related activities at various sites within the municipality or at other sites within Ontario

• Upon a conditional offer of employment, a Criminal Record Check will be required