Director, Parks, Recreation & Culture

In our journey towards greater diversity, we invite applications from members of equity-seeking communities including racialized and Indigenous persons, women, persons with disabilities, persons of all gender identities, ages and sexual orientations who bring value through their lived experiences.

We strive to provide an inclusive workplace and believe in progressive and barrier-free recruitment for all. If at any time during the application or recruitment process you require additional assistance or an accommodation, please email ***email_hidden*** and we would be pleased to discuss how best to accommodate your needs.

Director, Parks, Recreation & Culture

Department: Recreation & Culture

Closing Date: Aug 10, 2026 4:30 PM

Competition Number: 26-88

Job Summary

Are you a collaborative and forward-thinking leader with a passion for parks, recreation, and culture? Are you motivated by the opportunity to shape inclusive, sustainable, and vibrant community spaces and services that enhance quality of life and strengthen community? If so, the City of Nanaimo invites you to consider this senior leadership opportunity.

Reporting to the General Manager, Community Services & Deputy CAO, the Director of Parks, Recreation & Culture is a key member of the City’s senior leadership team. You will provide strategic and operational leadership to a diverse portfolio that includes parks operations and planning, recreation and wellness services, cultural and sporting programs, facilities, events as well as the stewardship of Nanaimo’s extensive network of parks, trails, open spaces, and natural areas.

Through a team of managers, you will lead a large, unionized and exempt workforce, ensuring services are delivered in alignment with Council priorities, corporate strategic plans, and community needs. You will champion community engagement and partnerships, support arts, culture, and heritage initiatives, oversee operating and capital budgets, and contribute to a high-performance organizational culture grounded in collaboration, accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.

Duties and Responsibilities

Please see the job description PDF below.

Requirements

Ideally, you hold a degree in Recreation or Resource Management, Public Administration, Business Administration, or a related discipline. You are a strategic thinker and effective relationship-builder with a minimum of eight (8) years of progressively responsible experience, including senior leadership experience in a public sector, unionized environment. An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may be considered. Possession of a valid Class 5 BC Driver’s License is required.

Compensation and Benefits

This is a permanent full-time exempt position offering 35 hours of work per week, with the salary range of $161,427.71 to $171,731.61 as well as a competitive benefits package.

Comments

Shortlisted applicants may be required to undergo a criminal record check and/or a verification of their education credentials. To apply for this opportunity, please submit a resume and cover letter (.docx or PDF file format) to ***email_hidden*** referencing the specific competition 26-88 by the application deadline.

The City of Nanaimo is an inclusive employer that values diversity and invites applications from all qualified individuals who are legally entitled to work in Canada. We thank all applicants in advance for their interest; however, only those selected for further consideration will be contacted. If shortlisted for the role and need an accommodation within the hiring process, we would be pleased to discuss how best to accommodate your needs.