Team Gilbert has an exciting opportunity for a highly motivated professional to fill the position of Parks and Recreation Manager - Recreation. With every job we fill, our focus is on providing best-in-class service to our citizens while offering opportunities for professional growth in a rewarding, innovative work environment.

The Recreation Manager is part of Parks and Recreation’s executive leadership team, overseeing nationally recognized facilities such as Cactus Yards and The Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch. The Recreation Manager plans, develops, supervises, manages, and evaluates activities, facilities, programs, and personnel for the division. This includes oversight of daily operations, policies, budget administration, and the Gilbert Park Ranger program. The role identifies opportunities for improving service delivery methods and procedures, determines resource needs and alternative funding mechanisms, fosters partnerships, and oversees service contracts.

The Parks and Recreation Manager reports to the Parks and Recreation Director. The primary job duties of this position include:

Manages the activities and staff of an assigned division, which includes planning, coordinating, and administering projects, processes, procedures, systems, standards, and/or service offerings. Ensures compliance with applicable Federal, state, and local laws, regulations, codes, and/or standards;
Demonstrates ability to consistently track departmental performance measures and analyze data for effective decision-making and creating innovative concepts for staff and service delivery efficiencies;
Prepares long-range plans and assists with developing master plans and other strategic documents; conducts research; prepares surveys; interprets results for use in planning, evaluation, and decision-making; continually monitors and evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery, assesses workload, reporting relationships and opportunities for improvements within the programs, services, and facilities managed and maintained by the Division;
Manages budgets for division operations. Conducts fiscal/economic impact studies and cost/benefit analyses to prepare budget projections; assists with developing annual operating and capital improvement budgets; monitors revenues for programs; reviews and proposes fee structures; and obtains grant funding for department projects and prepares required grant applications and reports;
Assists in the development of master plans and strategic documents as well as the design, remodeling, and construction of parks, facilities, and amenities; meets with the Capital Project team including contractors, consultants, and staff members to discuss progress and work products; monitors and inspects projects to ensure compliance with contract specifications; manages warranty items and improvement projects, overseeing the maintenance of parks and amenities, equipment, and grounds.
View the full job description HERE.

Tentative Recruitment Timeline

Posting Closes: April 5, 2026
Virtual On-Demand Interview Invites: April 8, 2026
Tentative In-person Interviews: April 27, 2026
Tentative Start Date: May 26, 2026

Minimum Qualifications & Special Requirements

At Team Gilbert, we hire innovative, forward-thinking problem-solvers who love what they do! In addition to possessing the ability to live out our core and functional values daily, candidates must possess the following requirements:

Bachelor's Degree in Parks & Recreation Administration, Turf Management, Public Administration, Business Administration or a related field.
Master’s in Business or Public Administration preferred.
Seven years of progressively responsible experience in Parks & Recreation Operations, Parks Management, or Recreation Management,
Seven years of budgeting experience.
Seven years of supervisory experience.
Five years of research and analytics experience.

LICENSING/CERTIFICATIONS:

Valid Arizona Driver's License.
NRPA Certified Park and Recreation Professional preferred.

This position is an At-Will position and is FLSA Exempt - ineligible for overtime compensation.

To view the slide show presentation above, click here.Gilbert is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. If any reasonable accommodation is needed while participating in the application and interviewing process, please contact our People Team (Human Resources) at 480-503-6823. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation.

Gilbert provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

Gilbert, Arizona

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Parks & Recreation Manager - Recreation