Summary
Description
It is an exciting time to work for the City of Aurora, we're growing and looking for dedicated and collaborative individuals to join our team of talented and valued employees. Excellent organizations have a set of principles, or core values, that are used to implement their mission and vision. Those values represent the touchstone for the organization, guiding the decisions of the individuals and the organization. At the City of Aurora, we demonstrate our excellence by modeling the CORE 4 Values of: Integrity, Respect, Professionalism, and Customer Service, and we welcome all who share these values to apply.
Why Work for Aurora?
- Make a difference in the lives of real people every day
- Diverse community
- Competitive total compensation package
- Well-Funded General Employees Retirement Plan
- Light rail station minutes away
- On-site fitness center and overall employee well-being programs Internal educational programs to assist with career advancement
- Access to innovation workspaces
PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Ready to drive Aurora's recreation and golf scene? We're seeking a Deputy Director to oversee everything from vibrant rec centers and pools to five glorious golf courses. This isn't just a job; it's your chance to shape community fun, lead a huge team, and boost our financial stability. You'll be the go-to liaison, crafting strategies and ensuring programs meet community needs. If you're a strategic thinker with a knack for making things happen and a passion for recreation, tee up your application!
Hiring salary $129,213 – $161,516/annually
Salary to be commensurate with experience.
The deadline to submit applications is Friday, June 6, 2025. Please note, the City of Aurora will conduct ongoing screenings of applications on a first-come, first-served basis; as soon as we determine a qualified pool of applicants exists, this position may be closed without notice.
Qualified candidates will be contacted no later than June 13th to participate in phone screens between June 16th and 20th.
The Deputy Director of Golf and Recreation Services will oversee a diverse range of recreational and golf operations within the City of Aurora. The Recreation division includes four recreation centers, six outdoor pools, a center for older adults, community centers, and various recreational programs (e.g., aquatics, sports, preschool, special events, and services for older adults). The Golf division manages five golf courses and associated facilities, such as pro shops, restaurants, and maintenance areas.
Reporting to the Director of Parks, Recreation, and Open Space, the Deputy Director will supervise two direct reports, the Manager of Recreation and the Manager of Golf, along with approximately 140 full-time and 500+ seasonal employees.
This position offers an exciting opportunity to lead and shape the future of Aurora's recreational and golf services while engaging with the community and driving impactful changes.
PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
- Collaborate with executive management to set long-term goals and strategic direction for golf and recreation divisions.
- Ensure that programs align with organizational objectives and community needs and meet the needs of various community groups and demographics.
- Develop and implement policies and procedures for the smooth operation of facilities and programs.
- Assist in developing and managing annual budgets for recreation and golf programs, ensuring adherence to financial targets.
- Develop pricing strategies and promotional activities to maximize participation and revenue.
- Assist in developing marketing strategies to promote golf courses and recreational programs.
- Assist in the preparation of reports, presentations, and proposals for senior leadership and governing bodies.
- Ensure compliance with all local, state, and federal regulations concerning health and safety, environmental standards, and recreational programs.
- Serve as a liaison between the public, staff, city management, and City Council to promote effective communication and engagement.
- Represent the organization at public events, meetings, and conferences related to golf and recreation.
- Developing relationships with the city council and enhancing the financial stability of the organization, including identifying new revenue opportunities.
- Evaluating and improving programs, facilities, and services to better serve the community.
- Acting as Director in their absence, representing the department at key meetings and events.
- Perform duties as assigned
This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS & WORKING CONDITIONS
An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that demonstrates required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered.
Education:
- Bachelor's Degree in Recreation Management, Sports Management, Public Administration, Business Administration, or a closely related field.
Experience:
- At least eight (8) years of leadership and management experience in municipal recreation with a highly engaged community.
- Business experience in a recreation setting; including supervision of large teams (100+ FTE), strategic planning, performance-based management objectives, recreation program and partnership development, and sustainability efforts involving economic and social policy development and implementation.
Licenses and Certifications Required:
- Good driving record (MVR required at time of application) and Colorado driver’s license required.
- This position may require the incumbent to occasionally use personal equipment (e.g. vehicle, cell phone, tools, etc.) in the course of their employment.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Master's Degree in Recreation Management, Sports Management, Public Administration, Business Administration, or a closely related field.
- Certifications in golf course management or recreational management.
Knowledge:
- Knowledge of best practices for developing and managing recreational programs for various age groups, abilities, and demographics.
- Understanding of golf course operations, maintenance, and tournament planning.
- Knowledge of local, state, and federal regulations concerning public facilities, safety, and accessibility.
Skills:
- Skills in use of personal computers and related software that includes word processing, database, and spreadsheet applications.
- Proficiency in managing budgets, financial reporting and analysis, and revenue generation.
Abilities:
- Ability to make informed, timely decisions that align with organizational goals and community needs.
- Ability to create compelling and informative presentations and marketing strategies.
- Ability to juggle multiple projects and tasks, prioritize effectively, and meet deadlines.
- Ability to lead, motivate, and develop staff, fostering a high-performance team environment.
- Strong ability to analyze challenges and develop effective, creative solutions.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Essential Personnel:
- When a local announcement of emergency or disaster is declared by the city, all City of Aurora employees may be required to work as essential personnel.
Physical Demands:
- Light physical work requiring occasional lifting (up to a maximum of 20 pounds), carrying, walking, and standing.
- Vision for reading/interpreting reports and data for analysis and preparation.
- Hand/eye coordination for computer operation.
- Foot/eye coordination for motor vehicle operation.
- Speech communication and hearing to maintain communication with contractors, employees, and citizens.
Work Environment:
- Works primarily indoors but may work outdoors with exposure to varying weather conditions, noise, fumes, chemicals, and dust.
Equipment Used:
- Personal computer, motor vehicle.
For Veterans preference: Please show all of your employment history, including military service and related documentation (DD214) on the application.
The City of Aurora is an equal opportunity employer. We are required by state and federal agencies to keep certain statistical records on applicants. It will not be used in any way to discriminate against you because of your sex, race, age, sexual orientation, creed, national origin, disability or military status, gender identity, unless related to a bona fide occupational qualification as defined by the Colorado Civil Rights Commission and the Equal Opportunity Commission.
Despite the changes in Colorado law, the City of Aurora maintains a drug-free workplace. A positive test of marijuana is grounds for disqualification and ineligibility for employment with the city for one year or termination once hired.
Drug Testing, Thorough Criminal Background Check, and Employment References:
As a condition of employment, all applicants selected for employment with the City of Aurora must undergo a thorough criminal background check and drug screening. Employment references will be conducted on finalists for City of Aurora vacancies.
