Executive Director

The Downers Grove Park District Board of Commissioners seeks a visionary leader to serve as their agency's Executive Director. A bachelor’s degree with at least 5 years of administrative experience in the park and recreation field is desired. The ideal candidate possesses strategic and long-range planning experience collaborating with a board, dynamic personnel management skills and demonstrated success in the creation and management of a sound fiscal operation.

Qualifications

1. A bachelor’s degree in park and recreation administration or related field. A master’s degree is preferred.
2. At least five years of administrative experience in the park and recreation field. Experience as a director or deputy director and CPRP/CPRE designation preferred.
3. Knowledge of park and recreation issues, trends, alternative financing, marketing and public relations.
4. Strong personnel management skills, including the ability to assign personnel and delegate responsibilities with assurance and accountability.
5. Possess an understanding of sustainability principles and management of natural resources and the eco-system.
6. Comprehensive planning skills and experience. Ability to assess community needs, research trends and innovative concepts as they apply to improvement of the agency operations and long-range planning.
7. A person of great integrity, honesty, self-confidence and charisma who possesses excellent oral and written communication skills.
8. Must possess compassion and the ability to communicate collaboratively across all departments.
9. Demonstrated success in administration and budget management. Must have experience in the creation of a sound fiscal program including capital projects, budgeting, forecasting, development of projects through the referendum process and leveraging grants.
10. A strong understanding of the mission of a dynamic park and recreation agency and the importance, as well as the role, of the independent board members in accomplishing that mission.
11. Experience maintaining and improving community services with a high level of customer satisfaction as well as planning, establishing and evaluating a vision for the agency.