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Deputy Director of Recreation

City of Richmond, Virginia

The City of Richmond seeks a transformational municipal recreation leader to serve as Deputy Director of Recreation in the Department of Parks, Recreation & Community Facilities (PRCF). This role oversees approximately 150 full-time staff, 100 seasonal employees, and a $16.3M budget.

The next leader will professionalize operations, implement structured performance management, modernize service delivery, and position recreation as a measurable driver of youth development, public health, and neighborhood vitality.

Richmond's recreation system stands at a pivotal moment. With strong executive support, significant capital investment, and improved national recognition, the city is poised to strengthen recreation as a platform for youth development, community engagement, and neighborhood vitality.

This role offers the opportunity to shape the future of recreation in a city that values equity, innovation, and measurable impact. The Deputy Director will influence organizational culture, professional standards, and community outcomes for years to come.

Overview

The City of Richmond is the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia and a dynamic urban center with deep historical roots and strong civic momentum. Richmond has experienced significant public investment in infrastructure, capital projects, and neighborhood revitalization. City leadership has prioritized equity, operational excellence, and measurable community impact across all municipal services. Located in the east-central part of the state along the James River, it's a historic hub blending colonial history, Civil War significance, and modern urban revival.

The Department of Parks, Recreation & Community Facilities (PRCF) plays a central role in advancing community well-being, neighborhood vitality, youth development, and public health outcomes. Within PRCF, the Recreation Division represents the largest operational portfolio and serves as the most direct point of daily engagement between the city and its residents.

Recreation includes approximately 150 full-time employees and 100 seasonal or part-time staff. The division manages two-thirds of the Department's $25 million operating budget. Services include recreation centers, aquatics, athletics, after-school and summer programming, cultural arts, senior services, and citywide events.

Recreation in Richmond is positioned as a stabilizing force addressing trauma, poverty, and youth diversion. Programming is expected to reflect restorative justice principles, community voice, and measurable equity outcomes.

Geography and Climate

Location: Situated in the Piedmont region on the James River; 100 miles south of Washington, DC, and 90 miles north of Raleigh; 2 hours from the Blue Ridge Mountians and from Virgina Beach.

Landscape: The James River bisects the city and creates Class III-IV rapids; over 3,500 acres of public parks; 25% tree coverage and extensive urban trails.

Climate: Hot summers, mild winters with modest snowfall. High humidity, with periodic tropical storms and hurricanes.

Economy

Richmond has a diversified economy that includes public, financial services, healthcare and advanced industries.

Key sectors: Government (state capital); Finance (Capital One, Federal Reserve); Healthcare (VCU Health and School of Medicine, Bon Secours, HCA), manufacturing, and biotech.

Ports & Trade: Major inland port via James River; logistics hub.

Economic indicators: Unemployment rate of 3.5%; median household income $56-65k, population 230,000.

Landmarks

Virginia State Capitol: Designed by Thomas Jefferson; Greek Revival architecture. Oldest continuously operating legislative building in the US.

Hollywood Cemetery: Resting place for two US Presidents (James Monroe and John Tyler), Jefferson Davis and many Civil War soldiers.

Maymont: 100-acre Gilded Age estate with gardens, mansion, and nature center.

Edgar Allan Poe Museum: Oldest residential building in Richmond, it commemorates his life.

Arts and Events

Museums & Institutions

Virginia Museum of Fine Arts

Institute for Contemporary Art at VCU

Science Museum of Virginia

Black History Museum & Cultural Center of Virginia

Public Art & Creative Districts

Manchester and Shockoe Bottom

First Fridays Art Walk

Signature Events

Richmond Folk Festival

Dominion Energy Riverrock

Richmond Marathon

Richmond International Film Festival

Food and Nightlife

Culinary Profile

Modern Southern cuisine

Emphasis on regional sourcing and Chesapeake Bay seafood

Strong farm-to-table movement

Craft Beverage Scene

Over 30 breweries

Expanding distillery and cidery footprint

James River oyster culture and Virginia wine integration

Dining & Entertainment Districts

Carytown: Independent shops and restaurants

The Fan District: Historic Victorian neighborhood with bars and cafes

Scott's Addition:

The Opportunity

The Deputy Director of Recreation provides strategic, operational, and administrative leadership for Richmond's entire recreation portfolio. This role is both transformative and foundational.

The next leader will inherit a division that is mission-driven, trusted by the community, and staffed by individuals deeply committed to service — yet positioned for its next stage of professionalization and operational elevation.

The mandate for the role includes strengthening operational rigor, improving documentation and performance tracking systems, elevating workforce development, and modernizing service delivery.

The Deputy Director will ensure that recreation services are not only well-intentioned, but also well-managed, measurable, and strategically aligned with City priorities.

This position serves as a member of the PRCF Executive Leadership Team and reports directly to the Director of Parks & Recreation. The Deputy Director oversees recreation operations exclusively and will have the opportunity to refine organizational structure to enhance execution and accountability.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIP

Reports to: Director, Parks and Recreation
Direct reports: Program Manager, Cultural Arts and Deli Program Manager, 17th Street, Kanawha Plaza and Film Recreation Program Supervisor, Program & Operations Supervisor

LOCATION

Richmond, Virginia

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

This position requires limited regional and weekend travel.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Leadership & Strategy

Provide vision and direction for all recreation divisions, ensuring programs are equitable, accessible, and community-centered.

Develop and implement multi-year strategic plans and performance measures.

Lead change management initiatives to modernize operations and strengthen culture.

Represent the Department in executive-level meetings and public forums.

Operational Management

Oversee day-to-day operations of recreation centers, aquatics, athletics, youth and senior programs, cultural arts, and citywide events.

Ensure compliance with safety standards and municipal regulations.

Improve documentation, workflows, reporting systems, and service delivery models.

Financial Oversight

Develop, monitor, and manage the $25M recreation operating budget.

Identify grant, sponsorship, and revenue-generating opportunities.

Ensure responsible stewardship of public resources.

Community Engagement & Partnerships

Build strong relationships with residents, neighborhood groups, schools, and nonprofit partners.

Improve how recreation programs are marketed and communicated.

Strengthen partnerships that expand service access.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Recreation Management, Public Administration, Parks & Recreation, Community Development, or related field.

Seven (7) or more years of progressively responsible experience in recreation management.

Demonstrated leadership of large programs, facilities, budgets, and teams.

Experience managing diverse recreation operations within an urban municipal environment.

Preferred Qualifications

Master's degree in Public Administration, Recreation Management, or related field.

Certified Parks & Recreation Professional (CPRP) or Certified Parks & Recreation Executive (CPRE).

Experience working in a large, diverse metropolitan parks and recreation system.

Experience leading equity-focused recreation programs and community engagement strategies.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Strong leadership, decision-making, and executive communication skills.

Knowledge of best practices in recreation programming, youth development, aquatics, athletics, cultural arts, and facility management.

Demonstrated skill in budgeting, financial oversight, and resource allocation.

Ability to build cross-sector partnerships and collaborate across departments.

Commitment to equity, restorative justice principles, and community-centered service delivery.

Capacity to navigate municipal governance structures and unionized environments.

Work Environment & Expectations

The ideal candidate combines technical expertise with emotional intelligence and political acumen. Work is performed in office settings, recreation centers, community sites, and outdoor program areas. The position requires availability for evening, weekend, and holiday work to support major events and community initiatives.

Leadership Profile

Deep understanding of parks and recreation operations.

Strong people developer and coach.

Politically savvy and patient.

Firm but mission-driven; able to set clear expectations.

Interested in long-term growth and potential succession pathway.

The City of Richmond provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment 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.

The City of Richmond is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, the City of Richmond will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided with reasonable accommodations.

Interested applicants and nominations should be submitted electronically in confidence to:

Virgil Fludd
Managing Partner
virgil@carvir.com
678-520-8370

Monica Crafts
Managing Director
monica@carvir.com
678-438-4719