Director of Recreation and Tourism

The City of Corner Brook is presently accepting applications for the position of Director of Recreation and Tourism. This senior leadership position is responsible for the strategic planning, development, administration, and continuous improvement of the City's recreation, tourism, cultural, and community programming services.

The Director provides organizational leadership for municipal recreation facilities, tourism development initiatives, special events, community programming, parks and recreational assets, the Corner Brook Civic Centre, and the Marina Redmond Centre. As a member of the City's senior management team, the Director contributes to corporate planning, policy development, budget preparation, long-term capital planning, and community development initiatives.

The Director provides professional advice and recommendations to the City Manager and Council and works collaboratively with community organizations, tourism stakeholders, provincial agencies, user groups, staff, and residents to support quality of life, economic development opportunities, and positive recreational and community experiences.

The Director will provide strategic direction and operational oversight for recreation programs, facilities, parks, tourism initiatives, community programming, festivals, celebrations, and major municipal events. The successful candidate will foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement while ensuring exceptional customer service, financial stewardship, effective risk management, and employee engagement.

The Director will also oversee departmental operating and capital budgets, identify opportunities for operational efficiencies and revenue generation, and support long-term capital and asset management planning. The Director will lead, mentor, and develop department managers, supervisors, and staff while supporting recruitment, workforce planning, training, performance management, succession planning, and labour relations matters involving unionized and non-union employees.

The Director will establish and maintain productive relationships with community organizations, user groups, tourism operators, government agencies, educational institutions, and private-sector partners and will represent the City on boards, committees, conferences, and regional initiatives. The position will also oversee recreation and tourism-related capital projects and ensure facilities, programs, events, and operations comply with applicable legislation, municipal policies, occupational health and safety requirements, and industry standards.

The City of Corner Brook is looking for an individual with a university degree in Recreation Management, Business Administration, Public Administration, Tourism Management, Community Development, Recreation Leadership, or a related discipline. A Master's degree would be considered an asset.

The successful candidate will have a minimum of seven to ten years of progressively responsible management experience in recreation, tourism, community services, facility operations, or municipal administration, including at least five years of senior leadership experience with direct supervisory responsibilities. Experience overseeing large public facilities, events, tourism initiatives, and municipal programs is required. Municipal government experience is strongly preferred, while experience working in a unionized environment would be considered an asset.

The successful candidate will demonstrate strong leadership, strategic planning, organizational, project management, communication, presentation, negotiation, and stakeholder engagement skills. A sound understanding of municipal governance, public-sector administration, recreation service delivery, tourism development, budget management, financial analysis, capital planning, and asset management is required.

The ability to build productive partnerships, manage complex projects and competing priorities, and provide effective solutions to challenging issues will be essential. The position generally follows a standard administrative work schedule; however, frequent evening and weekend attendance will be required for Council meetings, community events, facility activities, tourism initiatives, and emergencies. Attendance at conferences, trade shows, tourism events, and regional meetings will also be required, with occasional travel throughout the region, province, and other destinations.

A valid Class 5 Newfoundland and Labrador driver's licence is required. The City of Corner Brook will provide support throughout the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities, including accommodation that considers an applicant's accessibility needs. Candidates are encouraged to discuss specific needs with the City's Human Resources division. The City of Corner Brook thanks all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.