Director of Community Development

Job Summary

The Director of Community Development plays a key role in overseeing the community development and recreation functions in the Municipality of the County of Annapolis. The role provides strategic leadership to departmental staff, develops and implements long-term recreation plans, supports community organizations, manages municipal recreation facilities and major development projects, champions accessibility initiatives, and builds key relationships with external stakeholders.

Accountability

The Director of Community Development reports directly to the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO).

Specific Job Responsibilities

1. Leadership and Staff Development

· Provide daily support, leadership, coaching, and mentoring to all Community Development staff under their direction

· Ensure processes and standard operating procedures are in place for staff understanding

· Follow all personnel policies and procedures for the effective performance management and succession planning of staff

· Develop annual training plans for Community Development staff to prepare for succession planning, cross-training, and lateral movement

2. Strategic Planning and Policy Development

· Lead development and implementation of a long-term recreation plan

· Support Marketing Plans, and Tourism Strategies

· Prepare annual three-year rolling operational plans

· Completion and implementation of a community improvement strategy

· Continuous improvement of Municipal recreation opportunities

· Establish and regularly maintain Community Development, recreation, policies

· Annual budgeting, and funding attraction for projects

3. Recreation, Tourism, and Community Development

· Implement a parks, trails, and recreation facility plan to be approved by Council

· Oversee the implementation of the parks, trails, and recreation facility plan working in tandem with Municipal Operations for work orders

· Support the Tourism and Marketing Coordinator with initiatives across Annapolis County

· Support strategic municipal land acquisition and parkland planning as approved in the above-mentioned plans

4. Accessibility and EDI Leadership

· Serve as the municipal leader for all accessibility matters

· Serve as the municipal leader for all items related to equity, diversity, and inclusion

· Ensure municipal facilities, programs, services, and infrastructure consider accessibility requirements

· Ensure municipal facilities, programs, services, and infrastructure consider accessibility requirements

· Support inclusion, diversity, and equity initiatives for the Municipality via programs, services, and infrastructure specifically related to Community Development programming

5. Community and External Stakeholder Engagement

· Coordinate public engagement and stakeholder consultations for the Department

· Support community-based recreation activities, programs, and facilities throughout Annapolis County

· Connect communities and community groups through programs and events

6. Other Duties

· Prepare reports and presentations for Council and the CAO as needed

· Perform other duties as may be assigned by the CAO

Qualifications and Expectations

Education: Candidates must possess an undergraduate or master’s degree in community development, recreation management, or a similar educational program.

Experience: Candidates should have 5 plus years of experience working in a leadership role, where the focus has been on aspects of community development. Experience in a public sector environment would be an asset.

Knowledge: Strong knowledge of community development, community recreation programming, facility operations are required.

Requirements: Candidates must obtain a criminal records check and a vulnerable sector check to work in this position for the Municipality of the County of Annapolis. Candidates must also have a valid Class 5 driver’s license. This position will occasionally require work outside of normal office hours including evenings and weekends.

Core Competencies

Coaching and Mentoring: Ability to lead, coach, mentor, and encourage direct reports with emotional intelligence.

Community Relations: Build strong public ties and promote the social value of local recreation.

Strategic Organizational Skills: Capacity to manage multiple strategies and policies, and provide a forward-thinking, strategic approach in all aspects of the role.

EDI and Accessibility implementation: Plays an active part in a respectful, inclusive, and accessible workplace, including with members of the public. Prioritizes IDEA initiatives in all aspects of the role. Maintains high ethical standards, accountability, and professionalism

Project Management: Ability to manage multiple projects, conduct needs assessments, and drive the Municipality forward in community engagement initiatives.