Director, Parks, Recreation & Culture
Discover Nanaimo - One of the oldest cities on Canada’s west coast, the City of Nanaimo is a growing, livable urban centre that still maintains its historic charm. Situated between the mountains and the ocean on the east coast of Vancouver Island, Nanaimo is a short ferry trip away from Metro Vancouver, and a 90 minute drive from Victoria. Nanaimo is truly an extraordinary community that is home to Vancouver Island University and is rich in parks, recreational, cultural and social amenities.
Position Overview
Are you a collaborative and forward-thinking leader with a passion for parks, recreation, and culture? Are you motivated by the opportunity to shape inclusive, sustainable, and vibrant community spaces and services that enhance quality of life and strengthen community? If so, the City of Nanaimo invites you to consider this senior leadership opportunity.
Reporting to the General Manager, Community Services & Deputy CAO, the Director of Parks, Recreation & Culture is a key member of the City’s senior leadership team. You will provide strategic and operational leadership to a diverse portfolio that includes parks operations and planning, recreation and wellness services, cultural and sporting programs, facilities, events as well as the stewardship of Nanaimo’s extensive network of parks, trails, open spaces, and natural areas.
Through a team of managers, you will lead a large, unionized and exempt workforce, ensuring services are delivered in alignment with Council priorities, corporate strategic plans, and community needs. You will champion community engagement and partnerships, support arts, culture, and heritage initiatives, oversee operating and capital budgets, and contribute to a high-performance organizational culture grounded in collaboration, accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.
Qualifications
Ideally, you hold a degree in Recreation or Resource Management, Public Administration, Business Administration, or a related discipline. You are a strategic thinker and effective relationship-builder with a minimum of eight (8) years of progressively responsible experience, including senior leadership experience in a public sector, unionized environment. An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may be considered. Possession of a valid Class 5 BC Driver’s License is required.
Additional Information
This is a permanent full-time exempt position offering 35 hours of work per week, with the salary range of $161,427.71 to $171,731.61 as well as a competitive benefits package.
Shortlisted applicants may be required to undergo a criminal record check and/or a verification of their education credentials. To apply for this opportunity, please submit a resume and cover letter (.docx or PDF file format) to employment.opportunities@nanaimo.ca referencing the specific competition 26-88 by the application deadline.
For detailed information on this position and for more information on our community, please visit our website at https://www.nanaimo.ca.
Posting Date Monday, July 13, 2026
Application Deadline Monday, August 10, 2026 4:30pm
Contact Information
Human Resources
City of Nanaimo
2nd Floor, 455 Wallace Street
Nanaimo, BC V9R 5J6
Phone: (250) 755-4406
Fax: (250) 755-4449
