General Manager, Parks & Recreation
Toronto, Canada’s largest and most multicultural city, is a global hub for technology, business, culture, and innovation—and a vibrant home to more than 2.9 million people. At the heart of the City’s livability is the Parks and Recreation Division, one of the largest and most high-profile customer-facing Divisions in Toronto.
About the Role
Reporting to the Deputy City Manager, Community and Emergency Services, the General Manager, Parks & Recreation is a transformative leadership opportunity. As the steward of Toronto’s vast network of parks, natural spaces, and recreational facilities, the General Manager leads a division that has a profound impact on the daily lives of residents. Toronto’s parks and recreation facilities support the diverse needs of Toronto residents, providing places and programs that are key contributors to the quality of life for all Torontonians. With over 4,000 staff and a combined annual operating and capital budget exceeding $1 billion, this executive role offers the opportunity to shape inclusive, accessible, and innovative services that contribute to the city’s social, physical, and environmental resilience.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the strategic direction, planning, and operations of Parks & Recreation, ensuring alignment with City Council priorities and community needs.
- Oversee the delivery of high-quality recreational programs and stewardship of over 1,500 parks and 130+ facilities across Toronto.
- Promote a culture of performance management, customer service excellence, equity, and inclusion.
- Cultivate strong internal and external partnerships to promote service and operational excellence
- Provide strategic guidance and recommendations to senior leadership, the Mayor, Members of Council, and stakeholders on policy, planning, and service delivery.
- Drive change management, service excellence, continuous improvement, and innovation across the Division.
- Develop long-term financial strategies and manage a complex operating and capital budget.
- Advance climate action and resilience planning efforts through Parks and Recreation initiatives.
- Foster productive labor relations and champion workplace health and safety.
Candidate Profile
You are a visionary, inclusive, and results-driven leader who thrives in complex, high-profile environments. You are known for building trusted relationships and leading large, diverse teams to deliver impactful public services. With a leadership style grounded in collaboration, empathy, and innovation, you bring a strong focus on driving operational excellence and delivering high-quality, responsive services. You understand how effective service delivery and well-managed operations—whether in public safety, community services, or beyond—contribute directly to community wellbeing and public trust.
In this highly visible and strategic role, you bring a strong sense of accountability, political acuity, and a commitment to public service. You lead with transparency and purpose, champion equity and accessibility, and have the agility to respond to emerging trends and evolving community needs.
Qualifications
- Significant executive-level experience leading a large, complex organization, ideally within a unionized and diverse environment.
- Expertise in strategic and operational planning, budget management, organizational design, and customer service.
- Demonstrated ability to achieve measurable operational excellence and service delivery
- Proven ability to foster inclusive leadership, employee engagement, and workforce equity.
- Extensive experience in policy development, change management, and performance-driven leadership.
- Well-developed communication skills with media experience and the ability to inspire and influence.
- Post-secondary education in a relevant field (e.g., public administration, management) or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
To apply to this role, submit your application to Phelps by clicking here: https://rb.gy/o6f3y7
Application deadline: July 4th , 2025
