OPPORTUNITY PROFILE GENERAL MANAGER, PARKS, RECREATION AND CULTURE - Davies Park
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OPPORTUNITY PROFILE GENERAL MANAGER, PARKS, RECREATION AND CULTURE
the right people
CITY OF ABBOTSFORD | GM, PARKS, RECREATION AND CULTURE
CONTENTS
THE ORGANIZATION CITY OF ABBOTSFORD 1
THE OPPORTUNITY GM, PARKS, RECREATION AND CULTURE 4
Reporting Relationships / Department Structure 4
Specific Responsibilities 4
Key Responsibilities 6
THE PERSON 7
Qualifications, Education, and Experience 7
Values and Personal Characteristics 8
COMPENSATION 9
CONTACT 9
THE ORGANIZATION CITY OF ABBOTSFORD Located in the picturesque Fraser Valley, an hour outside of Vancouver, the City of Abbotsford is the fifth- largest municipality in BC with a population of approximately 141,000. Surrounded by majestic mountains and working fields, Abbotsford offers a rural charm and friendly small-town hospitality within a fast-paced urban cityscape that boasts a flair for trade, commerce, and entertainment. Young families and working professionals continue to relocate to Abbotsford, drawn by the affordable real estate, booming economy, and superior quality of life. Most residents live in the urban core, surrounded by farmland and rural communities (Mt. Lehman, Bradner, Matsqui Village, Clayburn, Barrowtown, Arnold, and Huntingdon). Abbotsford is home to the University of the Fraser Valley, TRADEX, the Abbotsford International Airport, which hosts the Abbotsford International Airshow, as well as a Regional Hospital and Cancer Centre, the second BC Children’s Hospital (as a part of a unique campus of care), and a 7,000 seat entertainment and sports arena, the Abbotsford Centre. A border-community, the municipality’s southern boundary is the Canada–United States border, across which is Sumas, Washington. Surrounded by the Township of Langley to the west, the Fraser River and the District of Mission to the north, and the City of Chilliwack to the east, Abbotsford is uniquely positioned to become the Regional Hub community. Much of Abbotsford enjoys views of Mount Baker (to the southeast, in Washington) and the Coast Mountains (to the north). The Conference Board of Canada has identified the local economy as one of the most diverse in the country. Abbotsford’s main industries are agriculture, transportation, manufacturing, and aerospace. The City earns the highest dollar per acre of agricultural land in the country, greater than the Niagara Region and North Okana- gan. City of Abbotsford - General Manager, Parks, Recreation and Culture 1 | Page
Abbotsford International Airport (YXX) serves the entire eastern Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley region of BC with an estimated catchment of 1.3 million people. Abbotsford International Airport is ideally situated just minutes from two US border crossings, the Trans-Canada, and BC Interior highways. Abbotsford International Airport is a low-cost, full service airport, with vast growth potential thanks to a recent 9-million dollar upgrade to the runway and customs facilities. In 2018, YXX will add 14,000 square feet of new building space to the terminal building, two additional airline gates, and seating capacity in the secure area will double in size to accommodate 600 guests. These are only some of the exciting changes that will occur at YXX throughout 2018. YXX is also now home to four national airlines and there has been steady interest from other airlines to start service from YXX in 2018. Residents have access to extensive civic recreational and entertainment facilities, including indoor and outdoor pools, and a 7000 seat spectator arena which hosts world class concerts, shows and attractions. Abbotsford’s excellent recreational facilities were the home of the 2004 and 2016 BC Summer Games, and Abbotsford’s major track and field complex hosted the Canadian Track and Field Championships and the Western Canada Summer Games. The City is home to two private and three City-operated arenas, hundreds of parks and play- ing fields, and an extensive trail system that spans the entire community. The City of Abbotsford celebrates more than 161 outdoor special events in the community each year, including an annual full-day Canada Day community celebration and the world renowned annual Abbotsford Interna- tional Airshow. The Abbotsford Arts Council also hosts a number of free local culturally focused events includ- ing music in Mill Lake Park, the Arty Awards and more recently, the Christmas Artisan Gift Fair. It has been in- volved in projects such as the Abbotsford “Unity Statue”, Abbotsford Christmas Craft Fair, Art in the Park, Ab- botsford’s Art and Heritage Unity Festival, and the Historical Downtown Art Bench Project. City of Abbotsford - General Manager, Parks, Recreation and Culture 2 | Page
Educational facilities encompass pre-school to post-secondary levels, with full degree programs offered by the University of the Fraser Valley. Elementary and secondary education is provided by both public and privately- operated institutions. The major medical facility is the Abbotsford Regional Hospital and Cancer Centre (ARHCC), a state-of-the-art 300-bed hospital. The ARHCC provides enhanced and specialized health services to more than 150,000 people in the greater Abbotsford area, and up to 330,000 in the Fraser Valley region. There are also a number of intermediate and extended care facilities as well as a unique Campus of Care tri-fold medical centre that includes the second BC Children’s Hospital. To learn more, please visit the City of Abbotsford’s website. City of Abbotsford - General Manager, Parks, Recreation and Culture 3 | Page
THE OPPORTUNITY GENERAL MANAGER, PARKS, RECREATION AND CULTURE
The City of Abbotsford is searching for a new General Manager, Parks, Recreation and Culture (“GM”). Report-
ing to the City Manager and contributing broadly as part of the Strategic Leadership Team, the GM will be
responsible for providing strategic leadership and oversight of the Parks, Recreation and Culture (“PRC”)
portfolio in alignment with the City’s vision, mission, and values, as well as with City Council’s Strategic Plan.
The GM participates in long-term strategic planning and annual budget review, works collaboratively to ensure
the effective development and implementation of corporate initiatives, and attends all Council and relevant
Committee meetings. The GM will also collaborate across all departments within the City and provide strategic
advice and expertise to Council.
Reporting Relationships / Department Structure
• This position reports directly to the City Manager.
• The GM leads project teams across the City, and will oversee divisions such as Arts, Culture and Heritage;
Parks; and Recreation.
• This GM leads over 250 employees, which includes a combination of full-time, part-time, and auxiliary staff.
• The Department’s operating budget exceeds $50M; the 2018 capital budget exceeds $20M.
Specific Responsibilities
Executive Leadership
• As a member of the City of Abbotsford’s Strategic Leadership Team, participates in the leadership of the
City and acts consistently in accordance with the values of the organization. Provides counsel, advice, and
recommendations on issues and strategies to the City Manager on all PRC matters affecting the City and
on other leadership challenges.
City of Abbotsford - General Manager, Parks, Recreation and Culture 4 | Page
Advice and Support to Council
• Through the City Manager as well as directly, provides support to Mayor and Council in confirming long
term strategies, addressing resident/stakeholder issues, and providing information relative to proposed
municipal initiatives, provincial initiatives, and/or resident/stakeholder contact. In doing so, the GM is
expected to integrate objectives emerging from the political process, social and economic trends, advice
from staff, and positions advocated by interest groups and the public.
• Provides appropriate advice, background information and briefing materials to the Mayor and Council in
carrying out their range of responsibilities. Plays an active role on Council committees and commissions as
required.
• Attends all Council meetings and addresses Council as necessary and ensures that Council policies and
directions are implemented, and bylaws are enforced.
Strategic Plan
• Working with City Manager and members of the Strategic Leadership Team, participates in the develop-
ment of Strategic Plans that chart the future course for the organization in alignment with Council’s vision.
Annual Project Plan and Budget
• Before the outset of each year, identifies, prioritizes, costs, and plans key projects and initiatives for PRC
that are reflective of the Council’s vision and are in alignment with/support and enhance the departmental
plans of his/her peers. Develops a business rationale and an overall master project plan for the year, which
includes a detailed budget.
• Meets with the City Manager on a regular basis to discuss progress in achieving objectives set out in an
Annual Operating Plan, sets out rationale for variances, and recommends modifications to the plan for the
remaining year. Works with Finance to provide budget reports for Council as required.
City of Abbotsford - General Manager, Parks, Recreation and Culture 5 | Page
Key Responsibilities • Present reports and updates to Parks, Recreation,
• Set strategic direction for PRC, ensuring long- and Culture, Committees, and to City Council;
term and annual department goals, division plans,
• Serve as a primary liaison to Fraser Health, the
budgets, and deliverables align with corporate
Abbotsford School District, Fraser Valley Regional
and strategic goals and complement projected
District, and other committees and organizations
Council reports;
as assigned;
• Ensure recreation, sport, parks, arts, culture and
• Act as internal consultant to specialized portfolios
heritage respond to community needs; work
in other Divisions or affiliated organizations;
closely with others departments to ensure work
plans are innovative and drive change; • Provide strategic leadership for facility and park
• Establish a strategic approach to management of
development, as well as land acquisition and
programs, services, and operations with regular disposition;
input from consumers, communication with stake- • Contribute to City-wide operations as a member
holders, and consideration of emerging trends of Strategic Leadership Team sub-committees;
and issues;
• Maintain availability 24/7 to respond to Council
• Develop community partnerships and ensure and City Manager or other urgent issues, queries,
community engagement; and concerns.
• Oversee policy development and implementation;
• Provide inspirational leadership to staff, maintain-
This is a rare opportunity for a nuanced, politically
ing a culture conducive to the achievement of
astute Parks, Recreation, and Culture leader to make
corporate objectives;
an impact in one of BC’s growing municipalities. The
• Establish and maintain positive, professional, GM should be comfortable working in a large, com-
effective, and proactive working relationships with
plex organization with a diverse range of stakehold-
Council, staff, partners, other levels of govern-
ers to supports Abbotsford’s vision of being the “hub
ment, community, and stakeholder groups;
of the Fraser Valley”.
City of Abbotsford - General Manager, Parks, Recreation and Culture 6 | Page
THE PERSON
The ideal candidate will be an experienced professional with a diverse skillset in strategic planning, leadership,
operations, and analysis on a divisional and corporate level, with business acumen and a proven track-record
of rolling-out successful strategic initiatives in complex organizations.
The GM is values-based leader who can develop, articulate, and deliver a focused, compelling direction for
PRC that is embraced and valued by staff and stakeholders. Possessing an inclusive, collaborative leadership
style, the GM sets a high bar for organizational performance, creates effective teams, and excels at fostering a
positive, respectful workplace culture, leveraging the considerable expertise and strength that exists within the
organization.
Qualifications, Education, and Experience
The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications and experience:
• A relevant degree such as Business or Public Administration is preferred, or equivalent experience, and 12
years’ successful experience in leadership and strategic roles related to Parks, Recreation, and Culture with
direct oversight of a large complement of excluded and union staff;
• Extensive knowledge of senior leadership roles in public administration or local government;
• Strategic, innovative thinker who embraces change and stays ahead of evolving business opportunities;
• Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills including report writing and presentations;
• Experience in plan preparations, including community consultation;
• Excellent financial management skills, business acumen, and political astuteness; and
• Sound understanding of relationships between BC government, municipalities, and funding agencies.
City of Abbotsford - General Manager, Parks, Recreation and Culture 7 | Page
Values and Personal Characteristics
The GM should possess a leadership style and personal characteristics that fit authentically with the City of
Abbotsford’s Core Values:
Respect | Integrity | Openness | Collaboration/Teamwork | Inclusivity | Trust
As such, the GM must:
• Anticipate, respond, and attend to the needs of council, staff, colleagues, residents, and other internal
and external stakeholders of the City with customer focus and political astuteness; keep resident interests
in the forefront.
• Possess business acumen; stay leading edge in their field; understand organizational challenges (internal
and external) and be a “progressive idea person” committed to excellence and accountability in the
workplace; encourage others to achieve excellence.
• Achieve desired results by encouraging the contribution of others; be a proactive and positive team
player who acts with a sense of urgency and leads by example; set and communicate clear goals.
• Lead a high-performance team; talk openly with others, establish expectations, hold self and others
accountable, support group decisions, share credit, build enthusiasm for goals, and resolve conflict
appropriately; foster development of others through coaching and managing performance; possess a
genuine desire to help teams succeed; formally and informally recognize deserving staff and colleagues.
• Develop new insights into situations; question conventional approaches; encourage creativity, new ideas,
and innovation; design and implement new or cutting edge initiatives.
City of Abbotsford - General Manager, Parks, Recreation and Culture 8 | PageCOMPENSATION A competitive compensation package will be provided including an attractive base salary and excellent benefits. Further details will be discussed in a personal interview. FOR INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: Andrew Philip or Greg Longster DAVIES PARK EXECUTIVE SEARCH #880—609 Granville Street Vancouver, BC V7Y 1G5 Phone: (604) 688-8422 Email: vancouver@daviespark.com Additional information can be found at www.daviespark.com.
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