Salary : $220,500.00 - $285,500.00 Annually
Location : Parks Tacoma Headquarters, WA
Job Type: Career Full-time Non Represented
Department: Executive Administration
Opening Date: 09/25/2026
Closing Date: 10/25/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Job Description
This recruitment process will be administered by GMP.
Please do not submit your application through Parks Tacoma NEOGOV, but rather with GMP directly (click here)
The Executive Director serves as the chief executive officer of Parks Tacoma, overseeing all aspects of the District's operations. Accountable to the Board of Park Commissioners, the Executive Director is responsible for leading the District's operations, advancing the Board's strategic direction, implementing Board policies, and ensuring the District fulfills its mission and statutory responsibilities while maintaining organizational effectiveness, financial sustainability, and public trust.
Essential Duties
- Provide vision and strategic leadership in the development and implementation of the Board approved policies, mission, goals and objectives.
- Assist the Board in conducting District business in all matters and performs other duties and assumes responsibilities as the Board directs.
- Oversee districtwide operations and major departmental functions to ensure effective, efficient, and high-quality delivery of Parks Tacoma services; establish organizational goals, monitor performance, identify and address performance gaps, and ensure accountability across the organization.
- Provide strategic and in-depth financial leadership that aligns with organizational goals and ensures fiscal sustainability including long-term forecasting, maintaining appropriate reserves, identifying emerging financial risks, and ensuring timely corrective action when financial performance deviates from established plans.
- Provide the Board with timely, candid, accurate, and complete information regarding organizational performance, financial condition, significant risks, and emerging issues; implement Board-approved strategic priorities and ensure alignment of planning, policies, and performance measures across the organization.
- Establish and implement management policies and procedures, including human resources and financial standards, and articulate District philosophy, goals, and objectives to the Board, staff, and community.
- Represent Parks Tacoma in interactions with governmental agencies, educational institutions, community organizations, and public bodies; participate in meetings and deliver presentations to advance partnerships and resolve issues.
- Provide inclusive and effective leadership by setting clear expectations, fostering a culture of trust, candor, collaboration, and accountability, supporting staff development, involving employees in decision-making, and ensuring accountability for organizational outcomes.
- Oversee the development and progression of long- and short-term plans and capital improvement strategies to respond to evolving community needs, enhance existing services, and plan new programs and facilities; lead the organization to maintain strong financial sustainability, operational effectiveness, and service delivery.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
In the performance of their respective tasks and duties all employees are expected to conform to the following:
- Perform quality work within deadlines with or without direct supervision.
- Interact professionally with employees, customers and suppliers.
- Work effectively as a team contributor on all assignments.
- Work independently while understanding the necessity for communicating and coordinating work efforts with other employees and organizations.
- Observe applicable safety requirements, use safety equipment provided, implement appropriate safety practices at all times and report immediately any unsafe working conditions or hazards.
- Effectively manage budget, programs, and projects in alignment with core values and guidelines.
- Establish clear work plan expectations and provide direction in order to effectively lead.
- Encourage personal/professional growth by providing continuous feedback and developmental opportunities for staff.
Minimum Qualifications
- 12 years of management experience in a public sector organization with at least 5 years in a senior management level position overseeing and supervising teams and operations, strategic planning, working directly with elected officials, and driving financial and community initiatives.
- Bachelor's degree in business administration, public administration. recreation and park administration or related field. Master's degree is preferred.
- Valid Washington driver's license with acceptable driving record.
- Preference will be given to those that possess a current Certified Park and Recreation Executive (CPRE) certification.
Additional Information
For additional information, including working conditions,
To be considered for this position, please apply directly with GMP, click here
For questions on this position, please contact:
Greg Young
GMP Consultants
gyoung@gmphr.com
(360) 410-8626
OVERVIEW (more detailed information can be found at Parks Tacoma )
Life Insurance: Provided at no cost to the employee through Unum, amount is equal to annual salary up to $275,000. Benefits will reduce at age 70.
Retirement Plan: All employees are covered under the Public Employees' Retirement System through the Washington State Department of Retirement Services (DRS).
Medical Coverage and Dental Coverage: Parks Tacoma pays 90% of the total cost of medical/dental coverage for employees and their dependents. If you enroll in a medical and/or dental plan and add dependents you will be required to provide documentation to show eligibility. Coverage begins the first of the month following the date of employment. Medical coverage is offered through Kaiser. Dental options include Delta Dental Service and Willamette Dental.
Health Care and Day Care Reimbursement Accounts: A benefit plan that allows you to pay for health care or dependent care expenses with "before tax" dollars.
Deferred Compensation (457 plan): Optional employee paid retirement savings plans are available through Empower, MissionSquare, and WA State Deferred Comp Program.
Paid Holidays for career employees: New Years Day, Martin Luther King's Birthday, President's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Juneteenth, Labor Day, Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving Day, Day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, Two Floating Holidays are granted after successful completion of the probationary period.
Vacation: 14 hours earned monthly (21 days per year).
Sick Leave: 8 hours earned monthly.
Administrative Leave: 40 hours granted per year.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP) -SupportLinc provides emotional wellbeing and work-life balance resources to keep you at your best. Administered by CuraLinc Healthcare, the program offers guidance to help you address and resolve everyday issues at no cost to you or your family.
Community Center Fitness Pass - All Parks Tacoma employees get a Staff Pass to use at our community centers. The All Center Pass allows access to all four centers - Center at Norpoint, Eastside Community Center, People's Center and STAR Center.
Did you know... Benefits at Parks Tacoma include more than the great options for medical, dental and vision. There is so much more to our overall compensation package. Here are a few highlights:
- Beyond Medical, Dental and Vision: All medical plans include Naturopathy, Massage therapy and Chiropractic care (some restrictions apply). See the for more information.
- An Ounce of Prevention is Better Than a Pound of Cure: Stay ahead of the game by taking advantage of the quality preventative care our plans have to offer. Preventative care is covered at 100% so you are not charged the deductible or pay co-insurance for preventative care. See the for more information.
- Tax Free Health Accounts: Parks Tacoma offers Flexible Spending Account options that allow you to set aside money on a pretax basis for out of pocket medical and/or childcare expenses. Sign up at the start of the year with open enrollment. If you have chosen the High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP), you will receive a Health Savings Account with an employer provided contribution. Check out the for more information.
- Be Ready for Retirement: Retirement plan options include the required PERS contributions AND also several Deferred Compensation Plan (457 plan) Options. Retirement savings can help you set yourself up for success now (lowering your federal income tax threshold through savings on a pre-tax basis) and later. Check out the for more information.
- Everyone Needs a Helping Hand: Employee Assistance Program - this program offers confidential, professional AND FREE 24/7 resources to all Parks Tacoma employees. The program offers resources for things like: counseling, legal and financial services, ID theft victim resources, Daily living information, elder and child care, stress reduction tools, website access, newsletters, webinars and more.
- Preparing for the Unexpected: Life Insurance & Accidental Death/Dismemberment Insurance is paid for by MPT and at no cost career employees . The amount is equal to your annual salary up to $200k. Check out the for more information.
- Getting Fit: Fitness Center Pass - ALL Parks Tacoma employees are eligible to use our fitness facilities and even participate in many class at various community centers for FREE!
- Checking Out All That MPT Offers the Community: Employees are provided an annual familiarization pass that becomes their passport to explore a variety of opportunities available throughout the District.
- Supporting Work/Life Balance: Alternative Work Arrangements - Some positions have the option to remote work upon meeting requirements. This is a great benefit as it allows MPT to reduce our carbon footprint and employees to achieve better work/life balance.
- Taking a Break: All Parks Tacoma employees receive sick leave and career employees receive excellent Sick, Vacation and Holiday leave packages.
- Making a Difference: There are multiple ways to make a difference beyond the work you do. Parks Tacoma employees can contribute to the through payroll deduction (or one time payment). You can also participate in a with permission from your supervisor, be a member of the dragon boat team, donate blood at one of our member blood drives, or volunteer with our partner organizations.
Note: THIS BENEFIT OVERVIEW IS FOR INFORMATION ONLY AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED CONTRACT. ANY PROVISION CONTAINED HEREIN MAY BE MODIFIED AND/OR REVOKED WITHOUT NOTICE.