Assistant Director - Parks & Recreation (Community Events)

Title: Assistant Director - Parks & Recreation (Community Events)

Status: Full-time Exempt Role

Salary Range: $77,884 - $100,000

Fishers Parks is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for Fishers, IN residents by engaging community, strengthening connections, and enhancing quality of life through exceptional experiences and world-class events. Our mission is to bring the community together by hosting experiences that celebrate the vibrant spirit of Fishers and create meaningful opportunities for connection.

The Parks department oversees a robust calendar of large-scale community events, including the nationally recognized Fishers Farmers Market, concerts featuring national recording artists, and seasonal festivals that draw thousands of attendees each year. These events reflect our commitment to engaging community and strengthening connections through exceptional experiences. The department values leaders with demonstrated experience planning, executing, and evaluating complex, high-attendance events that require cross-functional coordination, vendor management, and a strong focus on safety, logistics, and guest experience.

Beyond events, Fishers Parks offers 26 parks spanning over 823 acres, more than 120 miles of multi-use trails, and unique amenities such as the Maker Playground, an award-winning makerspace; the Fishers AgriPark, one of the nation’s largest urban farms; and the newly opened Geist Waterfront Park, a 70-acre destination for beach and water recreation on Geist Reservoir.

About The Role

The City of Fishers is seeking a dynamic Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation. Reporting to the Director of Parks and Recreation, the Assistant Director will help lead a passionate and talented team of up to 10 full-time and key part-time employees. This position will play a key role in managing internal operations, spearheading new initiatives, and ensuring the department continues enhancing quality of life through exceptional experiences and world-class events. This role also provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for large-scale, high-impact community events, ensuring excellence in planning, execution, and continuous improvement.

Examples Of Key Responsibilities

• Lead, supervise, coach, and support department personnel to foster a positive and collaborative team culture.
• Drive innovation and maintain high standards of service delivery aligned with the department’s goals and mission of engaging community and strengthening connections.
• Communicate effectively with internal teams, city departments, community stakeholders, and the public.
• Oversee operational priorities, including staff and resource allocation, budget management, and supply coordination.
• Assess and enhance current events and programs, policies, and operations to meet evolving community needs.
• Pursue and manage grant opportunities to support park system growth and improvements.
• Administer and oversee new projects, programs, and initiatives.
• Develop and implement engaging new event and program opportunities that reflect world-class standards and meaningful community impact.
• Ensure fiscal accountability and effective budget management.
• Monitor and evaluate department operations, community outreach, and marketing efforts.
• Provide leadership in the planning and execution of large-scale community events, including logistics coordination, vendor and partner management, risk mitigation, permitting, and on-site operations.
• Analyze event performance metrics and community feedback to continuously improve event quality, attendance, and overall impact, ensuring alignment with department goals.
  
  

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience, preferred;
• 5 years in a leadership role with supervisory responsibilities;
• 5 years of progressive responsibility in event management, parks and recreation, community engagement, or a related area;
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to engage diverse audiences;
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects with competing deadlines;
• Strong interpersonal, and customer service skills;
• Experience in strategic planning and budget preparation, a plus;
• Must have the ability to work flexible hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed;
• Proficiency in creating presentations and delivering ideas effectively;
• Valid driver’s license and the ability to drive city vehicles is required;
• Must have the ability to lift 50 lbs;
• Must have the ability to work outside in a variety of weather conditions;
• Must be able to do physical labor as needed for event set up and tear down.