- Located at the Nowra Aquatic Park – Scenic Drive, Nowra
If successful you will be contacted for an interview in early 2026
About the Role
The Manager of Recreation and Open Spaces plays a key role in preserving and enhancing the Shoalhaven's parks, gardens, recreational spaces, sports facilities, and cemeteries. This position requires extensive leadership experience and a proven track record of delivering people initiatives that drive a high-performance culture. The role is primarily responsible for ensuring that our parks are a feature of our towns, villages, and our community enjoys vibrant recreational spaces.
Reporting directly to the Director - City Services, this position's main duties include:
- Drive the future direction of the management of Council's successful and growing business enterprises such as Aquatics Centres, Sporting and Precincts, Indoor Sports Centres, Destination Parks, Bereavement Services.
- Ensure Council's best interests are maintained in the management of Council's Commercial businesses
- Manage Councils best interests in all aspects of development, purchase or sale of assets, including management of stakeholder interests.
- Responsible for developing and providing high quality expertise and advice in financial analysis, modelling and research into market forces relating to Council's Commercial activities.
- Models' leadership behaviours that align with Council's Leadership Capability Framework and contribute to a culture where staff and stakeholders have confidence in the way the organisation is lead and services are delivered.
- Sets financial targets for the department and contributes to financial objectives for the whole of Council, which contributes to the framework for strategic decision making, financial sustainability and objective setting.
- Impacts on the external image and perception of Council with regards to customer service, brand, and image.
Please refer to the Job Description below for a comprehensive list of duties, responsibilities and skills required.
Being available to be on-call and complete reasonable overtime is a requirement of this position.
The advertised salary is based on the grade of the position, comprising of 4 steps within the range shown. The starting salary is at Step 1 within the grade. Progression through the salary steps shall be based upon the achievement of performance objectives relating to the position.
About You
To be successful in the position, you will have:
- Degree in Business, Commerce or relevant discipline or extensive relevant experience in a senior management role in the provision of business management, business planning and project management.
- Demonstrated experience in setting the strategic direction for the enhancement of parks, open spaces, sporting and recreational facilities.
- Demonstrated experience in the delivery of operation, maintenance and capital works programs.
- Understanding and/or experience in working with the principles of business excellence and a continuous improvement in culture e.g. service delivery reviews.
- Demonstrated skills and experience in leadership and management of a department, including motivating and building effective teams, budget development and administration and development of operational and strategic plans.
- Demonstrated procurement, project and contract management skills.
- Excellent communication skills and ability to prepare clear and concise reports and relay information at all levels.
- Knowledge of WHS legislation with experience managing safety
- Current Class C Drivers Licence
- Proof of right to work in Australia
This position requires a current NSW Working with Children Check. Applicants are required to apply and pay for this check if not already obtained.
Why Work with Us
The Shoalhaven area is a unique place of great natural beauty, offering an enviable lifestyle and positive work-life balance. Our workforce is our greatest asset, and we pride ourselves on our people. Our teams are talented and inclusive and work together to provide better outcomes for our community, who are at the heart of everything we do. With a diverse range of professions and roles, we offer many career options and pathways, actively promoting opportunities and encouraging staff professional development.
Benefits include:
- Generous leave entitlements
- Long Service Leave after 5 years
- Option of flexitime for indoor staff
- 9 day fortnight for outdoor staff
- Flexible and remote working arrangements
- Novated lease arrangements available
- Opportunities for professional development and training
- Corporate wellbeing programs, including Fitness Passport and Employee Assistance Program (EAP), discounted health insurance
**Conditions apply as per the Local Government State award, and Council policies
At Shoalhaven City Council, we are proud to foster a workplace that reflects the diverse community we serve.
We welcome applicants of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds, and encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, veterans, people with disability, culturally diverse individuals, and LGBTQIA+ community members to apply.
We are committed to ensuring a equitable recruitment processes. If you have a disability and require reasonable adjustments to fairly demonstrate your skills, please contact us.
As a Child Safe Organisation, we are committed to upholding the rights of children and young people and ensuring a safe and respectful environment for all.
