Help Shape the Future of One of Canada’s Fastest-Growing Communities
Located along Highway 400 in Simcoe County, between Toronto and Barrie, the Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury (BWG) is one of Canada’s fastest-growing communities.
Home to more than 40,000 residents, BWG combines the energy and opportunity of a growing urban centre with the small-town character and strong community spirit that have long defined it.
The Town includes the communities of Bradford, Bond Head and Newton Robinson, surrounded by productive agricultural lands and an expansive Greenlands network.
Agriculture remains central to BWG’s identity, celebrated each year through Carrot Fest, which attracts more than 200 vendors and has been recognized as one of Ontario’s Top 100 events for more than a decade.
As BWG continues to grow, the Town is focused on building a complete, healthy and connected community—expanding recreation opportunities, facilities, parks and services while preserving the heritage and character that make the community distinctive.
The Opportunity
Reporting to the Chief Administrative Officer and serving as a member of the Senior Management Team, the Director of Recreation and Cultural Services provides strategic and operational leadership across recreation programming, leisure facilities, construction projects, community events, parks and property.
This is an exciting opportunity to help shape recreation and community services in one of Canada’s fastest-growing municipalities.
The Town is seeking a strategic, adaptable and results-oriented leader who can anticipate the needs of a growing community, challenge conventional thinking and translate vision into action.
You will bring strong political acuity, sound operational judgment and an entrepreneurial approach to service delivery.
Equally important will be your ability to inspire and develop people, build productive relationships and create the alignment and momentum required to move important initiatives forward.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide strategic and operational leadership across Recreation and Cultural Services, including recreation programming, leisure facilities, construction projects, community events, parks and property.
- Lead operating and capital budgets, long-range forecasting and financial planning, ensuring resources are aligned with community needs and corporate priorities.
- Provide Council and senior leadership with strategic advice and recommendations related to facilities, parks, recreation programs, community events and capital priorities.
- Lead complex municipal operations including arenas, sports fields, swimming pools and community buildings, with a focus on safety, reliability, customer service and continuous improvement.
- Provide leadership for parks and facilities construction and maintenance, asset management, lifecycle planning, procurement and contract management.
- Champion program development, innovation and service modernization to ensure services remain responsive to a rapidly growing and changing community.
- Build, mentor and empower a high-performing team through clear expectations, employee engagement, succession planning, coaching and accountability.
- Build productive relationships with sports organizations, community and cultural groups, business leaders, school boards, public agencies and other stakeholders.
- Establish performance measures, identify operational efficiencies and continuously improve service delivery and technology to enhance the customer experience.
- Contribute as a member of the Senior Management Team to corporate strategy, cross-departmental initiatives and organizational priorities.
The Leader We Are Looking For
You are a strategic thinker and accomplished people leader who sees the big picture while understanding what it takes to deliver results.
You are energized by change, comfortable with complexity and willing to challenge the status quo when there is a better way forward.
You are decisive and persuasive, but also collaborative.
You build trust, establish clear expectations and give talented people the opportunity to succeed. Politically astute, you understand how to balance professional advice, operational realities, Council priorities and community expectations.
Above all, you are motivated by the opportunity to build strong teams, improve services and help shape the future of a growing community.
Qualifications and Experience
- University degree in recreation and leisure studies, recreation facility management or a related discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Post-graduate education in business, public administration or management is considered an asset.
- At least seven years of progressive management experience, including experience in a unionized environment.
- Experience with parks and facilities construction and maintenance, asset management, contract management, budgeting, program development and recreation/community facility operations.
- Strategic leadership ability within a municipal, public-sector or similarly complex political and community-service environment.
- A track record of innovation, problem solving, driving efficiencies in people, process and technology, change leadership and delivering results.
- Strong financial, interpersonal, communication and relationship-management skills.
- Proven ability to lead and develop teams, manage multiple priorities and build alignment among diverse stakeholders.
- Commitment to creating an inclusive workplace and serving a diverse and evolving community.
- Availability to attend evening and weekend meetings and events as required.
- Ability to provide a satisfactory Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check upon hire.
What the Town Offers
The position offers a salary range of $173,462 to $210,844 (2026 rates), together with a competitive benefits package.
Equity and Accommodation
The Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury is committed to equity in employment and to building a qualified workforce that reflects the diverse population it serves.
Applications are encouraged from Indigenous peoples, racialized people, persons with disabilities, and people who identify as LGBTQ2S+.
The Town is committed to providing accommodation in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code and the AODA throughout the recruitment and selection process.
Candidates requiring accommodation are encouraged to identify their needs when contacted for an interview.
How to Apply
To explore this exciting leadership opportunity, please submit your cover letter and resume to:
Patrick Rowan, Partner
E: prowan@feldmandaxon.com
We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.
Feldman Daxon Partners does not use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to screen, assess or select applicants at any stage of the recruitment process.
All applications are personally reviewed and evaluated by the Feldman Daxon team.