Manager Parks and Sportsgrounds

• Drive, lead and succeed
• Work for an organisation supporting the broader community
• Be part of shaping the Parks & Sportsgrounds team
• Work in our Operations Centre - Ryde location

About Us

City of Ryde, just 12 kilometres from Sydney CBD, is a place of unique lifestyle and opportunity. It is home to an engaged and culturally diverse community of around 130,000 people, and a strong and growing Smart City economy including more than 13,000 local businesses, Macquarie Park, world-class hospitals, and a leading university. All balanced with beautiful bushland, riverfront parks, open spaces, and sport facilities.

Our City is undergoing significant population growth as we address the housing crisis in a collaborative manner with the NSW State Government. Council anticipates our population to double over the next 30 years. To address this rapid population growth, Council has developed a strategy to “strike the right balance”, ensuring that employment opportunities and provision of critical infrastructure occurs with significant housing uplift.

Our council will continue to deliver a broad range of services, projects, programs, and events. We are actively committed to innovation, sustainability, resilience and providing exceptional customer experiences, and this relies on attracting and keeping great people. We offer a range of benefits, including flexible work arrangements, health and wellbeing programs, a learning and development program including study support, and a reward and recognition program.

About the Role

You will be driving the leadership and management of our public green spaces, sports facilities and urban landscape, also working on large scale projects aligned with the Council’s strategic vision.

You will be leading a team to manage the Council’s strategic, operational and community objectives ensuring our spaces are safe, functional and provide a positive connection to the public.

Reporting to the Director, Infrastructure, you will be integral in bringing your expertise to work with a range of complex matters using your think outside the square approach to guide your team delivering best practice to the people of Ryde.

About You

You will be influential in the future vision of City of Ryde by taking your team on a journey of growth. Your superior leadership skills are key to bringing your teams together and thinking of the future-state City of Ryde.

You will have experience working in a similar role with the ability to build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders. Your influential approach along with your hands on experience in project delivery will drive positive outcomes for the City of Ryde.

In addition, you will also have:

• Tertiary qualifications in a relevant discipline such as Leisure Management, Sport and Recreation or Recreation Management, or equivalent industry experience.
• 10+ years of management experience in Local Government, the public sector, or a large organisation, overseeing teams and resources in public land, including recreation planning, demand management and project delivery.
• Demonstrated experience in managing parks and leisure spaces, sportsgrounds and facilities, with a focus on delivering outcomes in a customer-driven environment.
• Extensive experience with and knowledge of legislation, regulations, design standards and codes of practice related to the construction and maintenance of park assets.
• Understanding of EPA legislation and its impacts on works in the field
• Experience in leading teams through organisational, technological, or cultural change, particularly in regulated environments with reputational impacts.
• Proven ability to manage budgets, financial planning, and forecasting for projects and operational needs.
• Knowledge of the regulatory, social, and political landscape within which Local Government functions.

Your commencing annual salary will range from $174,500 to $226,862 + Leaseback Vehicle + Superannuation, dependent on your experience and qualifications.

Culture & Benefits 

• Leaseback vehicle
• Commitment to providing opportunities for work/life balance
• Hybrid work from home and office arrangements available for eligible positions
• Flexibility regarding start and finish times to suit your lifestyle
• Work 35 hours and enjoy one Personal Leave day a month
• Long service leave after 5 years, then accrued monthly 
• 18 weeks paid parental leave (for eligible employees)
• 3 extra leave days at Christmas to ensure you have time to enjoy the holiday 
• Annual performance reviews and Award increases
• Opportunity to sign up as a fitness passport member
• Various health & well-being initiatives (i.e. flu vaccinations, etc.)

How to apply

Please ensure you give full answers to the online application questions, showcasing your abilities and experience. Your answers, in conjunction with your resume, will determine if you are invited to an interview. 

Please note you do not need a “password” to use our on-line application system, however you have the option save and return to your application prior to the closing date. In addition to answering the online questions, this position requires you to attach your Resume to complete the application process.  Please note, you are not required to submit a cover letter or a statement addressing selection criteria. 

Closing Date: Thursday 30th April 2026 at 11.30pm

If you would like to know more, please see the position description or job-related enquiries please contact Kelly Hawkins, Talent Acquisition Specialist on 9952 8480 for a confidential discussion.

City of Ryde is committed to Equal Employment and Child Safety