Interim Executive Director in Maywood, Illinois at Maywood Park District

MAYWOOD PARK DISTRICT—INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OPPORTUNITY
INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

The Maywood Park District (“MPD”) is seeking qualified candidates for the full-time position of Interim Executive Director. The Interim Executive Director will serve, during the interim appointment, as MPD’s chief administrative and operational executive officer and will report directly to the Board of Commissioners (the “Board”).

POSITION SUMMARY

The Interim Executive Director is responsible for the overall administration, direction, management, planning, and oversight of MPD’s operations, including parks and facilities, maintenance, programs and services, personnel, financial administration, capital improvements, infrastructure, safety and risk management, records management, legal and operational compliance, and the responsible use of public resources.

Working collaboratively with the Board, MPD staff, community members, governmental entities, and other partners, the Interim Executive Director is accountable to the Board collectively and is responsible for implementing Board ordinances, policies, resolutions, and directives and administering MPD operations in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local law.

The position provides an opportunity to lead MPD’s operations, work collaboratively with the Board, staff, and community partners, and support the continued effective delivery of MPD programs and services while the Board considers and determines MPD’s longer-term executive leadership needs.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Direct and oversee MPD’s day-to-day operations and the operation and maintenance of its parks, facilities, buildings, grounds, infrastructure, programs, and services.
• Supervise and manage MPD personnel and administer Board-approved personnel policies and compensation plans in accordance with applicable law and Board authority.
• Coordinate preparation and administration of MPD’s budget and appropriation ordinance, tax levy, financial reporting, audits, purchasing, and other financial operations.
• Oversee procurement, contracts and agreements, equipment assets, records management, and operational compliance within the authority granted by the Board and applicable law.
• Oversee safety, risk-management, maintenance, and facility-inspection practices; and timely identify and address operational concerns.
• Provide the Board with regular, accurate, and timely operational and financial reports and recommendations.
• Assist with preparation of Board meeting agendas and supporting materials and attend regular and special meetings of the Board.
• Serve as one of MPD’s designated Freedom of Information Act (“FOIA”) Officers and perform Open Meetings Act (“OMA”) responsibilities, if designated by the Board, including timely completion of legally required training applicable to such designations.
• Maintain productive relationships with residents, community organizations, governmental entities, contractors, utilities, regulatory agencies, and other MPD partners.
• Perform such other duties as may be assigned by the Board consistent with applicable law and Board authority.

QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS

• Experience: Progressively responsible administrative, supervisory, or leadership experience, such as Director, Administrator, Coordinator, or other senior-level management experience, preferably with a park district, municipality, other unit of local government or public agency, or comparable organization. Experience with personnel supervision, budgeting and financial administration, policy implementation, strategic planning, and organizational operations is preferred.
• Education: A degree in parks and recreation, public administration, business administration, management, finance, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and relevant professional experience, is preferred.
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• Knowledge: Knowledge of, or ability to timely acquire working knowledge of, the Illinois Park District Code, OMA, FOIA, public finance, budgeting, procurement, labor and employment matters, recordsretention requirements, governmental ethics and transparency requirements, and governmental operations.
• Leadership & Management: Strong leadership, organizational, management, written and verbal communication, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to supervise and motivate employees, establish priorities and accountability, manage operations and resources, and implement Board policies and directives.
• Collaboration: Ability to work collaboratively with MPD staff and volunteers, the Board, community members, governmental entities, elected and appointed officials, and external partners and to represent MPD professionally.
• Technology: Basic proficiency with standard office software, including Microsoft Office.
• Licenses & Certifications: Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP), Certified Park and Recreation Executive (CPRE), or other relevant professional certification is preferred.
• Other Requirements: Demonstrated professionalism, integrity, sound judgment, and accountability; ability to appropriately maintain confidential and legally protected information; ability to reliably travel to MPD facilities, meetings, programs, and other locations as required; ability to attend evening meetings and other events as reasonably required; and ability to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

Salary Range: $60,000–$70,000 annually, depending upon the selected candidate’s education, training, relevant experience, qualifications, and other lawful job-related factors.

The position is full-time and eligible for vacation, sick leave, and other paid time off in accordance with applicable MPD policies and applicable law.

INTERIM & AT-WILL EMPLOYMENT

The Interim Executive Director will serve as a full-time, at-will employee during an interim period while the Board considers and determines MPD’s longer-term executive leadership needs. The duration of the interim appointment will be determined by the Board based upon MPD’s operational and leadership needs.

Service as Interim Executive Director does not guarantee appointment as the permanent Executive Director. The Board retains discretion regarding the process and qualifications for any future permanent Executive Director appointment.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Applicants must submit:
• A current résumé; and
• A cover letter describing the applicant’s qualifications and interest in serving as MPD’s Interim Executive Director.
Application materials should be submitted electronically to: HumanResources@maywoodparks.org

MPD reserves the right to consider incomplete applications in appropriate circumstances.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: October 9, 2026

MPD reserves the right to consider applications received after the deadline and to continue, modify, or conclude the recruitment process as permitted by applicable law.’

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY & REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

The Maywood Park District is an equal opportunity employer. MPD does not discriminate in recruitment, hiring, employment, or any other term or condition of employment on the basis of any characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law, including the Illinois Human Rights Act.

Reasonable accommodations will be provided to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities as required by applicable law. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation in connection with the application or selection process may contact:

Alicia M. Straughter, PhD, Strategic HR Executive, at HumanResources@maywoodparks.org.
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