Manager of Recreation and Culture

(Permanent, Full Time)

Work With Us

Bridgewater is a thriving town of more than 8,000 people, nestled in the heart of the historical LaHave River Valley. Known as the "Main Street of the South Shore", Bridgewater offers numerous services and industries to its citizens and the Lunenburg County region. Good planning is essential to the town's long-term health and sustainability as the community continues to develop and grow. Over the past decade, the Town of Bridgewater has emerged as an international leader in sustainability and energy transition planning and programming.

The Town of Bridgewater is committed to offering equal employment opportunities based on qualifications and performance, and free from discrimination because of age, race or ethnic origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, disability, family status, gender identity, or other protected characteristics, in accordance with the Nova Scotia Human Rights Code. At the Town of Bridgewater, we strive to make our recruitment, assessment, and selection processes as accessible as possible and provide accommodations as required for applicants with disabilities. If you require any accommodations at any point during the application and hiring process, please contact us at [email protected].

About the Role

Reporting to the Director of Community Development, the Manager of Recreation & Culture is responsible for leading and supporting the staff required to meet the Town's commitments to recreation, culture and heritage. This role is responsible for shaping a cohesive vision for programming, initiatives, exhibits and spatial design of the DesBrisay Museum and Outdoor Pool facilities.

The Manager of Recreation & Culture provides oversight and leadership for the town programs, activities, and facilities related to recreation and culture. This includes programming, services, initiatives, exhibits, museum collections and activities across the various Town facilities specifically including the DesBrisay Museum, the Outdoor Pool and Town parks. This role consults with and collaborates on the development and maintenance of Town Parks as it pertains to recreation and culture.

This position is responsible communications and negotiation with the Province of Nova Scotia on the management of the Wile Carding Mill Museum and the Municipal Physical Activity Leadership (MPAL) program. This position also responsible for the implementation and periodic review of various recreation and culture policies of Council including, but not limited to, the PROKids and Grants to Organizations Policies and those related to the DesBrisay Museum collection and operations. The Manager may direct and/or lead departmental projects as per the strategic direction of Council.

About You

You have a strong customer service orientation with the ability to exercise diplomacy and good judgement. Using your excellent communication skills you listen to understand other perspectives and speak and write in clear, accessible language. You value diversity. You have experience in managing and developing budgets and exercise good fiscal management. With your passion for learning, educating and engaging the public, you are open and welcoming of diverse viewpoints, perspectives, and experiences. You proactively lead by example and effectively manage your team using your leadership skills and desire to understand others. You are experienced with integrating teams to build a collaborative team to achieve common goals.

Education:

• University degree in History, Art, Museum Studies, Library Studies, Recreation Management, Community Development or another relevant field.
• A combination of education and experience providing the required competencies will also be considered.

Experience:

• Three years of demonstrated leadership and/or supervisory experience.
• Demonstrated ability in program development and management.
• Demonstrated ability in facility management.
• Minimum of five years' related work experience in a recreation and/or museum environment.
• Demonstrated general knowledge of municipal government operations is an asset.

Certification:

• First Aid/CPR (to be provided by employer)
• WHMIS (to be provided by employer)
• Diversity, equity, and inclusion training
• Association of Nova Scotia Museums (ANSM) museum studies program an asset (or willingness to obtain)
• Accessibility Training (Rick Hansen, for example) is an asset
• Subject to periodic security checks, as involves work with children and seniors
• Firearms license (willing to obtain due to items in museum collection)

Terms and Conditions of Employment:

• Non-union, permanent, full time (35 hours per week)
• Location office shall be the DesBrisay Museum or Town Hall
• Museum is open to the public Tuesday through Saturday from 1 - 5 pm (September - June) and 9 am - 5 pm (July - August).
• Town Hall is open to the public 8:30 am - 4:30 pm.
• Work outside of regular office hours is required to meet operational demands.
• Annual Salary - $78,451 - $100,865

To apply:

• Please submit a resume and cover letter no later than Wednesday, September 3, 2025 at 12 noon.
• Visit: https://Bridgewater.scouterecruit.net/jobs/TOB2025032