South Bellevue Community Center Program Manager

The Parks & Community Services Department is seeking an experienced and dynamic manager with a proven track record of motivating staff and providing innovative approaches to meet desired goals and outcomes. The chosen candidate will support a collaborative One City organizational approach and effort to achieve high performance.

The South Bellevue Community Center Program Manager is part of the Parks & Community Services recreation team committed to providing exceptional customer service, upholding public interest and being a part of the community vision. Our staff bring unique skills and qualities to the table, embrace the values of personal integrity, professionalism, honesty, accountability, and commitment to service, and take pride in the work they do. This position will work in an environment where being innovative, collaborative, and future focused are the status quo and will provide support by serving on a variety of committees and project teams to represent the best interests of the department and City.

The position will manage the daily operations of the South Bellevue Community Center; specifically support a small and talented team that provides and manages direct and contracted programs and services to meet the diverse needs and interests of the community. The position requires knowledge of all the systems and operations that support the programs and facilities and is expected to perform tasks at all levels to ensure continuity of service.

Hours/Schedule

The work schedule varies based on the center’s programming needs. This position’s core work schedule is typically Monday - Friday, but will also include early mornings, evenings and weekends, as needed. This position shares the responsibility of opening and closing shifts with other full-time employees (FTE) and being available on call.

About South Bellevue Community Center

South Bellevue Community Center has a strong operational partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Bellevue and is the primary program provider for preschool children, adults, older adults, adaptive and specialized recreation, family special events, fitness and wellness, human services and rentals. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Bellevue provide programs and services primarily for youth and teens (K-19), and include after-school, late night, out-of-school activities, and sports leagues.

The South Bellevue Community Center features two full gymnasiums, a fitness center, group exercise studio, two classrooms, community room, indoor climbing wall, and includes a challenge course renovated in 2025 and seven zip lines in Eastgate Park. Programs and activities are focused on active lifestyles, health and wellness, which are balanced with a wide variety of general recreation programs and events. The facility creates energy and a sense of community through effective use of the program space. 

About Bellevue Parks & Community Services

Bellevue Parks & Community Services Vision: In Bellevue everyone can connect to each other and to nature through experiences that help them to live, grow, and thrive.

Bellevue Parks & Community Services Mission: We build a healthy community through an integrated system of exceptional parks, natural areas, recreation, arts and culture, and a broad base of community services.

• Strategic Planning: Establish a strategic plan for accomplishing objectives that support relevant goals outlined in the department’s Recreation Program Plan; define, or assist in defining, program goals and objectives; establish methods and means of accomplishing program objectives; plan, organize and manage programs and services.
• Programming: Develop, plan, promote, implement, and review a wide range of community programs. Ensure programs meet the broadest needs and interests of a diverse community including equity, accessibility, and ensuring programs are culturally relevant. 
• Supervision: Hire, train, supervise, support, schedule, and evaluate Community Center staff, and take corrective action as needed; develop and manage staff engaged in administering programs and implement policies and procedures.
• Facility Management: Ensure facility and program equipment are kept in safe and operable condition; work with Resource Management on facility repairs and enhancements. Maintain standards identified in the SBCC Facility Standards manual and participate in daily property walk-arounds for quality control.
• Customer Service: Uphold and model the professional standards outlined in the SBCC Customer Standards Manual by training and guiding staff in best practices, leading customer service initiatives, and delivering direct support through timely response and resolution of customer inquiries and concerns.
• Community Relations: Develop new and/or review existing operational policies, procedures and agreements related to the facility and partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Bellevue; ensure positive relations with partners and neighbors; coordinate with City leadership, advisory boards, and regional authorities on program direction; negotiate and resolve significant and controversial issues.
• Budget: Develop program and/or facility budgets and track revenue and expenditures; work with program staff to develop pricing structure for activity fees, passes and instructor salaries; prepare informative financial reports and deliver persuasive, succinct presentations to senior management, elected officials and community groups as required. 
• Marketing: Work with our Parks Marketing Coordinator to develop public facing marketing strategies, presentations, and promotional materials, as well as distribution timelines. Maintain accessible standards as defined by Graphic Services and the Diversity Advantage Plan and department Title VI workplan.
• Contract Management: Develop Request for Proposals (RFPs) and a variety of contracts, agreements, MOU’s, etc. to solicit and negotiate the best quality and rates possible from contracted service providers.
• Performance Measures: Develop comprehensive work plans, timelines, goals, and objectives with clearly defined outcomes and performance metrics. Ensure program standards are consistently met by monitoring progress, evaluating results, and guiding staff in adjusting strategies and operations to achieve desired outcomes.

Supervision Received and Exercised

• Work under the general supervision of a Parks & Community Services Manager.
• Supervise program staff, program supervisors and coordinators, and support staff.

Education and Experience Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in recreation, business, or public administration.
• Five or more years of progressively responsible related experience in program management, preferably in the public sector as well as supervisory, facility, and budgetary experience.
• Or any equivalent combination of education, experience, and training that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Must pass a criminal background check prior to hire.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Experience

• Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of public sector organization and program operations; knowledge of project management including planning, scheduling, monitoring, and problem solving; knowledge of the methods and procedures of budget development and control; knowledge of City, state and federal laws and regulation relevant to the program area as well as departmental policies and procedures. 
• Knowledge of principles and practices of effective employee management and motivation. 
• Knowledge of databases and spreadsheet programs utilized by the city, including knowledge of applicable information technology relative to service area.
• General knowledge of contract management and ability to negotiate favorably with the City’s interests in mind.
• Excellent oral communication skills including public speaking, negotiating and customer service as well as written communication skills. Experience in making reports and presentations about the program to City Council, Park Board, other agencies, citizens, and business groups.
• Ability to relate and work with a diverse population with a broad range of interests and needs.
• A demonstrated commitment to ongoing learning of diversity, equity & inclusion and a commitment to implementing these principles in your work.
• Ability to interpret and apply policies and procedures to ambiguous situations.
• Ability to develop and maintain cooperative working relationships with a variety of citizens, business partners, community groups and City staff. Oversee the development of public involvement processes and community outreach.
• Ability to supervise the work of staff, of a variety of ages and career stages, including coordinating, assigning, monitoring and evaluating work and hiring, training, developing, supporting, counseling and disciplining staff. 
• Ability to build and nurture a strong, united staff through team-building activities to promote positive communication skills, trust, respect, professionalism, and community.
• Ability to prepare and analyze budgets, schedules, reports, policy and procedures manuals, and correspondence. 
• Experience in facility management and scheduling.
• General knowledge of aerial adventure activities and Association of Challenge Course Technology standards to be learned within the first six months of employment.

Other Requirements:

• The candidate selected for this position must pass a criminal background check prior to being hired.

Physical Demands

• The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Work involves walking, talking, hearing, using hands to handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls, and reaching with hands and arms. Vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus. 
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderately quiet but can be loud at busy program times. 
• This position’s core work schedule is typically Monday - Friday, but will also include early mornings, evenings and weekends, as needed. This position shares the responsibility of opening and closing shifts with other full-time employees (FTE) and being available on call.