Recreation Programs Manager

Join Our Vibrant Team  at the Town of Wake Forest!

Due to an internal staff promotion, we are excited to recruit for one Recreation Program Manager to join our team.  

Do you have a passion for Recreation and a desire to make a tangible impact on a thriving and growing town? Are you seeking a workplace that values collaboration, innovation, and a healthy work-life balance? If so, the Town of Wake Forest Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resources Department invites you to bring your talents and enthusiasm to our dynamic team! 

Why Choose Wake Forest Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources?

Working for the Town of Wake Forest isn't just a job – it's an opportunity to contribute to a special place's unique character and future. Here's what makes us stand out:

Our Organizational Culture: The Town’s vision is that Wake Forest’s vibrant, diverse, and welcoming community fosters its distinct character, thriving economy, and high quality of life. Our Core Values are Caring, Commitment, Character, Innovation, and Collaboration. Every quarter, we highlight one of our core values and have peer nominations to recognize exemplary work demonstrated by our employees. As part of employee development, the Town hosts a Toastmasters group, Supervisory Bootcamp, Leadership Academy, Effective Supervisory Practices course, and other professional growth opportunities. The Town also provides at least three annual Employee Appreciation food truck events.

A Collaborative and Supportive Environment: We foster a close-knit team where your ideas are valued, and collaboration is key to our success. You'll work alongside experienced and passionate professionals dedicated to mentorship and professional growth. We regularly have team-building events to celebrate departmental and personal accomplishments.

Work-Life Balance Matters: We understand the importance of a healthy work-life balance and strive to create a supportive environment that respects your time and commitments outside work. The Town offers Wellness Wednesday once a month, which allows employees to take off one hour early to attend to wellness needs. We also offer free access to our recreational facilities and discounted fees for youth athletic programs for employees' families. Our department also offers opportunities for management leave and flex time.

Located in a Charming and Growing Town: Wake Forest offers a high quality of life with a historic downtown, beautiful parks and greenways, a growing arts and culture scene, and a strong sense of community. Our Town Hall is in the Downtown area, which allows you to walk to lunch and other amenities. 

Opportunities for Professional Development: We are committed to investing in our employees' growth through training, workshops, conferences, and other opportunities to expand their knowledge and skills in planning.

Competitive Benefits Package: The Town of Wake Forest offers a comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, vision, and life insurance, long-term and short-term disability programs, retirement plan, paid time off, volunteer leave, paid parental leave, paid elder care leave, non-matching required 401k contributions, longevity pay bonuses, Employee Assistance Program, Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), and more. Upon completing a six-month probationary period, you will also receive a 5% increase in salary.  The Hiring Range for this opportunity is: $88,406 - 94,186.

General Statement of Duties
Performs advanced professional and administrative work in planning, directing, coordinating, implementing, and evaluating a comprehensive system of recreation programs, community centers, special events, specialized recreation services, and community partnerships. Provides leadership and strategic direction for assigned divisions while supervising staff, managing budgets, developing policies, and ensuring exceptional customer service and operational excellence.

Distinguishing Features of the Class
An employee in this class manages multiple program areas and facilities within the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department, including Community Centers, Special Events, and Specialized Recreation. The employee provides direct supervision to full-time staff, develops operational goals and priorities, oversees budgets, evaluates programs, and ensures consistent service delivery across assigned divisions.
The Recreation Program Manager is responsible for developing new programs and initiatives, implementing departmental policies, managing complex projects, cultivating community partnerships, seeking grant opportunities, and recommending operational improvements that support the Department's strategic goals.
The employee collaborates extensively with Town departments, community organizations, advisory groups, contractors, instructors, volunteers, and citizens to enhance recreational opportunities and improve the quality of life for residents.
Work requires considerable independent judgment, initiative, leadership, and discretion in interpreting departmental policies and managing multiple priorities. Work is performed under the general supervision of the Assistant Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Director and is evaluated through operational effectiveness, achievement of strategic goals, customer satisfaction, and program outcomes.

Employee Values:  Employees of the Town of Wake Forest are expected to uphold and exhibit the Town’s shared employee values of caring, commitment, character, and collaboration.Essential Duties and Tasks:
Leadership & Administration

• Direct and oversee the daily operations of Community Centers, Special Events, and Specialized Recreation programs.
• Supervise, coach, mentor, and evaluate full-time, part-time, seasonal, and temporary employees.
• Recruit, interview, hire, onboard, and train employees.
• Develop work plans, assign projects, monitor progress, and evaluate operational performance.
• Cultivate a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing workplace culture.

Strategic Planning & Operations

• Develop and implement division goals, objectives, and operational plans aligned with departmental strategic priorities.
• Evaluate existing services and identify opportunities for operational improvements.
• Develop policies, procedures, and standard operating practices to improve consistency and efficiency.
• Lead implementation of department-wide initiatives, technology improvements, and organizational changes.
• Analyze community needs and recommend new programs and services.

Financial Management

• Develop, administer, and monitor operating budgets exceeding $2 million.
• Forecast expenditures and revenues.
• Recommend staffing, equipment, and capital improvement needs.
• Evaluate financial performance and implement strategies to improve operational efficiency.
• Identify grant, sponsorship, and partnership opportunities that enhance services

Recreation Programming

• Direct development, implementation, and evaluation of recreation programs serving all ages and abilities.
• Oversee planning and execution of large-scale community events, festivals, inclusive recreation programs, and special initiatives.
• Ensure programs meet safety, accessibility, and customer service standards.
• Evaluate participation trends and community feedback to improve services.

Community Engagement & Partnerships

• Establish and maintain partnerships with community organizations, nonprofits, schools, healthcare providers, and local businesses.
• Collaborate with Town departments including Communications, Human Resources, Finance, Facilities, Planning, IT, Police, Fire, and Public Works.
• Represent the Department on committees, advisory groups, and community initiatives.
• Promote programs through public presentations, marketing initiatives, and community outreach.

Risk Management & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with departmental policies, CAPRA standards, Town policies, and applicable laws.
• Develop operational procedures that support safety and risk management.
• Monitor facilities and programs to ensure quality standards and operational consistency.
• Investigate and resolve customer concerns and operational issues.

Additional Responsibilities

• Prepare reports, presentations, strategic plans, and performance metrics.
• Support departmental accreditation efforts and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Coordinate department-wide projects and leadership development opportunities. 
• May perform related duties as assigned and within the scope of this classification.

Recruitment and Selection Guidelines:
Desirable Education and Experience
Bachelor's degree in Parks and Recreation Administration, Public Administration, Leisure Services, Business Administration, or a related field, with five to seven years of progressively responsible experience in municipal parks and recreation management, including supervision, budgeting, strategic planning, program development, and operational leadership, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of municipal parks and recreation operations.
• Thorough knowledge of recreation programming, event management, community engagement, and facility operations.
• Knowledge of budgeting, strategic planning, organizational leadership, and public administration.
• Ability to lead multiple divisions while balancing competing priorities.
• Ability to analyze operational challenges and implement effective solutions.
• Ability to build collaborative relationships with staff, elected officials, community partners, and residents.
• Ability to communicate effectively through presentations, reports, and public engagement.
• Ability to lead organizational change and develop employees.

Special Requirements
Possession of a valid North Carolina driver's license. First aid, CPR and AED certifications are required. Obtain CPRP within one year of hire date. Physical Requirements

• Must be able to physically perform the basic life operational functions of reaching, talking, andhearing.
• Must be able to perform sedentary work exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally; and/or up a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry push, pull, or otherwise move objects. This position may require more than normal activity and movement due to the nature of thework.
• Must possess the visual acuity to prepare and analyze data, operate a computer terminal, do extensive reading, utilize measuring devices, and inspect work ofothers.