Recreation Manager

Job Details

Description

Recreation Manager Position Profile

Deadline to Apply: 4/21/25 at 8:30am (central time)

Interviews: week of 4/21/25 (virtual - first round), week of 4/28/25 (in-person - final round)

Pre-Employment Process: early May 2025

Expected Start Date: 6/16/2025

Details

• Full-Time, exempt
• $121,555 - $158,059 annually (depending on qualifications)
• Benefit eligible date of hire
• Reports to Parks and Recreation Director
• Located at Eden Prairie City Center (8080 Mitchell Road Eden Prairie, MN 55344)
• Standard business hours (8:00am-4:30pm), includes some nights and weekends
  
  

Responsibilities

The Recreation Manager provides leadership and direction in the development, operation and promotion of recreation programs and special facilities in a manner which engages the public and is consistent with City policies. The primary position responsibilities and areas of impact are:

• Provides a variety of quality recreation programs, opportunities, special events and facilities to meet the recreational needs of the community. Plans the development of a wide variety of recreation activities, cultural programs, athletic programs, community events and skill development programs. Assures maximum use and appropriate balance of rental groups with community programming. Provides direct supervision of all full-time staff within the Recreation Division, fostering a clear vision and goals and helping to develop and implement valuable programming for all community members.
• Develops strong partnerships with community groups through outreach, networking and collaborative initiatives. Provides positive City of Eden Prairie representation during community events and projects.
• Provides community with timely and appropriate recreation program information. Oversees the registration of all recreation programs. Oversees the publication and distribution of the community recreation program materials and other promotion and marketing initiatives as required.
• Oversees the Recreation Division operating budgets and capital improvements. Prepares, analyzes, and administers budgets. Prepares reports and records and assures all available resources are used effectively and efficiently.
• Oversees the operation of department database and E-commerce systems. Works directly with vendors to stay up to date on system upgrades and address issues. Provides system training for others.
• Prepares and presents information to the Parks, Recreation & Natural Resources Commission and City Council regarding all functions relating to recreation programs and facilities. Meets with interested citizens and community groups on quality of existing programs and the need for new activities/recreation facilities and addresses concerns from the public or program users.
  
  

While these areas are the primary focus of this position, we believe strongly in teamwork and employees will be called upon to perform a variety of duties as a part of their role with the City.

Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree in Parks and Recreation, Sports Management, Public Administration or a related field and a minimum of 2 years of experience in Parks and Recreation administration required or a minimum of five years of experience in Parks and Recreation in a similar role is required. A master’s degree in Parks and Recreation, Sports Management, Public Administration or related field preferred. Experience with developing, implementing, and adapting unique programming that meets the needs of a diverse community is preferred. A minimum of three years of supervisory experience is required. Experience supervising full-time employees is required. Working knowledge of office software including word processing, spreadsheets, databases (MS Office) and experience with registration software (i.e. RecTrac), facility scheduling, membership management and point of sales is required. Experience utilizing RecTrac registration software is preferred.
• Physical effort is moderate for the majority of work with lifting or carrying limited to 50 intermittently. There are intermittent visits to city department locations, some of which are in other areas of the city. There is a need to analyze reports and make presentations, which involves public speaking in front of city leaders. Report preparation and writing at times requires extended use of a keyboard. Work interruptions are frequent.Most work is performed in a normal office environment. Occasional driving or riding is required to attend meetings.
• Candidates must successfully complete and pass the City’s evaluation of the pre-employment process prior to their first day of employment. Pre-employment processes for this position includes professional reference checks, background check, work history verification, education verification and Leadership Evaluation.
  
  

Skills

• Creates a climate in which people want to do their best. Makes each individual’s work feel important. Someone people like working for and with. Able to motivate direct reports, project members and a team. Invites input and encourages contribution, empowers others, effectively delegates by sharing responsibilities and accountability.
• Ability to tackle a problem by using logical, systematic, sequential approach. Makes a systematic comparison of two or more alternatives. Notices discrepancies and inconsistencies in available information. Identifies a set of features, parameters or considerations to take into account in analyzing a situation or making a decision.
• Looks ahead to the future. Identifies appropriate objectives and timelines. Involves appropriate stakeholders. Continuously monitors project and adapts scope as appropriate. Measures results and analyzes outcome. Follows through on commitments.
  
  

Our Values

We are a service organization. We take pride in what we do. We cultivate a supportive, encouraging and productive culture with a strong customer focus. We promote wellness and plan work/life balance into our goals. We value differences and foster inclusion. We achieve success by exhibiting our core values: collaboration, innovation, integrity, performance and relationships.