ADMINISTRATOR OF SPORTS AND RECREATION

Newport News Parks & Recreation | Newport News, Virginia

Newport News Parks & Recreation is seeking an experienced, innovative, and community-focused professional to serve as Administrator of Sports and Recreation. Reporting to the Assistant Director of Sports, Youth, and Wellness, this position provides leadership and overall administration for athletics, aquatics, instructional and recreation programs, and recreation facility operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Provides strategic and operational leadership for athletics, aquatics, instructional programs, therapeutic and inclusive recreation, open recreation, and recreation facilities.
• Plans, develops, implements, and evaluates programs and services based on participation, performance measures, industry trends, and community needs.
• Oversees athletic leagues, tournaments, instructional programs, and other sports-related services to ensure quality, safety, and equitable access.
• Provides oversight of aquatics programs, including water safety instruction, fitness programs, swim teams, recreational swimming, rentals, staffing, and scheduling.
• Establishes operational standards for recreation facilities, including programming, scheduling, customer service, safety, maintenance coordination, and facility utilization.
• Provides technical expertise in recreation program design, curriculum development, service delivery, safety, and industry best practices.
• Ensures programs and facilities comply with applicable federal, state, and local regulations and established safety standards.
• Monitors program registration, enrollment, participation trends, customer satisfaction, revenues, and overall program performance.
• Develops revenue-generating opportunities and identifies operational efficiencies while maintaining high-quality and accessible services.
• Assists with the planning, design, renovation, and development of recreation facilities and program spaces.
• Develops partnerships with schools, community organizations, athletic organizations, and other stakeholders to expand services and community reach.
• Responds to public inquiries and concerns and represents the Department at meetings, community forums, and public engagements.
• Leads and develops assigned managers, supervisors, administrative staff, and other personnel, including hiring, performance management, coaching, employee relations, and staff development.
• Ensures personnel policies, performance standards, and disciplinary processes are administered consistently and appropriately.
• Assists with employee investigations and disciplinary matters and provides guidance to supervisors regarding performance and employee relations.
• Assists with development and administration of operating and capital budgets; monitors revenues and expenditures, approves purchases, and prepares financial projections and reports.
• Supports departmental strategic initiatives and promotes a culture of collaboration, accountability, innovation, customer service, and continuous improvement.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's Degree in Recreation, Leisure Studies, Parks and Recreation, Sports Management, Public Administration, or a related field.
• Five to seven years of progressively responsible experience in recreation programming, athletics, aquatics, recreation facility operations, or a related area.
• Three to four years of supervisory or management experience.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

Ideal Candidate

The successful candidate will be a collaborative and forward-thinking leader with strong experience managing people, programs, facilities, and financial resources. The individual should demonstrate excellent communication and decision-making skills, a commitment to exceptional public service, and the ability to develop innovative recreation opportunities that respond to the changing needs of the Newport News community.