Associate Director of Recreation - Programs

southjordancity; Utah; On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of South Jordan is seeking an experienced leader to serve as Associate Director of Recreation Programs. You will provide strategic leadership and oversight for recreation programs, facilities, arts and culture, and special events to strengthen community life.

You will lead managers, translate city priorities into services, and ensure safe, innovative, and financially responsible operations responsive to community needs. This role balances long-term vision with hands-on leadership.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in recreation management, public administration, business administration, or related field.
• Four years of directly related recreation, community services, facility, or program-management experience, with at least two years in a supervisory role.
• Valid Utah Class D Driver License.
• Ability to obtain a Utah Food Handler Permit within six months of hire.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and operational oversight for recreation programs, facilities, services, and special events.
• Lead, coach, and develop managers and supervisors with a culture of accountability and public service.
• Develop strategic and operational plans, service standards, policies, and performance measures.
• Prepare and manage budgets, monitor revenues and expenditures, and evaluate participation data.
• Use community needs and data to guide program development and improvements.
• Oversee purchasing, contracts, leases, vendors, facilities, and public assets.
• Build relationships with employees, officials, partners, vendors, and residents.
• Address complex service concerns and emergencies with sound judgment.
• Represent or act on behalf of the Director of Recreation when assigned.

Skills

Leadership

Decision-making

Communication

Team development

Strategic planning

Budgeting

Program evaluation

Contract administration

Recreation operations

Education

Bachelor's degree in recreation management or related field

Job description

Help Shape the Future of Recreation in South Jordan!

The City of South Jordan is seeking an experienced and collaborative leader to serve as our next Associate Director of Recreation Programs. This position provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for recreation programs, facilities, arts and cultural activities, and special events that strengthen community connection and enhance residents' quality of life.

Working closely with the Director of Recreation, this position leads managers and supervisors, translates City priorities into effective services, and helps ensure that recreation operations are safe, innovative, financially responsible, and responsive to community needs. This is an excellent opportunity for a recreation professional who can balance long-term vision with strong day-to-day leadership.

What You'll Do

• Provide leadership and operational oversight for assigned recreation programs, facilities, services, and special events.
• Lead, coach, and develop managers and supervisors while building a culture of accountability, teamwork, and excellent public service.
• Develop strategic and operational plans, service standards, policies, performance measures, and measurable goals.
• Prepare and manage budgets, monitor revenues and expenditures, evaluate participation data, and recommend cost-recovery strategies.
• Use community needs, customer feedback, and operational results to guide program development and service improvements.
• Oversee purchasing, contracts, leases, vendors, facilities, equipment, and other public assets.
• Build productive relationships with employees, elected officials, community partners, outside agencies, vendors, and residents.
• Address complex service concerns, operational challenges, and emergencies with sound judgment and timely decision-making.
• Represent or act on behalf of the Director of Recreation when assigned.

Who You Are

• An experienced leader who can oversee multiple programs, facilities, projects, and priorities in a highly visible public-service environment.
• A thoughtful decision-maker who uses data, financial information, community needs, and professional judgment to develop practical solutions.
• A strong communicator who can build trust with employees, City leadership, elected officials, community partners, and the public.
• Skilled in employee development, strategic planning, budgeting, program evaluation, contract administration, and recreation operations.
• Committed to accessible, safe, inclusive, and responsive recreation services.
• Able to work occasional evenings, weekends, holidays, special events, or emergency assignments as operational needs require.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university in recreation management, business administration, public administration, or a related field.
• Four years of directly related recreation, community services, facility, or program-management experience, including at least two years in a supervisory role.
• Valid Utah Class D Driver License.
• Ability to obtain a Utah Food Handler Permit within six months of hire.

Certification as a Certified Park and Recreation Professional or Certified Park and Recreation Executive is preferred.