Program Manager - Recreation

Socket.dev; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 81,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Atlanta Parks & Recreation Department is seeking a Program Manager to lead process improvement initiatives and coordinate program operations, training, and project activities.

The ideal candidate will have a strong leadership track record, experience managing cross-disciplinary teams, and the ability to develop strategies that improve efficiency, reduce costs, and deliver high-quality service to the community.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Management, Public Administration, Project Management, or related field.
• 7+ years of relevant professional experience; at least 5 years in program/project management.
• Experience as Program Manager or in a managerial role.
• Experience developing project plans, cross-functional collaboration, and SOW/cost/schedule.
• Experience identifying and mitigating risk; indirect people management.

Responsibilities

• Analyze and re-engineer processes to improve efficiency and quality of service.
• Design and implement new or improved process models and structures.
• Lead process teams to achieve results.
• Develop new process capabilities and train staff.
• Conduct operational assessments, audits, and performance evaluations.
• Manage projects, analyze data, and track milestones and budgets.
• Communicate strategy and changes to leadership and stakeholders.
• Plan programs, procurements, contracts, and monitor performance.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Problem-solving

Change management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in related field

Tools

Basecamp

MS Project

MS Office

Job description

Parks & Recreation

Program Manager

Posting Expires: October 5, 2026

Salary Range: $80,594 - $90,000 annually

General Description and Classification Standards

Direct the process for verifying, analyzing, and implementing process improvement and process re-engineering opportunities in the department.

The Program Manager is responsible for organizing and coordinating critical programs, including but not limited to, program operations, training, project activities, and overseeing the progress of these operations. This position provides strategic guidance to program staff. The ideal candidate will be an excellent leader and will have experience in managing staff of different disciplines to produce results in a timely manner. The candidate will also be able to develop efficient strategies and tactics. The goal is to ensure that all programs deliver the desirable outcome to the organization.

Supervision Received

Works under very general supervision, independently or as a team member in carrying out assignments. Depending on organizational structure, may work independently with responsibility for an assigned function or program.

Responsibilities

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: These are typical responsibilities for this position and should not be construed as exclusive or all inclusive.

• Performs process analysis and re-engineering to recommend strategies to improve efficiency, lower costs, and improve quality of service delivery.
• Facilitate the design and implementation of new/improved process models and organizational structures.
• Manages and lead process teams to achieve desired results.
• Assist in development of new process capabilities.
• Conduct operational assessments, audits, and performance evaluations.
• Perform project management, analyses of analytics and other data driven reviews, and measure changes to ensure milestones are met and deliverables achieved.
• Interacts with organizational leadership to communicate various program strategy, direction, and changes.
• Conducts strategic planning for programs, procurement, contract development and monitoring; develops annual plans and modifications for programs.
• Maintains the efficiency of the project management process, such as planning, scheduling, budget, and risk assessment. Identifies and mitigates potential risks.
• Manages teams engaged in multiple projects, project leaders, and/or support staff as needed. Creates a structure/environment in which team members can work together as an efficient team.
• Interfaces with and manages vendors and contractors for assigned programs.
• Identifies and utilizes critical software and resources for the purpose of staff training and coordinates training activities for staff.
• Monitors, measures, and reports on project status to leadership and appropriate stakeholders. Accountable for strategic goals, including but not limited to, efficiency and functionality of project completions, timeline adherence, budget, and resource management.
• May perform other duties as assigned.

The above statements reflect the general duties, responsibilities and competencies considered necessary to perform the essential duties and responsibilities of the job and should not be considered as a detailed description of all the work requirements of the position. COA may change the specific job duties with or without prior notice based on the needs of the organization.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities

This is a partial listing of necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the job successfully, it is not an exhaustive list.

• Knowledge: Excellent knowledge of performance evaluation and change management principles; excellent knowledge of MS Office; working knowledge of program/project management software (Basecamp, MS Project, etc.) is a strong advantage; thorough understanding of project/program management techniques and methods.
• Knowledge of project management best practices, including knowledge of waterfall and agile methodologies;
• Skills: Outstanding leadership and organizational skills; excellent communication skills.
• Abilities: Excellent problem-solving ability.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience -

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Management, Public Administration, Project Management, or a related field.
• Seven [7] years of relevant professional experience; at least 5 years of program/project management experience.
• Proven experience as a Program Manager or other managerial position.
• Experience developing project plans, including a project plan that includes the charter, scope, project management approach, management plans, statement of work, cost estimates, and schedule; working with cross-functional teams and staff of all levels;
• Experience with identifying and mitigating risk;
• Experience in the indirect management of team members, including assisting in the development, training, and assignment of work/projects to other members of a team.

Preferred Requirements

• Sig Sigma Black belt.
• Master’s degree in Business Administration, Management, Public Administration, Project Management, or a related field.
• 10 years of relevant professional experience

Work Environment

Work is performed in a professional office setting with regular computer use and occasional field or site visits, meetings, and trainings as required.

Lifting Requirements

Sedentary work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body.

It is the policy of the City of Atlanta (“COA”) that qualified individuals with disabilities are not discriminated against because of their disabilities regarding job application procedures, hiring, and other terms and conditions of employment. It is further the policy of the COA to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in all aspects of the employment process. The COA is prepared to modify or adjust the job application process or the job or work environment to make reasonable accommodations to the known physical or mental limitations of the applicant or employee to enable the applicant or employee to be considered for the position he or she desires, to perform the essential functions of the position in question, or to enjoy equal benefits and privileges of employment as are enjoyed by other similarly situated employees without disabilities, unless the accommodation will impose an undue hardship. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact the Human Resources Director for your department.

The City of Atlanta is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, ender identity, marital status, veteran’s status or national origin, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state, or local law. We value and encourage diversity in our workforce.