Programs Director

Williston Parks & Recreation; Williston (ND); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Williston Parks & Recreation seeks an experienced leader to oversee recreation, fitness and wellness, and childcare programs. You will supervise managers, shape program calendars, manage budgets, and ensure high-quality services while maintaining safety and regulatory compliance.

You will drive strategic planning, CAPRA accreditation efforts, and pursue grants and sponsorships to advance community priorities.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree plus at least five years of full‑time management experience in parks and recreation or related environment.
• Experience supervising managers or multiple program areas.
• Experience with budgeting, financial management, program planning and evaluation.
• Experience addressing personnel, program, financial, and safety matters at management level.
• Ability to work evenings, weekends, holidays, and irregular hours as required by programs and events.
• Valid North Dakota driver’s license or ability to obtain within 30 days of employment.
• Current CPR certification or ability to obtain within six months of employment.

Responsibilities

• Provides leadership for recreation, fitness, wellness, and childcare programs.
• Supervises, supports, evaluates, and sets priorities for assigned managers.
• Plans, delivers, and evaluates programs, events, and community offerings to meet needs.
• Develops and manages annual program budgets, revenue and pricing.
• Leads master planning, CAPRA accreditation work, and grant opportunities.
• Promotes and coordinates program policies, safety, and licensing requirements.
• Maintains partnerships and reports to Executive Director and Park Board.

Skills

Leadership

Budgeting

Strategic Planning

Personnel Management

Communication

Education

Master’s degree in parks & recreation administration

Job description

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES

• Provides overall leadership, strategic direction, and accountability for WPRD recreation, fitness and wellness, and childcare programs to ensure safe, effective, financially responsible, and high-quality services.
• Supervises, supports, and evaluates the Recreation Manager, Fitness & Wellness Manager, and Childcare Programs Manager and establishes clear program priorities, performance expectations, and management accountability.
• Oversees the planning, development, delivery, and evaluation of assigned programs, sports, activities, and special events to meet community needs and support WPRD goals.
• Develops and manages program operating budgets, revenue goals, expense controls, purchasing, program pricing recommendations, and resource priorities.
• Leads short and long term program planning and coordinates WPRD master planning initiatives with the Executive Director and appropriate departments.
• Assists with WPRD’s CAPRA accreditation efforts, including standards review, documentation, submissions, and ongoing coordination across departments.
• Leads grant research, writing, and coordination and develops sponsorship, donation, and other funding opportunities to support WPRD priorities.
• Establishes program policies, procedures, service standards, safety practices, and management expectations within delegated authority and WPRD approval procedures. Ensures compliance with WPRD policies and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Maintains community partnerships, resolves significant program and personnel matters, and provides program performance reports and recommendations to the Executive Director and Park Board.

The following statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work to be performed by the individual within this classification. They are not to be considered an exhaustive or all-inclusive listing of the position’s duties and tasks, as they may change or be adjusted, as situations require.

JOB DUTIES/TASKS

• Works with assigned managers to establish program calendars, staffing expectations, service standards, resource allocation, and consistent practices across recreation, fitness and wellness, and childcare programs.
• Oversees recruitment, selection, training, development, and performance evaluations of assigned managers and provides Director level direction on significant staffing, performance, and disciplinary matters in coordination with Human Resources and the Executive Director.
• Reviews participation, enrollment, participant feedback, staffing, revenue, expenses, and community needs to evaluate program quality and recommend improvements, new offerings, or changes to existing programs.
• Develops and manages annual program budgets, revenue projections, expenditures, and purchasing and works with assigned managers to maintain approved budgets and financial expectations.
• Develops and recommends program fees, registration policies, and cost recovery goals in coordination with appropriate staff to balance financial sustainability and community access.
• Coordinates program space, schedules, equipment needs, and event support with the Facilities and Operations Director and appropriate facility staff. Communicates program needs and resolves scheduling conflicts through established WPRD procedures.
• Oversees planning and delivery of recreation activities, sports, fitness and wellness offerings, childcare programs, and special events through assigned managers, including state, regional, and national events as assigned.
• Develops, reviews, and monitors program agreements, partnerships, and contracted services within delegated authority and WPRD approval procedures. Coordinates facility use agreements with Facilities and Operations.
• Works with the Communications and Marketing Director to promote programs and events and ensure accurate, timely information about registration, schedules, fees, and program changes.
• Maintains relationships with schools, colleges, community organizations, program partners, volunteers, and participants and supports assigned managers in resolving significant program or partnership concerns.
• Participates in WPRD strategic planning and coordinates master plan development, updates, community input, and progress reporting with the Executive Director, department directors, and consultants as assigned.
• Coordinates CAPRA accreditation work, tracks standards and deadlines, organizes supporting documentation, and works with responsible departments to maintain compliance and prepare for accreditation reviews.
• Researches funding opportunities, prepares and coordinates grant applications, and works with Finance and responsible departments on approved grant requirements, reporting, and documentation. Pursues sponsorships and donations aligned with WPRD priorities.
• Develops and reviews program policies, procedures, and management controls within delegated authority and WPRD approval procedures. Works with assigned managers to ensure consistent implementation and compliance with applicable program safety, supervision, and licensing requirements.
• Provides department level direction during significant program incidents, emergencies, staffing shortages, and cancellations and ensures appropriate communication, response, documentation, and follow through with responsible departments.
• Represents WPRD at Park Board, leadership, staff, community, partner, and other meetings as assigned and prepares regular program, financial, staffing, accreditation, and planning reports for the Executive Director and Park Board.
• Performs related duties as required or assigned by the Executive Director.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED BY POSITION

• Knowledge of parks and recreation programming, recreation management, fitness and wellness services, childcare program administration, and applicable program policies, procedures, and standards.
• Knowledge of budgeting, financial management, program pricing, resource allocation, and strategic and master planning.
• Knowledge of CAPRA accreditation processes, grant development and administration, and community partnership development, or ability to develop this knowledge.
• Strong leadership and management skills with the ability to provide direction and accountability to managers and supervisors.
• Strong organizational, problem solving, decision making, and program development skills, including creativity and resourcefulness in meeting community needs.
• Ability to analyze program and financial information, identify needs and trends, establish priorities, and develop effective recommendations.
• Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills with the ability to establish effective working relationships with staff, participants, volunteers, community partners, and the public.
• Proficiency with computers, electronic communication systems, recreation registration software, financial and reporting systems, and Microsoft Office applications.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Supervises the Recreation Manager, Fitness & Wellness Manager, and Childcare Programs Manager and provides leadership, direction, performance management, and program support.

GUIDELINES

• Work follows Park District Policies and Procedures. These guidelines may require interpretation depending on program demands or emerging issues.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Work is performed in administrative offices, WPRD facilities, and indoor and outdoor program locations, with travel between sites and occasional off-site meetings or events.
• Work is performed in a fast-paced environment with frequent public contact, interruptions, multiple programs, events, and changing service needs.
• Work may involve standing, walking, bending, lifting, and tasks requiring manual dexterity.
• Required to work evenings, weekends, holidays, and irregular hours as programs, events, emergencies, and staffing needs require.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree or higher in parks and recreation administration, recreation management, public administration, or a related field, with at least five years of full-time management experience in parks and recreation programming, community recreation, or a related environment.
• Experience supervising managers, supervisors, or multiple program areas.
• Experience with budgeting, financial management, program planning and evaluation, and resource allocation.
• Experience addressing significant personnel, program, financial, and safety matters requiring management level judgment and decision making.
• Ability to work independently and to work evenings, weekends, holidays, and irregular hours as required by programs, events, and emergencies.
• Ability to lift at least 30 pounds and heavier loads with assistance.
• Current CPR certification or ability to obtain within six months of employment.
• Valid North Dakota driver’s license or ability to obtain within 30 days of employment.