Sports and Fitness Manager

Build Inc; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

BUILD, Inc. is seeking a Sports and Fitness Manager to lead community-driven sports and fitness programming focused on wellness and personal growth. This full-time role involves overseeing programs, recruiting partnerships, and coordinating events that engage youth, adults, and families. The successful candidate will have a Bachelor's degree and a strong commitment to youth development.

Benefits

401(k) plan + 2% match

Medical, Dental and Vision

Life Insurance

Paid Vacation

Wellness Days

Flexible Spending Accounts

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years experience with managing youth programming.
• Proven track record of supervising staff and managing program operations.
• Passion for sports as a vehicle for holistic wellness and community development.

Responsibilities

• Design, launch, and oversee various sports programs.
• Recruit, onboard, and manage relationships with community sports organizations.
• Plan and execute sports events and leagues.

Skills

Youth Mentoring

Communication

Conflict Resolution

Team Collaboration

Event Coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree in Sports Management

Kinesiology

Youth Development

Job description

Description

Sports and Fitness Manager (SFM) (Full-time, 40 hours)

BUILD, Inc. (Broader Urban Involvement and Leadership Development) is presently seeking a committed, self-motivated, and innovative individual to join our team. BUILD is a nationally respected gang intervention, violence prevention, and youth development organization based on Chicago’s West Side. Since 1969, BUILD has worked to save lives and mentor young people who live in the city’s most challenged neighborhoods. When you work at BUILD you make an important difference to the thousands of youths and families we serve.

Our Core Values: Empathy, Passion, Persistence, and Innovation.

At BUILD, our services are collectively aimed at helping our clients connect, overcome, and thrive. The Sports & Fitness Manager (SFM) leads BUILD’s efforts to create dynamic, community-driven sports and fitness programming for youth, adults, and families on Chicago’s westside. With a strong emphasis on sports as a tool for personal growth and community building, the (SFM) works closely with internal teams and external partners to deliver high-quality activities that promote wellness, teamwork, and skill development. The (SFM) oversees a diverse menu of sports and fitness offerings, recruits and manages partnerships with community-based organizations and coaches and coordinates special events such as the Donna Dudley Summer Softball Peace League. This role requires an energetic leader who can inspire participation, foster collaboration, and develop innovative programs that highlight the power of sports to transform lives. The (SFM) reports directly to the Director of Enrichment (DE).

Key Responsibilities:

Program Development and Implementation:

• Design, launch, and oversee a variety of sports programs, including leagues, clinics, and recreational activities, that cater to youth, adults, and families.
• Develop fitness initiatives such as group exercise classes, wellness workshops, and physical activity challenges to complement sports programming.
• Integrate life skills, leadership development, and team-building into sports activities to maximize participant growth.
• Collaborate with BUILD’s Enrichment Team and external partners to ensure programming aligns with BUILD’s mission and community needs.

Partnerships and Recruitment:

• Recruit, onboard, and maintain relationships with community sports organizations, local leagues, and independent coaches.
• Identify new opportunities to collaborate with schools, athletic associations, and fitness experts to expand program offerings.
• Serve as the primary liaison with external partners, ensuring smooth coordination of services and alignment with BUILD’s standards.

Event Coordination:

• Plan and execute sports events and leagues, such as the Donna Dudley Softball League, ensuring wide community participation and high-quality experiences.
• Organize one-day clinics, tournaments, and family-friendly fitness events that engage the broader community.
• Oversee logistics, marketing, and participant recruitment for all events.

Staff Supervision:

• Recruit, train, and supervise sports and fitness specialists, ensuring effective program delivery and participant engagement.
• Provide ongoing coaching, feedback, and professional development opportunities for staff.
• Support team members with strategies for youth engagement and managing challenging behaviors during activities.

Program Evaluation and Compliance:

• Establish clear goals and metrics to evaluate the impact of sports and fitness programs.
• Collect and analyze data to inform program improvements and report outcomes to stakeholders.
• Ensure all programs adhere to grant requirements and BUILD’s performance standards.

Budget and Resource Management:

• Develop and manage budgets for sports and fitness programming, ensuring resources are allocated effectively.
• Oversee the purchase, maintenance, and distribution of sports equipment and facility usage.
• Work with partners and sponsors to secure additional resources and funding for sports initiatives.

Requirements

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Must be an excellent role-model, passionate about youth mentoring, and able to establish healthy relationships with young people.
• Ability to effectively communicate and build relationships with a wide variety of constituents including youth, parents, community partners, teachers, and school leaders.
• Demonstrated commitment to working on a team and engaging in collaborative problem solving to meet the needs of a diverse community.
• Skilled at conflict resolution and able to successfully intervene in challenging situations.
• Familiarity with restorative justice practices and trauma-informed services.
• Demonstrates energy, enthusiasm, and interest in supporting the organization’s mission.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Sports Management, Kinesiology, Youth Development or a related field.
• Minimum of 3 years experience with managing youth programming
• Experience running sports programs, leagues, or fitness initiatives.
• Experience developing youth curriculum and lesson plans.
• Proven track record of supervising staff and managing program operations.
• Exceptional organizational and project management skills.
• Ability to build relationships with diverse stakeholders, including youth, families, community partners, and sponsors.
• Passion for sports as a vehicle for holistic wellness and community development.
• Flexibility to work evenings and weekends as needed.

Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to move from sitting to standing multiple times per day.
• Prolonged periods of physical activity, including setting up equipment and participating in sports activities.
• Must be able to lift up to 25 pounds at times.

Benefits:

• 401(k) plan + 2% match
• Medical, Dental and Vision
• Life Insurance
• Paid Vacation
• Wellness Days
• Flexible Spending Accounts

BUILD, Inc., does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, citizenship, ethnic or national origin, age, disability, medical status, military status, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, ancestry, or any legally protected status. This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits and training.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically prohibit employment. Rather, BUILD Inc., considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

American with Disabilities Act (ADA) Statement: External and internal applicants, as well as position incumbents who become disabled, must be able to perform the essential job specific functions (listed within each job responsibility) either unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation to be determined by the organization on a case-by-case basis.

This organization reserves the right to revise or change job duties and responsibilities as the need arises. This job description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment