Penn State Job Catalog

Additional levels that exist for this job profile can be seen below.
Missing levels within the leveling matrix can be added based on business need.

The defined natural career progression within or between job profiles.

Recreation Programs

The Recreation Programs Manager provides leadership and oversight for a comprehensive Campus Recreation program area, including program design, business operations, staffing, budget management, and long-range planning; is responsible for establishing program direction, developing innovative recreational offerings, and ensuring alignment with institutional priorities for student engagement, wellness, and community building; develops and evaluates program strategy based on assessment data, directs operational and administrative functions, and ensures compliance with University policies, risk management standards, and applicable regulations; provides leadership and oversight for assigned staff.

• Provide strategic leadership and oversight for assigned Campus Recreation program area(s), including intramural sports, sport clubs, fitness and wellness, outdoor recreation, aquatics, informal recreation, instructional programs, or special events
• Develop program vision, direction, and long-range plans; design and implement engaging recreational offerings such as events, courses, trips, clinics, and participation-based activities
• Assess program effectiveness and participant needs; establish performance metrics, analyze outcomes, and use data to recommend program improvements, enhancements, and new initiatives
• Direct program business operations, including registration processes, participant engagement systems, program promotion strategies, and service delivery models
• Develop, implement, and maintain operating procedures, policies, and action plans to ensure consistency, safety, quality assurance, and compliance with University and regulatory standards
• Oversee program budgeting, including financial planning, forecasting, revenue and expenditure monitoring, and long-term resource allocation
• Prepare and present program proposals, reports, and performance analyses to departmental leadership and campus stakeholders
• Provide leadership and oversight for assigned staff, including hiring coordination, scheduling, workflow management, performance oversight, training, and professional development
• Supervise and develop recreation specialists, student staff, instructors, volunteers, and other assigned personnel; ensure staff performance aligns with program standards and service expectations
• Coordinate with other campus units including facilities, operations, marketing, and business services to ensure effective program delivery and logistical execution
• Secure and manage program resources, including facility space, equipment, vendors, and staffing; evaluate and recommend acquisition of new equipment and resources
• Ensure compliance with University policies, risk management protocols, safety standards, and applicable local, state, and federal regulations
• Develop and implement marketing and communication strategies in collaboration with departmental partners to promote participation and program visibility
• Foster collaborative relationships with campus departments, student organizations, and external partners to support program growth and alignment with institutional priorities
• Represent Campus Recreation on committees, workgroups, and strategic initiatives supporting departmental planning and continuous improvement
• Provide input into departmental strategic planning, resource allocation, and program development priorities
• Ensure programs are delivered in a manner that promotes student engagement, leadership development, inclusion, and overall well-being

Level:

– Principal Manager

Base Description:

– Manages direct reports where primary duty is the management of a working unit.

Level Summary:

– Demonstrates awareness of broad issues and management trends. Applies exemplary management principles. Evaluates impact of policy and adjusts accordingly. Ensures appropriate skills are developed and maintained within team/unit. Realigns staff responsibilities to meet desired changes. Provides administrative and policy direction. Develops and articulates broad goals. Fosters collaboration between units. Engages in written and verbal communications that reach a university-wide and/or broad external audience. Develops and implements solutions to highly complex and often controversial problems.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

– Oversees teams of other supervisors/managers
– Leads a business unit

Fiscal Responsibilities:

– Plans, forecasts, develops, and/or approves budgets
– Typically has final signature authority for business unit

Problem Solving:

– Encounters highly varied and complex problems that may have a significant impact on multiple units and/or the University
– Regularly develops creative and/or novel approaches to resolve the most difficult problems
– Creates an environment that encourages imaginative solutions to problems

Independence of Action:

– Work results are not clearly defined and may be frequently changing
– Sets own goals and determines how to accomplish results with few or no guidelines to follow
– Oversees completed work of others and is accountable for unit results
– Delegates advanced tasks to others and provides guidance to team members

Communication and Collaboration:

– Communicates with both internal and external audiences
– May represent the University externally
– Collaborates closely with team members and other leaders across the University
– Communicates a compelling vision that inspires and motivates others

• Comp Grade – 15
• Minimum – $115,860.00
• MidPoint – $144,804.00
• Maximum – $173,844.00

• Content creation
• Cross-Functional Coordination
• Data Analysis
• Event planning
• Forecasting
• Long range planning
• Policy implementation
• Process design
• Program evaluation
• Program management
• Report writing