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:

– Manager

Base Description:

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

Level Summary:

– Demonstrates proficient ability in work design, project management, financial planning and development of goals for accomplishing unit assignments. Reviews and guides work to ensure conformity to policy and effective approaches. Evaluates employee performance and recommend development opportunities. Demonstrates ability to coach employees. Presents and communicates key university indicatives and connects it to unit contributions. Provides broad guidelines. Develops, evaluates, enhances, and/or implements quality improvement practices. Recommends innovative solutions.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

– Oversees a team (typically 4 or more; no fewer than 2) full
– time direct reports of individual contributors and/or first level supervisors.

Fiscal Responsibilities:

– Monitors and tracks department/area budget
– May plan, forecast, and/or assist in developing budgets
– May have final signature authority for specific area

Problem Solving:

– Encounters varied and complex problems
– Helps to develop creative and/or novel approaches to resolve problems that are difficult in nature but within limited scope
– Modifies, adapts, or refines guidelines if necessary to resolve issues or problems

Independence of Action:

– Works independently on complex or strategic assignments
– Uses existing practices and advanced working knowledge to determine appropriate work methods for the team
– Reviews completed work of others for conformity to policy, and effectiveness of approach
– Delegates advanced tasks to others

Communication and Collaboration:

– Communicates with both internal and external audiences
– Collaborates closely with team members and various areas across the University
– Prepares written and/or verbal presentations or proposals on complex issues and delivers to a broad variety of audiences
– Communicates key university initiatives and how unit’s work contributes to their achievement
– Presents ideas, concepts and instructions in a clear manner, and uses persuasion and negotiation to build consensus and cooperation
– Establishes and maintains networks to facilitate successful communication among units

• Comp Grade – 11
• Minimum – $72,300.00
• MidPoint – $90,312.00
• Maximum – $108,444.00

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