Recreation Manager

City and County of Denver • Denver, CO

7d • $101,050 - $125,000 • Onsite

About The Position

Denver Parks and Recreation is seeking a Recreation Manager to play a key role in the operation of recreation centers and program infrastructure throughout the City and County of Denver. This position is an excellent opportunity for an experienced and knowledgeable recreation professional who is passionate about building strong, cohesive teams and delivering high-quality services to the community.
In this role, the Recreation Manager will oversee a section of the Recreation Division, including up to four recreation centers. The position also manages the My Outdoor Colorado coalition work and the Great Outdoors Colorado grant, including contract and fiscal responsibilities. The Recreation Manager works closely with internal DPR teams to advance the Outdoor Adventure/Alternative Sports vision plan and support the operation of DPR’s Adventure Hubs. Responsibilities include developing, implementing, and monitoring work programs aligned with division standards; leading full-time, on-call, and seasonal staff; and supporting the efforts of contractors, volunteers, community collaborators, customers, Denver residents and visitors, City Council, and division partners.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in a related field based on a specific position(s) including Parks and Recreation Management, Business Administration, or another related field.
• Three (3) years of experience at the type and level of functional or operational management, which must have included management of professional individual contributors.
• One (1) year of the appropriate type and level of experience may be substituted for each required year of pos-high school education.
• Additional appropriate education may be substituted for the minimum experience requirements.
• Requires a valid Driver’s License at the time of application.
• Requires certification in CPR and First Aid at the time of application or by the completion of probation.
• Licenses and certifications must be kept current as a condition of employment.

Nice To Haves

• Experience implementing best management practices, procedures, and techniques
• Experience in outdoor recreation programming and risk management
• Experience managing grants
• Experience overseeing recreation equipment, vehicle fleets, and recreation and aquatic facilities in a medium to large municipal system
• Experience managing capital equipment, building operations, and the ability to learn DPR recreation standards
• Experience with capital planning, design, and building operation plans
• Skill in using data analysis to develop return‑on‑investment operational plans
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Experience with systems such as ActiveNet, Jaggaer, Salesforce, Qualtrics, Microsoft applications, and Workday
• Demonstrated expertise in accounts payable, purchase requisitions, and budget management, preferably within local government
• The ability to influence others and hold teams accountable
• A proven record of building and maintaining effective relationships with coworkers, management, vendors, volunteers, collaborators, and contract service providers

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily operations for up to four recreation centers, Adventure Hubs, and associated Outdoor Adventure programs.
• Implement policies, operating procedures, and practices aligned with departmental and city-wide strategies including: DPR’s Mission, Vision, and Values, Game Plan for a Healthy City, Outdoor Adventure/Alternative Sports plan, Parks Legacy Plan.
• Create weekly, monthly, and annual work plans that support recreation standards and strategic goals.
• Review, develop, and adjust work plans, priorities, schedules, and staffing levels to ensure efficient and effective service delivery.
• Support contractors, volunteers, collaborators, and community partners to deliver high‑quality programs.
• Inspect and approve contract work to ensure compliance with specifications.
• Participate in planning efforts including Denver Bond projects, CIP projects, and recreation maintenance initiatives.
• Direct, coach, and mentor recreation supervisors and staff across recreation centers, Adventure Hubs, and Outdoor Adventure programs.
• Ensure staff understand and implement customer service expectations and departmental performance standards.
• Lead staff development initiatives, including training, succession planning, and continuous improvement practices.
• Develop goals, document performance, conduct evaluations, and issue recognition for exceptional performance.
• Provide guidance on complex or unusual assignments and promote teamwork, communication, and innovation.
• Conduct hiring interviews and select candidates for vacancies.
• Review disciplinary actions and respond to formal/informal grievances.
• Represent the department and its initiatives with a strong focus on delivering exceptional customer service.
• Mediate conflicts, resolve issues, and determine appropriate solutions during daily operations.
• Coordinate projects with other city agencies, external partners, and community groups.
• Cultivate community engagement opportunities, events, and communication efforts to expand program reach and participation.
• Handle sensitive public relations issues and maintain positive relationships with community members, vendors, collaborators, and elected officials.
• Oversee My Outdoor Colorado coalition efforts and Great Outdoors Colorado grant management (contract and fiscal oversight).
• Collaborate with internal DPR teams to implement the Outdoor Adventure/Alternative Sports vision plan and support Adventure Hub operations.
• Optimize team performance and achieve KPIs, departmental goals, and strategic objectives.
• Champion innovation, creative problem-solving, and new opportunities to enhance resident and customer experiences.
• Manage operating costs and ensure all budgets remain within approved limits.
• Allocate funds and resources effectively to complete assigned work programs.
• Provide oversight of checkbook reconciliation and monthly expense reporting.
• Maintain compliance with fiscal accountability rules and deadlines.
• Assist with facility inspections, equipment inventory, and management of recreation equipment, vehicle fleets, and capital assets.
• Perform additional tasks as assigned in support of Recreation Division priorities and departmental needs.

Benefits

• A guaranteed life-long monthly pension, once vested after 5 years of service.
• 457B Retirement Plan.
• 140 hours of PTO earned within first year + 11 paid holidays, 1 personal holiday and 1 volunteer day per year.
• Competitive medical, dental and vision plans effective within 1 month of start date.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager