RecSports Ministry Director (North)

Emerald Youth Foundation•Knoxville, TN

About The Position

The RecSports Ministry Director develops, plans, and manages neighborhood recreation programs for Emerald Youth Foundation and connects neighborhood participants to city-wide sports teams and leagues. The role recruits children and youth for recreational, high-adventure, and organized sports programs, and recruits neighborhood coaches and volunteers. It also serves as the liaison for the urban Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) ministry in the neighborhood. The position helps Emerald Youth engage the community and advance day-to-day recreational and sports ministry so young people can become comprehensively engaged in faith, learning, and health activities and achieve critical youth development outcomes. The director works with Emerald Youth staff, schools, families, coaches, volunteers, and community partners to deliver activities and sports programs. The role includes team and budget management, participant and outcome tracking, safety oversight, communication, and coordination with FCA and other community sports programs. The position may require work outside the normal schedule and obtaining a CDL with a passenger endorsement to drive large vehicles or buses as needed.

Requirements

Dedicated Christian with clear knowledge of the Gospel, passion for Emerald Youth Foundation’s mission, and connection to a church community.
Strong reputation for honesty, integrity, and high moral standards.
Three to five years of experience in a similar role.
Experience managing people.
Proficiency in using technology for management reporting and communication.
Excellent written and oral communication skills and business acumen.
Ability to achieve results under pressure and meet deadlines.
Good driving record.
Ability and willingness to obtain a CDL with a P endorsement and drive large vehicles or buses.
Willingness to work extended hours.
Ability to work efficiently in a collaborative setting.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in Sports Management or a related field.
Experience as a collegiate athlete.
Experience working in business or nonprofit management.

Responsibilities

Plan and implement recreational activities for neighborhood youth, including activities such as biking, hiking, field days, kayaking, and other sports and recreation.
Recruit neighborhood participants into Emerald Youth middle school and city-wide sports programs; attend tryouts, evaluations, and organizing events, and visit teams during the season.
Assist City-Wide Sports staff with teams for assigned middle schools, including recruiting players and coaches, collecting fees, distributing uniforms, organizing teams, and coordinating parent meetings and celebrations.
Work with assigned schools to support the organization of sports teams.
Oversee neighborhood competitive sports teams, working with coaches to assemble and train teams, participate in competitive leagues, and support long-term engagement.
Coordinate or arrange transportation for sporting events and ensure safety guidelines and procedures are followed.
Support recreational activities in Emerald Youth afterschool and summer programs as assigned.
Connect participants with other Emerald Youth programs and partner organizations, identify barriers to comprehensive engagement, and work collaboratively to address them.
Build relationships that encourage family engagement and connect family members with recreational offerings.
Identify coaches, volunteers, and FCA chaplains; coordinate with HR to ensure background screenings and participation tracking are completed.
Encourage local volunteering and employment, spiritual disciplines, high standards, discipleship, and role modeling of Christian teachings.
Serve as the neighborhood liaison for the urban FCA partnership, develop huddles at identified schools, and ensure coaches and chaplains are trained in and use FCA curriculum.
Coordinate with program development to align FCA and Emerald Youth themes and values.
Uphold the Emerald Sports Philosophy.
Coordinate with communications staff to promote programs and maintain consistent, compliant branding, including team, uniform, and applicable FCA branding; help develop participant and coach recruitment materials.
Manage sports and recreation budgets for the assigned area, ensure compliance with organizational policies and spending authority, and submit budget recommendations as required.
Track and report participation, BMI, and outcome data; provide measurements and prepare and analyze reports to develop improvement plans.
Implement and enforce safety rules, regulations, and procedures for participants and volunteers.
Participate in area ministry network and organizational events and internal and external sports meetings, including work outside the normal schedule as needed; support network activities such as camps.
Obtain a CDL and drive large vehicles or buses as needed.
Serve as liaison with other community sports programs as assigned by the Director of Area Ministry.
Deliver effective and timely communication and ensure staff do the same.
Manage additional assigned projects and tasks and participate in assigned groups or committees.