Superintendent of Recreation

About the role

Incorporated in 1955 and encompassing more than 454 acres, the Mt. Prospect Park District provides outstanding recreational programs, events, parks, facilities and services. With seven primary facilities and 27 neighborhood parks, the Park District is an integral part of a thriving multi-generational community. District open space includes two outdoor pools, biking and walking paths, a dog park and sizable space for outdoor athletic programming. The District covers over 11 square miles and serves a region of over a quarter million residents in Mount Prospect and surrounding communities. The Mt. Prospect Park District is a proud recipient of the 2026 Illinois Parks and Recreation Association Exceptional Workplace Award.

We are searching for a full-time, exempt Superintendent of Recreation for our collaborative Recreation team. Reporting directly to the Director of Recreation, the Superintendent of Recreation is responsible for developing, managing, and promoting the District's Aquatics, Athletics, and Fitness departments. Responsibilities include facilities, programming, budgeting, capital improvements, registration procedures, purchasing equipment and supplies, rentals, managerial duties, special events, risk management and administrative duties. Additionally, the Superintendent of Recreation directs and supervises Aquatics, Athletics, Fitness, and RecPlex Department personnel (full-time, part-time/IMRF and part-time) and is responsible for recruiting, hiring, training and evaluating staff. The full-time Superintendent of Recreation must hold a valid driver's license and be able to successfully pass a criminal background check and pre-employment physical with a drug screen.

Responsibilities

Essential Duties

• Provide leadership, oversight, and strategic direction for RecPlex facility operations, Aquatics, Athletics, and Fitness, ensuring programs, services, and facilities align with the Park District's mission, strategic goals, and community needs.
• Provide direct supervision, leadership, and professional development for the full-time RecPlex Facility Supervisor, Athletics Supervisor, Aquatics Manager, and Fitness Supervisor.
• Establish departmental goals, expectations, and performance standards. Conduct regular meetings with direct reports to review progress, address operational challenges, support professional development, and ensure accountability.
• Oversee the financial performance of RecPlex, Aquatics, Athletics, and Fitness, including operating and capital budgets, revenue and expense monitoring, purchasing practices, cost recovery, and adherence to approved budgetary guidelines.
• Lead the development of annual operating budgets, capital improvement requests, and long-range financial plans for assigned facilities and departments.
• Recommend adjustments to staffing, fees, programming, and operations based on financial performance and community needs.
• Monitor and evaluate department performance through regular review of admissions, memberships, program registrations, participation, attendance, revenue, expenses, customer feedback, and other key performance indicators. Prepare recommendations to improve efficiency, service delivery, and financial sustainability.
• Provide oversight of RecPlex facility operations through the RecPlex Facility Supervisor, including facility scheduling, customer service, rentals, building operations, staffing, hours of operation, fee collection, maintenance coordination, and daily operational procedures.
• Provide oversight of aquatics operations through the Aquatics Manager, including indoor and outdoor pool operations, aquatic programming, lessons, rentals, special events, staffing, safety procedures, regulatory compliance, and facility readiness.
• Provide oversight of athletics operations through the Athletics Supervisor, RecPlex Facility Supervisor and Fitness Supervisor, including youth and adult sports programming, leagues, tournaments, rentals, athletic special events, instructor coordination, and relationships with coaches, parents, participants, and affiliate organizations.
• Provide oversight of fitness operations through the Fitness Supervisor, including fitness memberships, group exercise, personal training, fitness services, special events, equipment needs, and member engagement and retention initiatives.
• Ensure supervisors and managers develop, maintain, and implement appropriate operating procedures, staffing plans, schedules, training programs, service standards, and performance evaluation processes for their respective areas.
• Support the recruitment, selection, onboarding, training, development, and retention of full-time and part-time employees. Ensure hiring and employment practices comply with Park District policies and procedures.
• Ensure appropriate systems are in place to monitor part-time employee hours and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Provide departmental oversight of risk management, emergency preparedness, and safety practices. Ensure appropriate procedures are established and maintained for facility inspections, incident reporting, emergency response, equipment safety, and regulatory compliance.
• Coordinate with the Safety Coordinator to support CPR, First Aid, AED, lifeguard certification, and other required employee training and safety initiatives.
• Ensure assigned facilities and programs comply with applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulatory requirements, and Park District policies.
• Collaborate with the Director of Recreation, other department superintendents, Buildings and Grounds, Parks and Planning, Human Resources, Risk Management, and other internal departments to coordinate facility needs, resolve operational issues, and support District-wide initiatives.
• Develop, recommend, and participate in short- and long-term strategic planning for RecPlex, Aquatics, Athletics, and Fitness, including facility improvements, program expansion, operational enhancements, and emerging recreation trends.
• Evaluate existing programs and services and identify opportunities for innovation, improved customer experience, increased participation, and expanded community access. Use community feedback, participation data, industry research, and best practices to guide recommendations.
• Oversee the development and implementation of marketing, promotional, signage, and communication initiatives for assigned facilities and programs in coordination with the Community Relations and Marketing Department. Ensure program and facility information is accurate and current across the Park District's brochure, website, registration systems, and other communication channels.
• Develop and maintain relationships with community organizations, athletic affiliates, coaches, vendors, contractors, professional associations, and other stakeholders to strengthen partnerships and enhance recreation opportunities.
• Provide oversight of contracted services and vendor relationships associated with assigned facilities and departments, including vending services, equipment providers, instructors, and other contracted partners.
• Prepare and present regular departmental updates, monthly Board reports, budget information, operational assessments, and recommendations for the Director of Recreation, Executive Director and Board of Commissioners, as requested.
• Establish and maintain systems for collecting, reviewing, and analyzing participant and customer feedback. Use findings to recommend service improvements and monitor the effectiveness of implemented changes.
• Ensure standard operating procedures, manuals, guidelines, inventories, and other departmental records are maintained and reviewed regularly by the appropriate supervisory staff.
• Organize, attend, and provide leadership for athletic advisory committee meetings, coach and parent seminars, and other community engagement opportunities as needed.
• Remain current with industry standards, emerging trends, and professional best practices in facility management, aquatics, athletics, fitness, recreation programming, customer service, and risk management.
• Provide responsive, professional customer service and address escalated patron concerns, operational issues, and sensitive situations that require supervisory or departmental leadership.
• Possess reliable personal transportation for travel between District facilities and parks.

Secondary Duties

• Serve on the Safety Committee and other committees as assigned by the Director of Recreation.
• Provide input for risk management, safety, security plans, policies and procedures.
• Perform additional duties as assigned which may be considered essential.
• Perform all other duties as assigned by the Director of Recreation, and/or the Executive Director. However, in an emergency perform all duties as required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Recreation Administration/Leisure Studies or a related field.
• CPRP preferred.
• 5+ years of supervisory experience in the recreation industry including previous experience in aquatics, athletics, and fitness program management with a demonstrated understanding of operations.
• Previous experience managing full-time recreation staff is preferred.
• Evidence of strong management, leadership, organizational, and communication skills.
• Must possess sound budgetary skills and demonstrate understanding of financial functions of facilities and recreational programming.
• Must possess thorough knowledge of the principles, practices and application of lifesaving and first aid techniques.
• Must possess and maintain a current American Red Cross Lifeguard Certification or be able to obtain and maintain certification within the first 6 months of employment.
• Must be CPR/AED certified or become CPR/AED certified within 1 month of employment.
• Must hold and maintain a valid driver's license as travel between District facilities and parks is required.
• Must be proficient in MS Office, Google Workspace, database software, and internet and website portals.
• Strong oral and written communication skills are required. Must be able to communicate effectively with others to allow for coordination of work, safety and in emergency situations as needed.
• Must possess a high level of energy, social skills, initiative and enthusiasm.
• Must be able to work cooperatively with others and maintain effective relationships with fellow employees, patrons, community groups and other units of local government.
• Must be able to maintain self-control and composure in difficult situations.
• Must be able to proactively troubles