Career Overview
Plan, direct, or coordinate entertainment and recreational activities and operations of a recreational facility, including cruise ships and parks.
Also Known As
- Events Manager
- Golf Course Manager
- Recreation Director
- Recreation Superintendent
Alternate Job Titles
- Activities Manager
- Amusement Park Manager
- Aquatics Director
- Aquatics Manager
- Boat Club Manager
- Camp and Recreation Manager
- Camp Director
- Club Director
- Club Manager
- Entertainment and Recreation GM (Entertainment and Recreation General Manager)
- Entertainment and Recreation Manager
- Entertainment and Recreation Operations Manager (Entertainment and Recreation Ops Manager)
- Entertainment and Recreation Planning Manager
- Entertainment and Recreation PM (Entertainment and Recreation Project Manager)
- Entertainment and Recreation Program Manager
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- Plan, organize, or lead group activities for customers, such as exercise routines, athletic events, or arts and crafts.
- Plan programs of events or schedules of activities.
- Talk to coworkers using electronic devices, such as computers and radios.
- Write budgets to plan recreational activities or programs.
- Interview and hire associates to fill staff vacancies.
- Calculate and record department expenses and revenue.
- Talk to customers to convey information about events or activities.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Customer and Personal Service
- Education and Training
- English Language
- Administration and Management
- Computers and Electronics
Essential Skills
Success in this career requires strong skills in:
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Reading Comprehension
- Critical Thinking
- Social Perceptiveness
- Coordination
- Service Orientation
- Writing
- Judgment and Decision Making
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Oral Expression
- Oral Comprehension
- Speech Recognition
- Speech Clarity
- Written Expression
- Problem Sensitivity
- Written Comprehension
- Fluency of Ideas
- Near Vision
- Deductive Reasoning
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Dependability
- Social Orientation
- Leadership Orientation
- Cooperation
- Optimism
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: Bachelor's Degree
Related Work Experience Needed: Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years
On-the-Job Training: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year
Education Details: Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Experience Required: A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- Adobe Acrobat
- Apple macOS
- Atlassian Confluence
- Cisco Webex
- Google Docs
- HubSpot software
- IBM SPSS Statistics
- Intuit QuickBooks
- Linux
Work Environment
- Deal With External Customers or the Public in General
- Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
Salary & Job Market
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $45,320 |
| Median | $77,180 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $134,680 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 36,700
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Recreation Workers
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $35,380
Fitness and Wellness Coordinators
Education: Master's Degree
Median Salary: $61,340
Recreational Therapists
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $60,280
Park Naturalists
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $67,950
General and Operations Managers
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $102,950
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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.