Salary: $63,800.00 - $102,200.00 Annually
Location : Sports Complex - 875 Sports Way, Elgin, IL
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number:
Department: Parks and Recreation
Division: Sports Complex
Opening Date: 08/26/2026
Closing Date: 9/16/2026 11:59 PM Central

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Athletic Manager provides comprehensive leadership and oversight of the Athletic Division, including athletic programs, leagues, events, facilities, financial operations, and staff. The position directly supervises two full-time Athletic Supervisors and oversees part-time and seasonal personnel.
The position is responsible for strategic planning, program development, facility and business operations, fiscal management, staff development, community partnerships, safety, and customer service. The Athletic Manager balances long-term planning with day-to-day operational leadership and works to enhance athletic offerings, improve facilities and services, and strengthen community partnerships.

The role requires a dynamic, hands-on leader who remains engaged at all levels of service delivery. When necessary, the Athletic Manager provides direct program or facility support, including instructing or supervising programs when staffing gaps arise, to maintain continuity of service, safety, and a positive customer experience.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Leadership and Planning
• Develop and implement short and long-term strategic and business plans for athletic programs, leagues, facilities, The Centre and the Sports Complex, including revenue generation, cost recovery, growth, and facility enhancement strategies.
• Analyze participation trends, demographics, community needs, and industry best practices to guide program development, redevelopment, expansion, and enhancement.
• Identify opportunities for innovation, continuous improvement, new programs, tournaments, partnerships, and facility enhancements that advance departmental goals and respond to evolving community needs.

Program Management
• Assist with the planning, implementation, operation, and evaluation of a comprehensive portfolio of athletic programs, including youth and adult leagues, instructional classes, clinics, open gym and
drop-in activities, camps, seasonal programs, tournaments, and in-house and contractual programming.
• Ensure programs are inclusive, accessible, equitable, and responsive to the diverse needs and interests of the community.
• Establish program standards, curricula, procedures, schedules, staffing plans, equipment needs, and facility requirements to ensure consistent, high-quality service delivery.
• Evaluate program effectiveness using participation data, customer feedback, financial performance, and other relevant measures.

Sports Complex and Facility Operations
• Oversee daily operations of the Sports Complex, The Centre, and other athletic facilities, including fields, courts, indoor spaces, and support amenities, and develop facility use schedules that maximize efficiency and community access.
• Coordinate with maintenance staff and service providers to ensure facilities are safe, clean, operational, and properly maintained.
• Participate in long-range planning for capital improvements, renovations, and new facility development.
• Assist with managing vendor relationships, contracts, use agreements, and service arrangements related to athletic operations.
• Ensure facilities and operations comply with applicable safety, accessibility, risk management, and regulatory requirements.

Financial and Business Management
• Assist with developing, administering, and monitoring athletic program and facility budgets, including revenue and expenditure tracking, financial forecasting, cost recovery, and performance analysis.
• Develop and maintain a business plan for the Elgin Sports Complex that provides an operational roadmap and guides future facility use, development, and resource needs.
• Establish pricing strategies, fee structures, and business practices that support financial sustainability and community access.
• Identify and pursue alternative revenue sources, including sponsorships, partnerships, grants, and tournaments.
• Prepare financial reports and recommendations and ensure fiscal accountability, responsible stewardship of public resources, and compliance with organizational financial policies.

Staff Supervision and Workforce Development
• Recruit, hire, train, schedule, supervise, and evaluate full-time staff, as well as assist with part-time, and seasonal staff, in accordance with departmental policies and operational needs.
• Establish appropriate staffing levels, schedules, and contingency plans to ensure effective program and facility coverage.
• Foster a collaborative, accountable, and high-performing team through ongoing training, coaching, performance management, and professional development.
• Address performance concerns and implement corrective actions when necessary.
• Foster a collaborative, accountable, and high-performing team through ongoing training, coaching, performance management, and professional development, while modeling professionalism, integrity, and ethical conduct.

Operational and Frontline Support
• Provide hands-on leadership and support for programs, leagues, tournaments, special events, and facility operations, including troubleshooting operational issues and addressing staffing gaps as needed.
• When the Athletic Supervisors are not available, step into frontline roles, as needed, for officiating, supervising leagues or open gym sessions, leading or substituting instructional programs, and assisting with event setup, teardown, and coordination.
• Maintain a visible and approachable presence within facilities and programs, demonstrate flexibility in responding to operational needs, and promote exceptional customer service and positive participant experiences.

Community Engagement and Partnerships
• Develop and maintain partnerships with the Elgin Area Convention & Visitors Bureau (EACVB), schools, athletic organizations, community groups, local businesses, and other stakeholders to expand athletic opportunities and tournament activity.
• Manage relationships and agreements with athletic affiliate groups, including programs, facility use, grant applications, and related requirements.
• Serve as liaison to the Elgin Sports Hall of Fame, advisory boards, user groups, and other community or governing bodies, as assigned.
• Address community feedback, concerns, and requests professionally and promote programs and events through outreach and relationship-building.

Marketing and Program Promotion
• Collaborate with department staff to develop and implement marketing and promotional strategies for athletic programs, facilities, tournaments, and events, and coordinate distribution with external partners, as appropriate.
• Use participation data, community trends, digital platforms, and other available resources to support effective outreach and increase participation.

Risk Management and Compliance
• Oversee incident reporting, emergency response procedures, staff certifications, waivers, and required program and facility documentation.
• Ensure programs and operations comply with applicable departmental policies, accessibility requirements, and local, state, and federal regulations.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
• Comprehensive knowledge of athletic programs, leagues, and facility management.
• Strong leadership, organizational, decision-making, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to develop strategic plans while effectively managing day-to-day operations and multiple priorities.
• Advanced budgeting, financial management, and analytical skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, customer service, and conflict resolution skills.
• Ability to build effective community partnerships and relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Proficiency in recreation management software, registration systems, and scheduling platforms.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
• Bachelor's degree in Parks and Recreation Management, Sports Management, Business Administration, or a related field or equivalent combination of education and progressively responsible recreation experience.
• Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in athletic or recreation program management and a minimum of two (2) years in a supervisory or leadership role.
• Experience managing sports facilities, leagues, and staff teams.
• Demonstrated experience in budgeting, program development, and operations.
• First Aid, CPR, and AED certification required, may obtain within six months or hiring, Department provided.
• Valid driver's license.
• Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP) or equivalent preferred.
Vacation

• 1 to 5 years of service - 2 weeks
• 6 to 10 years of service - 3 weeks
• 11 to 21 years of service - 4 weeks
• 22 or more years of service - 5 weeks

The city manager, in the city manager's discretion, may also include up to eleven (11) years of non-City of Elgin prior professional or supervisory service of an employee in the same or similar field in determining years of service of an employee for the purpose of vacation at initial hire. If an employee is granted vacation accrual in a higher range than one (1) to five (5) years of service, he or she shall not advance to the next range until he or she has attained the required number of years of service with the city for such range.

The accumulation of vacation leave shall be limited as provided by Ordinance No. S11-09, as amended.

Sick Leave - Fifteen (15) days (in 12-hour increments for Fire shift personnel) will be placed on account when commencing employment, plus annual accrual of one day (8 hours) per month. Employees may accumulate sick leave up to a total maximum accrual of 241 sick days, which is the equivalent of 1928 hours of sick leave.

Life Insurance - in an amount equal to the nearest $1,000 of the employee's annual base salary.

Holidays - New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, the day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year's Eve.

• Fire shift personnel shall receive additional pay for hours actually worked on holidays at a straight-time rate. Twelve (12) hours of personal time off for each holiday which falls on a scheduled day off as well as for each of any undesignated holidays shall also be received by fire shift personnel.
• Police shift will additionally receive President's Day, Easter Sunday, Columbus Day, and Veteran's Day. Police shift personnel will receive additional eight (8) hours holiday pay at their straight-time hourly rate whether the holiday is worked or not.
• Public Safety Communications Shift Supervisors - Public safety communications shift supervisors who are scheduled to and actually work on a holiday shall receive one hour of holiday pay at his or her straight time hourly rate of pay for each hour actually worked on a holiday not to exceed twelve hours of holiday pay for a holiday. A telecommunications supervisor who does not work the holiday will receive eight hours of holiday pay at his or her straight time hourly rate of pay.

Personal Days - Three (3) personal days shall be provided per year but not including Fire shift personnel. Employees commencing employment between January 1 and June 30 in a year shall receive all three (3) personal days for such year. Employees commencing employment between July 1 and December 31 in a year shall receive one (1) personal day for such year. Employees in the Public Safety Communications Shift Supervisor position that are assigned to a 12-hour work day shall instead receive 36 hours of personal time if they commence employment between January 1 and June 30 in a year and 12 hours of personal time if commencing employment between July 1 and December 31 for such year.

Longevity Pay - Effective March 14, 2010, employees hired prior to January 1, 2010, shall receive as additional earnings annual longevity pay in the amount of an additional 4% of the employee's annual salary. Longevity pay shall be paid to employees in installments with each payroll. Employees hired on or after March 1, 2010, shall not be eligible for or receive longevity pay.

Sick Leave Conversion

Sworn Police Management - Sworn police management employees may accumulate sick leave up to a total maximum accrual of 241 sick days, which is equivalent to a maximum of 1,928 hours of sick leave time. In recognition of non-use of sick leave time, police management employees shall be eligible for a severance sick leave conversion payment upon separation from employment. Such severance payment shall be equivalent to twenty-five percent (25%) of the value of the employee's accumulated and unused sick leave as of the effective date of the employee's separation from employment and shall be paid to the employee in a lump sum, minus any applicable deductions. For the purposes of this section, the employee's hourly wage shall be equivalent to the employee's hourly wage rate inclusive of annual longevity pay paid to the employee, if any.

IMRF Employees - Upon retirement or leaving city employment in good standing, general employees may be eligible to convert accrued sick leave for severance pay. Employees with accrued sick leave of more than 720 hours may convert up to a maximum of 480 hours of sick leave for severance pay, provided the remaining balance of accrued sick leave does not total less than 720 hours. Such conversion shall be at the rate of 24 hours of sick leave for eight hours of severance pay, not to exceed 160 hours of severance pay.

Accrued sick leave applied by an employee for IMRF service credit shall not be eligible for sick leave conversion for severance pay. The provisions of this section s