Recreation manager

Recreation managers plan, organise, promote, provide and develop leisure and recreational facilities. Responsibility may be for one, or a number of facilities.

Also known as:

• Duty manager
• Entertainments manager
• Leisure manager
• Sports manager

Work activities

Recreation managers may be responsible for any one of a range of different facilities, including leisure centres, theme parks, bingo clubs or historic buildings. Duties, responsibilities and skills are similar, although managers usually choose a field of work according to their personal interests, academic background and experience. The work of a manager is likely to include:

• Staff supervision.
• Financial and budgetary management.
• Policy making and development planning.
• Handling any problems that arise on a day-to-day basis.

The duties of any individual depend on the size and structure of the employing organisation and the manager’s level of seniority. For example, in local authorities, the recreation manager’s role is to implement decisions that have been made at city or council level. Therefore, they might oversee the development of a new sports complex, think of a new activity or improve existing services. Facilities and special events such as exhibitions, sports tournaments, play schemes and concerts need to be publicised. This can involve arranging for the production, printing and distribution of leaflets and posters arranging for adverts to appear in the press visiting schools and community groups to give talks.

Some managers undertake market research to find out what current users want and to attract new users. The daily running of any leisure facility needs careful organisation. Managers are responsible for personnel matters such as recruitment, training, staff rotas, catering facilities and the maintenance of any equipment and buildings. They are also responsible for the health and safety management of their facilities. Those responsible for countryside areas and historic properties have fewer visitors during the winter and use this time for forward planning, conservation work, revising written information and reorganising displays.

Personal qualities and skills

To be an effective manager, you should have:

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Organisational skills to manage human and physical resources.
• Strong time-management skills.
• Strong presentation and negotiating skills.
• Good general number skills.
• Good IT skills

You will need to be able to:

• Analyse problems and make decisions.
• Think strategically.
• Delegate.
• Set personal and organisational goals, prioritise tasks and work to deadlines.
• Set and manage budgets.
• Understand, and perhaps write, financial reports.

Pay and opportunities

Recreation managers earn in the range of £18,000, rising to £37,000 with experience. Commercial employers may offer salaries made up of basic pay plus performance bonuses.

Recreation managers usually work a basic 39-41-hour week. However, late finishes, weekend work and work on public holidays is often required.

Opportunities for recreation managers occur throughout the UK. Employers include local authorities, commercial organisations, charities and government funded organisations such as English Heritage.

Where are vacancies advertised?

Vacancies are advertised:

• In local/national newspapers and on their websites.
• On job boards such Leisure Opportunities.
• On employers’ websites.
• On the Government’s Find a Job service.

Entry routes and training

This career can be entered after completing a relevant degree, foundation degree or HNC/HND in leisure and recreation management. Courses in business studies with options in leisure/recreational management are offered by several institutions.

Postgraduate courses are also available. However, it is also useful to have gained experience of work in lower-level positions. In some organisations, it’s possible to enter at a lower level and work your way up to a management position. If you want to work specifically in leisure, a level 3 (advanced) apprenticeship in the role of leisure duty manager is available.

Entry as a trainee manager involves training on-the-job with part-time study towards relevant qualifications. Fully qualified managers can take short courses in specific areas, to help further their development.

Progression can be to higher management positions, such as area or divisional manager, for example.

Qualifications

For entry to a degree course in leisure/recreation management, the usual requirement is:

• Two A-levels.
• GCSEs (grades 9-4) in three other subjects, including English and maths.

Other qualifications, such as an Edexcel (BTEC) Level 3 National qualification or the International Baccalaureate Diploma could also be considered. Entry requirements for degree courses vary so check prospectuses carefully.

If you wish to enter this career path through an advanced apprenticeship, you'll need GCSEs in English and maths, although you may be able to complete these alongside your apprenticeship programme.

Adult opportunities

Age limits: It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

If you don’t have the qualifications needed to enter your chosen degree or HND course, a college or university Access course (e.g., Access to Business) could be the way in. No formal qualifications are usually required, but you should check individual course details.

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