Sports Manager

*Position Open Until Filled, with First Review of Applications on 4/3/2026.*

Applications must include a resume and cover letter articulating how your experience and skills make you the ideal candidate for this role.

Sport Changes Lives. Come Lead the Team That Makes It Happen.

At CARD, we believe sport is about more than winning. It is about belonging — the kid who discovers they love the game, the adult league that becomes a social anchor, the skate park where a teenager finds their people. Sports is one of the most powerful ways we deliver on our promise to build confidence, connection, and community in Chico.

Why This Role is Different:

• Build a culture, not just programs: CARD sports are for everyone. You will set the tone that makes that real, from program design to how staff and officials show up every night
• Shape what comes next: New fields, a bike park, and additional facilities are on the horizon. You will help shape these spaces and lead the work of activating them with programming that serves the whole community
• Unify the sports identity: The philosophy that makes CARD Youth Sports special — life skills, sportsmanship, love of the game — will expand under your leadership across adult and action sports
• Develop the team: You will build organizational depth and create a division that gets stronger every season
• Grow professionally: CARD is committed to the development of its leaders through continuing education, industry connections, and organizational support

Schedule:

• Exempt, 40hrs per week
• Schedule reflects program operations; On-call responsibilities for site-level emergencies
• Work is performed across school campuses, community sites, and CARD facilities. Primary work location is CARD Community Center, 545 Vallombrosa Avenue.
• Travel required between multiple school and program sites

Key Responsibilities:

The Sports Manager provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for all CARD sports programming, including youth sports (leagues, clinics, camps, and tournaments), adult sports (recreational leagues and tournaments), and action sports (skate park and bike park programming and events).

The Sports Manager is responsible for elevating the quality, accessibility, and culture of sports programming across all ages and disciplines, ensuring every participant experiences sports the way CARD intends: safe, inclusive, well-managed, and fun. This position demands strong leadership and management capability, a consistent and accountable approach to program delivery, and a genuine commitment to upholding a high standard of public-facing customer service. The Sports Manager supervises a tiered team of professional staff, carries overall responsibility for a large seasonal workforce across multiple programs and sites, and collaborates actively across departments to deliver a seamless recreation experience for the Chico community.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Planning and Program Development

• Develop and implement strategic plans for sports programming aligned with CARD's mission, community growth, and the goal of accessible, high-quality sports for all
• Establish a unified sports culture and participant experience philosophy across youth, adult, and action sports
• Lead new program launches and identify expansion opportunities based on community needs and gaps in access
• Contribute sports expertise to the planning and development of new facilities, including fields, bike parks, and other sport-specific infrastructure, ensuring they are designed to support strong programming from day one
• Develop and launch programming for new facilities as they come online, activating capital investments as thriving community spaces
• Represent sports programs to community stakeholders, partner organizations, schools, and governing bodies

Financial Management and Business Operations

• Develop and manage the department budget, including revenue projections, expense forecasting, and capital planning
• Implement pricing and revenue strategies that ensure financial sustainability while keeping programs accessible to the community
• Support sponsorship and partnership opportunities that drive program growth
• Oversee procurement processes for equipment, supplies, uniforms, and contracted services

Program Operations and Quality Management

• Oversee development, implementation, and evaluation of all sports programming including youth and adult leagues, tournaments, camps, clinics, action sports, and drop-in programs
• Drive consistency in program structure, scheduling, communication, and participant experience across all sports areas
• Partner with the Staff and Program Development Manager to build training systems, coaching standards, and official development frameworks that support high-quality, consistent program delivery
• Establish and enforce a clear code of conduct and behavior management framework across all sports programs, ensuring safe and respectful environments for participants, families, staff, and officials
• Monitor program outcomes and participant satisfaction; take ownership of results and act decisively on findings

Partnership Development and Community Engagement

• Build and maintain relationships with schools, sports clubs, community organizations, and governing bodies that expand access and program reach
• Serve as a visible and approachable representative of CARD sports in the community, engaging participants, families, and partners with professionalism and genuine care
• Collaborate with the Marketing team to promote sports programs in ways that reflect CARD's inclusive, community-first identity

Human Resources and Staff Development

• Directly supervise professional staff across sports program areas; set clear expectations, provide consistent feedback, and invest in meaningful development
• Oversee recruitment, hiring, and retention of a large seasonal workforce including coaches, officials, and instructors
• Build training and onboarding systems that instill CARD's sports philosophy at every level of the team
• Identify emerging leaders and create opportunities that build organizational capacity across the division

Regulatory Compliance and Risk Management

• Ensure all programs operate in compliance with applicable regulations and safety standards
• Develop and maintain risk management policies and procedures that protect participants, staff, and the organization
• Investigate incidents, prepare thorough reports, and implement corrective measures without delay

Additional Responsibilities

• Participate actively in the department leadership team and collaborate with managers across Recreation to align programs, share resources, and support district-wide initiatives
• Serve in emergency response roles as assigned
• Maintain regular communication with the Recreation Director; escalate strategic, policy-level, or high-risk issues appropriately and in a timely manner
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Recreation Director

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field, or equivalent combination of education and professional experience
• Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience leading complex, multi-program or multi-site operations, including at least three (3) years in a supervisory capacity; experience in sport, recreation, community programming, or a related people-facing environment is an asset but not a requirement
• Demonstrated ability to manage budgets, lead diverse teams, and deliver operational results across multiple programs or service areas
• Experience in sport, recreation, youth programs, or community services

Required Certifications and Licenses:

• Current CPR/AED and First Aid certifications, or ability to obtain within 90 days of hire
• Valid California Class C Driver's License with satisfactory driving record

Desirable Qualifications:

• Sport-specific coaching or officiating certifications (USYVL, USSF, USA Softball, USA Basketball, etc.)
• Youth Protection Training certification
• National Association of Sports Officials (NASO) certification or equivalent

Knowledge of:

• Sports program operations across multiple sports, age groups, and skill levels, gained through direct experience
• Budget development, financial analysis, and revenue management
• Inclusive program design and participant-centered programming philosophy
• Behavior management, conduct standards, and conflict resolution in sports environments
• Human resources practices, including recruitment, staff development, and performance management
• Partnership development and cross-departmental collaboration

Skills and Abilities:

• Lead with purpose; inspire staff and participants around a shared belief in what sport can do for people and the community
• Build and sustain a culture of fun, respect, and belonging across all sports programs
• Take ownership of outcomes and hold the team to a consistent standard with clarity and care
• Engage the public with warmth and professionalism; model the customer service standard expected of the entire team
• Collaborate effectively across departments, including facilities, marketing, youth programs, and administration
• Manage complex operations, budgets, and competing priorities with sound judgment
• Exercise sound judgment in operational decision-making; know when to act independently and when to escalate to leadership
• Work a schedule that reflects the demands of sports programming, including evenings, weekends, and peak seasons

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

CARD is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected status.

This job description indicates, in general, the nature and levels of work, knowledge, skills, abilities and other essential functions expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be asked to perform other duties as required.