Recreation, sports and fitness program and service directors
Recreation, sports and fitness program and service directors plan, organize, direct, control and evaluate the operations of comprehensive recreational, sports and fitness programs and services, national or provincial sports governing agencies and professional athletic teams.
Moderate
Market Demand
TEER 0
Skill Level
NS, AB, SK
Top Provinces
What They Do
- Plan, organize, direct, control and evaluate the operations of recreation, sports and fitness programs and services
- Provide technical and professional advice on recreation, sports and fitness matters
- Prepare budget estimates and develop policies and procedures to implement programs
- Manage the operations of a sports governing agency
- Organize and administer national and provincial training, coaching, officiating and other programs associated with a particular sport
- Manage the operations of a professional athletic team
- Recruit professional coaches and athletes
- Direct fundraising drives and arrange for sponsorships from public and private organizations
- Develop long range plans and negotiate business contracts.
Qualifications
- checkA university degree in recreology, physical education, sports administration or a related field ora college diploma in recreation management or sports administration is usually required.
- checkExecutive directors of sports governing agencies may be required to have coaching certification in a particular sport.
- checkSeveral years of experience in an occupation related to recreation and sports administration, consulting or programming are usually required.
- checkSome directors of recreation may be required to have a Municipal Recreation Director's Certificate.
Market Outlook by Province
Nova Scotia
The employment outlook will be Moderate for recreation, sports and fitness program and service directors (NOC 50012) in Nova Scotia for the 2025-2027 period.The following factors contributed to this outlook:Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions.A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.Here are some key facts about recreation, sports and fitness program and service directors in Nova Scotia: Approximately 450 people worked in this occupation in May 2021. Recreation, sports and fitness program and service directors mainly work in the following sectors: Arts, entertainment and recreation (NAICS 71): 72%Nursing and residential care facilities (NAICS 623): 13% The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:Full-time workers: 93% compared to 82% for all occupationsPart-time workers: 7% compared to 18% for all occupations66% of recreation, sports and fitness program and service directors work all year, while 34% work only part of the year, compared to 62% and 38% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 44 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.7% of recreation, sports and fitness program and service directors are self-employed compared to an average of 11% for all occupations.The gender distribution of people in this occupation is: Men: 46% compared to 51% for all occupations Women: 54% compared to 49% for all occupations The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is: no high school diploma: less than 5% compared to 10% for all occupations high school diploma or equivalent: 18% compared to 27% for all occupations apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: less than 5% compared to 12% for all occupations college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 26% compared to 22% for all occupations bachelor's degree: 42% compared to 20% for all occupations university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 12% compared to 10% for all occupations
Moderate
Outlook
Alberta
The employment outlook will be Moderate for recreation, sports and fitness program and service directors (NOC 50012) in Alberta for the 2025-2027 period.The following factors contributed to this outlook:Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions.A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.Here are some key facts about recreation, sports and fitness program and service directors in Alberta: Approximately 1,750 people worked in this occupation in May 2021. Recreation, sports and fitness program and service directors mainly work in the following sectors: Arts, entertainment and recreation (NAICS 71): 76%Religious, grant-making, civic, and professional and similar organizations (NAICS 813): 6% The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:Full-time workers: 88% compared to 80% for all occupationsPart-time workers: 12% compared to 20% for all occupations62% of recreation, sports and fitness program and service directors work all year, while 38% work only part of the year, compared to 61% and 39% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 42 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.18% of recreation, sports and fitness program and service directors are self-employed compared to an average of 15% for all occupations.The gender distribution of people in this occupation is: Men: 56% compared to 53% for all occupations Women: 44% compared to 47% for all occupations The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is: no high school diploma: less than 5% compared to 10% for all occupations high school diploma or equivalent: 26% compared to 28% for all occupations apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 8% compared to 13% for all occupations college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 24% compared to 19% for all occupations bachelor's degree: 31% compared to 21% for all occupations university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 8% compared to 9% for all occupations
Moderate
Outlook
Saskatchewan
The employment outlook will be Moderate for recreation, sports and fitness program and service directors (NOC 50012) in Saskatchewan for the 2025-2027 period.The following factors contributed to this outlook:Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions.A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.Here are some key facts about recreation, sports and fitness program and service directors in Saskatchewan: Approximately 500 people worked in this occupation in May 2021. Recreation, sports and fitness program and service directors mainly work in the following sectors: Arts, entertainment and recreation (NAICS 71): 71%Nursing and residential care facilities (NAICS 623): 6%Local, municipal, regional, aboriginal and other public administration (NAICS 913-919): 5% The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:Full-time workers: 93% compared to 81% for all occupationsPart-time workers: 7% compared to 19% for all occupations64% of recreation, sports and fitness program and service directors work all year, while 36% work only part of the year, compared to 65% and 35% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 44 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.11% of recreation, sports and fitness program and service directors are self-employed compared to an average of 16% for all occupations.The gender distribution of people in this occupation is: Men: 48% compared to 53% for all occupations Women: 52% compared to 47% for all occupations The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is: no high school diploma: less than 5% compared to 11% for all occupations high school diploma or equivalent: 35% compared to 33% for all occupations apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 9% compared to 15% for all occupations college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 24% compared to 17% for all occupations bachelor's degree: 25% compared to 18% for all occupations university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 7% for all occupations
Moderate
Outlook
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Immigration Pathways
TEER 0 occupations are senior management roles that qualify for Express Entry under the Federal Skilled Worker Program.
Express Entry (FSW)
Provincial Nominee Programs
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Top Companies Hiring
Organizations with the most NOC 50012 openings right now.
Schlegel Villages
2 active roles · Windsor, ON · Kitchener, ON
Gold's Gym - British Columbia
1 active role · Port Coquitlam, BC
AccorHotel
1 active role · Jasper, AB
Christenson Communities
1 active role
City of Cranbrook
1 active role · Cranbrook, BC
Crunch Fitness Canada
1 active role · Kingston, ON
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Search Recreation, sports and fitness program and service directorsarrow_forwardCore Competencies
Management of Material Resources
to oversee equipment, facilities or budgets while delivering high-quality programs and services while staying within budget constraints
Negotiating and Persuading
to secure contracts with vendors, obtain sponsors' support for their events and convince stakeholders of the value of their programs
Fluency of Ideas
to develop innovative and engaging recreational and fitness programs in an ever-changing and competitive field
Verbal Ability and Speech Clarity
to articulate program or organizational goals, provide precise instructions to employees, motivate community participants and present concise ideas to stakeholders or the public
Leadership
to understand how to create a cohesive work environment and motivate employees to provide high quality community and sports programs
Knowledge in Recreation, Leisure and Fitness
to understand current trends, participant needs, best practices in the field and how to design programs that are safe, enjoyable and beneficial for participants
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