How to hire a recreational programs director

How to hire a recreational programs director, step by step

Here's a step-by-step recreational programs director hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a recreational programs director job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new recreational programs director
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a recreational programs director, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a recreational programs director to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a recreational programs director that fits the bill.

   The following list breaks down different types of recreational programs directors and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Recreational Programs Director	Description	Hourly rate
   Recreational Programs Director	Producers and directors create motion pictures, television shows, live theater, commercials, and other performing arts productions. They interpret a writer’s script to entertain or inform an audience.	$11-36
   Program Supervisor	A program supervisor is a professional who coordinates and monitors the scheduling and technical performance of company programs. Program supervisors aid in negotiating contracts and are responsible for any contractual changes... Show more	$17-25
   Director	Directors work in show business, whether in a film, a television show, or a theatre production. They are responsible for bringing the material to life... Show more	$31-92

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Program Development
   • Physical Disabilities
   • Staff Training
   • Athletic Program
   • Recreational Facilities
   • Front Desk
   • Press Releases

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage day-to-day operations including oversight of the editorial calendar, $1MM+ budget, and 8-10 staff producers and freelancers.
   • Deliver significant gains in business responsiveness and agility while reducing capital investment and boosting ROI.
   • Develop records keeping management system and stat tracking to enhance ministry productivity.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your recreational programs director job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A recreational programs director salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, recreational programs directors' average salary in hawaii is 55% less than in district of columbia.
   • Seniority. Entry-level recreational programs directors earn 68% less than senior-level recreational programs directors.
   • Certifications. A recreational programs director with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a recreational programs director's salary.

   Average recreational programs director salary

   $43,393yearly

   $20.86 hourly rate

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   Entry-level recreational programs director salary

   $24,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 5, 2025

4. Writing a recreational programs director job description

   A recreational programs director job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a recreational programs director job description:

   Recreational programs director job description example

   Watermark Retirement Communities is one of the Top 25 Best Workplaces in Senior Housing for Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care, Skilled Nursing and Home Healthcare. For over 30 years, we've been a company that celebrates people, their stories, and their meaningful interactions-because every interaction matters! Watermark is focused on keeping our communities healthy and our residents thriving through leading edge technology and well-being programs that benefit our entire Watermark family. Learn more. Stay Safe. Be Well. We are proud of the talented and nurturing associates that have chosen to work for Watermark, and we honor each of them.
   Why Work at Watermark Retirement Communities?
   
   * Get Immediate Access to Earned Income Through Dayforce Wallet!
   * Competitive Wages
   * Excellent Benefits!
   * Easy Shift Scheduling with Mobile App!
   * Recognition and Rewards Program
   * Vacation, Holiday, and Sick Pay
   * Associate Discounts
   * Education and Training Programs available
   
   Watermark Retirement Communities was ranked among Fortune Magazine's top places to work in The Unites States for Aging Services! Now that is something exciting to be a part of!!!!
   
   Watermark Retirement Communities has been a leader in the senior housing industry for over 30 years, and our commitment to our associates and a strong, positive culture is a significant driver of this success. When you walk through the front door of one of our communities, you will feel something special; an atmosphere of personal, authentic human connection. We call it making Ripples. We invite you to be a part of a team where you are encouraged each day to slow down, see the value in every person, create Ripples, and share stories that celebrate life and the human connection. We are proud of the talented and nurturing associates that have chosen to work for Watermark, and we value each and every one. Join us in creating culture one story at a time.
   
   Bring your passion and strong work ethic to us!
   
   We are without a doubt the most premier retirement community, and a dream come true for a Recreation/Programming Director. At Watermark Retirement Communities, our Recreation/Programming Directors come from a variety of backgrounds including theater, art, music, fitness, education, event planning and recreation. We are looking for incredibly talented people who can plan and execute a well-rounded, refined program that will give our residents the opportunity to continue to thrive, no matter what! We are committed to resident health and well being and we want our ideal candidate to support a wellness centered program.
   
   Through our unique national program "Watermark University" our residents have an opportunity to teach and take courses that stimulate their mind and strengthen their body. Watermark's approach to programming is truly limitless. We are committed to providing our residents with a comprehensive program that provides life enhancement on multiple levels.
   
   The successful candidate will understand how to balance programming with resident's needs. We want to meet people that like us, want to give all residents the ability to have a quality of life that we can take pride in.
   
   What you will need for this position:
   
   * Degree in therapeutic recreation or related field a plus
   * 2-4 years' experience in resident programming including Assisted Living, Memory Care and older adults experiencing cognitive change.
   * Passion for seniors
   * Excellent communication skills
   * Excellent computer skills in Word, Excel and online systems
   * Proven track record in leading a team
   * Ability to demonstrate creating a vibrant calendar of offered programs
   
   What you can expect from us:
   
   * Great benefits
   * Excellent national and regional support
   * Great opportunity to grow with a growing senior housing company
   * An extraordinary company culture
   
   Watermark Retirement Communities, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer, Minority/Female/Disability/Veteran/LBGTQ - proudly embracing diversity in all of its manifestations.
   
   Watermark Retirement Communities, Inc. is not accepting unsolicited assistance from search firms for this employment opportunity. Please, no phone calls or emails. All resumes submitted by search firms to any associate at Watermark or its affiliates via-email, the Internet or in any form and/or method without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of Watermark Retirement Communities, Inc. No fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by Watermark as a result of the referral or through other means.

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5. Post your job

   To find the right recreational programs director for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with recreational programs directors they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit recreational programs directors who meet your education requirements.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your recreational programs director job on Zippia to find and recruit recreational programs director candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting recreational programs directors requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new recreational programs director

   Once you've selected the best recreational programs director candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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