Job Description

Job Brief

The Director of Recreation and Creative Arts provides strategic leadership, oversight, and development of comprehensive recreational and creative arts programming across CP Unlimited.

Shift Worked: Varied Weekly Hours: 37.5FLSA Status: Exempt Pay range: $100,000-$110,000

Position Summary

The Director of Recreation and Creative Arts provides strategic leadership, oversight, and development of comprehensive recreational and creative arts programming across CP Unlimited residential and day programs. Reporting to the Senior Director of Programs, this role will lead the planning, implementation, and evaluation of recreation and art-based services that enhance quality of life, promote independence, support social integration, and achieve measurable developmental outcomes for individuals supported by CP Unlimited.

This is a newly established department, and the Director of Recreation and Creative Arts will be responsible for building, standardizing, and gradually expanding the department’s structure, curriculum, staffing, and volunteer engagement in alignment with person‑centered planning principles and all applicable regulatory requirements.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Program Leadership & Development

• Develop, implement, and continuously improve agency‑wide recreational and creative arts programming for residential and day program settings.
• Design and oversee standardized curricula and program frameworks that support person‑centered goals, developmental outcomes, and meaningful engagement.
• Ensure recreational services are inclusive, accessible, culturally responsive, and aligned with best practices in recreational and creative arts therapies.
• Monitor program quality, participation, and outcomes using measurable indicators and data‑informed decision making.

Department Development & Administration

• Establish and grow the Recreation & Creative Arts Department, including policies, procedures, workflows, and staffing models.
• Develop short‑ and long‑term departmental goals aligned with CP Unlimited’ s mission and strategic priorities.
• Support budget planning, resource allocation, and responsible use of materials and funding for recreational programming.
• Collaborate with leadership to integrate recreational services across agency programs.

Staff & Volunteer Recruitment, Training & Supervision

• Recruit, train, supervise, and evaluate recreational specialists, creative arts therapists, and volunteers supporting recreational programming.
• Develop structured volunteer roles that enhance program capacity while maintaining service quality and safety.
• Coordinate volunteer onboarding, orientation, scheduling, and ongoing support in collaboration with agency leadership and relevant departments.
• Provide ongoing professional development, coaching, and performance feedback to staff and volunteers.
• Promote a collaborative, professional, and person‑centered team culture consistent with CP Unlimited values.

Interdisciplinary Collaboration

• Communicate and coordinate closely with department heads, including the Vice Presidents of Residential and Day Programs, management teams, clinicians, and direct support professionals.
• Participate in interdisciplinary planning and ensure recreational services align with individual service plans, clinical recommendations, and therapeutic goals.
• Serve as a subject matter expert on recreation and creative arts services across the organization.

Compliance & Quality Assurance

• Ensure all recreational and creative arts programming complies with applicable local, state, and federal regulations.
• Ensure volunteers and staff adhere to agency policies, training requirements, and supervision standards.
• Develop and maintain program documentation, policies, and procedures to support regulatory compliance and internal quality standards.
• Participate in audits, reviews, and quality improvement initiatives as required.

Person‑Centered & Community Integration Focus

• Promote person‑centered programming that reflects individual interests, preferences, and goals.
• Expand opportunities for social inclusion, community participation, and meaningful leisure experiences, including partnerships with community organizations and volunteers.
• Support individuals in building skills that increase independence, choice, and self‑expression through recreation and creative arts.
• All other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred in Recreation Therapy, Arts Therapy, Therapeutic Recreation, Special Education, Psychology, Social Work, or a related field.
• Minimum of 3 years of progressive experience in recreational programming, creative arts therapies, or human services, including supervisory or leadership experience.
• Experience recruiting, training, or coordinating volunteers preferred.
• Experience working within residential and/or day program environments for individuals with developmental or intellectual disabilities strongly preferred.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Ability to travel across sites (5 boroughs in NYC).
• Strong knowledge of person‑centered planning, recreational therapy principles, and creative arts modalities.
• Demonstrated ability to build and grow programs or departments from inception.
• Strong organizational, leadership, and program development skills.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills with multidisciplinary teams and community partners.
• Working knowledge of regulatory requirements affecting residential and day services.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work effectively in a fast‑paced environment.

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