Mid-Level

Entertainment and Recreation Operations Manager (Entertainment and Recreation Ops Manager)

The venue operations leader — managing entertainment and recreation facility operations for guest experience.

Career Level
Junior
Mid
Senior
Director
VP
Executive
Work Personality
E
C
R
S
I
A
Enterprisingleading, persuading
Conventionalorganizing, detail-oriented
Based on Holland Code framework
Industries that often hire Entertainment and Recreation Operations Manager (Entertainment and Recreation Ops Manager)s
Job markets for Entertainment and Recreation Operations Manager (Entertainment and Recreation Ops Manager)s
Employment concentration · ~146 areas
Based on employment in related occupations
Mapped SOC categories:
BLS Occupational Employment Statistics
What it's like

What it's like to be a Entertainment and Recreation Operations Manager (Entertainment and Recreation Ops Manager)

As Entertainment and Recreation Operations Manager, you manage operations at entertainment or recreation facilities. You oversee daily operations, manage staff, ensure guest safety and satisfaction, and maintain facility performance.

Your days are guest-focused and varied. You might oversee facility opening, manage staff, address guest issues, ensure safety compliance, coordinate with maintenance, and drive guest experience. You keep entertainment and recreation facilities running smoothly.

The hardest part is managing variable demand and guest expectations while maintaining safety and service quality. Entertainment and Recreation Operations Managers who thrive are guest-focused leaders, handle varied situations, and build teams that deliver experiences.

Work values data not available for this role.
StrategyExecution
StructuredAdaptable
ManagingContributing
CollaborativeIndependent
Facility typeSeasonalityGuest demographicsSafety requirementsTeam size
This role varies by facility type — theme parks, sports facilities, recreation centers, and entertainment venues have different needs. Seasonality affects operations. Guest demographics shape service approach. Safety requirements vary by activity type. Team sizes differ significantly.
✦ Editorial — written by Truest from industry research and career patterns
Career Paths

Where this role sits in the broader career landscape — and where it can take you.

$239K$179K$119K$60K$0KLower paying387 metro areas, sorted by salary level
All experience levels1
This level's estimated range
INDUSTRIES PAYING ABOVE AVERAGE
1 BLS OEWS May 2024 covers all Entertainment and Recreation Operations Manager (Entertainment and Recreation Ops Manager)s (SOC 11-9072.00), not just this title · BEA RPP 2023
* Top salaries exceed this figure. BLS caps reported wages at ~$240K to protect individual privacy in high-earning roles.
Exploring the Entertainment and Recreation Operations Manager (Entertainment and Recreation Ops Manager) career path? Truest helps you figure out if it's the right fit — and plan your path forward.
Explore career tools
1
Guest experience strategy
Director roles shape experience beyond operations
2
Revenue management
Entertainment requires yield management
3
Multi-venue operations
Advancing often means multiple locations
What type of facility is this?
What is the guest volume and seasonality?
What are the safety requirements?
What is the team structure?
What are the key operational challenges?
✦ Editorial — career progression and interview guidance based on industry patterns
The Broader Landscape

Roles like this one sit within a broader occupational category. The numbers below reflect that full landscape — helpful for context, but your specific experience will depend on level, specialty, and where you work.

$45K–$135K
Salary Range
10th – 90th percentile
37K
U.S. Employment
+7.7%
10yr Growth
6K
Annual Openings

How this category is changing

$110K$107K$104K$101K$99K201920202021202220232024$99K$110K
BLS OEWS May 2024 · BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034

Skills & Requirements

Active ListeningSpeakingService OrientationReading ComprehensionCoordinationCritical ThinkingSocial PerceptivenessJudgment and Decision MakingWritingMonitoring
O*NET OnLine · Bureau of Labor Statistics
11-9072.00

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Federal data: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (May 2024) · BLS Employment Projections · O*NET OnLine
Truest editorial: Fit check, role profile, things that vary, advancement analysis, lateral moves, interview questions.