Overview
Work History
Certification
Education
Work Availability
Summary
Skills
Timeline
Generic
Sandie Gilmer

Sandie Gilmer

Plainfield,IL

Overview

25
25
years of professional experience
5
5
years of post-secondary education

Work History

Recreation Superintendent

Fox Valley Park District
06.2018 - 12.2024
  • Leadership of 30 full-time and over 700 part-time recreation staff at six district facilities
  • Management of the Recreation Department annual operating budget of $10 million, which includes providing financial and statistical analysis on a monthly and quarterly basis regarding profit margins
  • Streamlined Aquatics Operations at the district's three aquatic facilities
  • Implement key strategic and department-wide projects
  • Coordination with Marketing and Communications staff to develop marketing strategies for the Recreation Department
  • Curriculum development for department staff trainings
  • Maintain brand standards within the Recreation Department and lead rebranding initiatives
  • Management numerous contracts and agreements
  • Establishment of cooperative relationships with community partners, organizations, schools, and agencies
  • Cultivate innovation with staff by creating and fostering new ideas to build revenue and increase efficiencies and productivity
  • Coordination of all communication between park district staff and Fox Valley Special Recreation Association
  • Also serve as board alternate
  • Developed partnerships with external vendors and suppliers to obtain quality products and services.
  • Planned and evaluated recreation and athletic programs with recreation director to support community.

Manager of Blackberry Farm and Early Childhood Education

Fox Valley Park District
09.2013 - 06.2018
  • Management facility operations at Blackberry Farm, including four fulltime Recreation Professionals and 70 part-time seasonal staff
  • Development and oversight of annual operating budget of $1.2M
  • Fostered creativity to create and execute new, innovative events and programming to drive revenue
  • Event Management for events ranging from 200-2500 in attendance
  • Streamlined branding practices throughout the facility
  • Buyer and retail designer of the Blackberry Farm gift shop
  • Management the park district preschool program located at five sites

Early Childhood Program Manager

Naperville Park District
08.2008 - 09.2013
  • Managed Early Childhood, Environmental Education, Special Events, Birthday Party, Culinary Arts, Gymnastics and Early Childhood Camp Program Areas (60 part-time staff)
  • Management of four Program Coordinators (25+ hours/week)
  • Development and implementation of programming budget
  • Interviewing, hiring, training, coaching and evaluation of staff
  • Development of marketing strategies for programs
  • Creation of the district's first nature education program
  • Development of an award-winning nature preschool program and curriculum
  • Management of approximately 45 Early Childhood Program staff
  • Management of Dance Program staff through May 2005
  • Created and managed programming budget
  • Interviewing, hiring, training, coaching and reviewing of all Early Childhood staff
  • Homeschool Program Coordinator
  • Development of marketing strategies for all Early Childhood and Homeschool programs
  • Management of all Early Childhood Special Events, including Week of the Young Child- a week of free activities for over 2500 children and their families
  • Collaborated with social services to communicate with schools and customer service in school program areas.
  • Delivered technical assistance and validated programmatic data for state and federal reporting.
  • Offered training and support for preschool literacy programs.

Early Childhood Recreation Supervisor

Bolingbrook Park District
01.2004 - 01.2008

Schaumburg Tennis Plus Assistant Manager

Schaumburg Park District
01.2003 - 01.2004
  • Management of front desk, custodial, personal training, birthday party and instructor staff (30 PT staff)
  • Management of all facility programming which included fitness, youth, early childhood and adult general programs
  • Birthday Party and Homeschool Program Coordinator
  • Development of programming budget
  • Created the Homeschool Program, which was a collaboration between several departments and area Homeschool groups to develop curriculum and program content

Member Activities Manager

LifeTime Fitness
01.2002 - 01.2003
  • Leadership and management of the second largest Member Activities Department in the country
  • Interviewing, hiring, training, coaching, and reviewing all Member Activities staff (100+ PT staff)
  • Maintained and managed the Member Activities budget
  • The establishment of professional relationships with vendors, contracted employees and all club members

Pelican Harbor Manager

Bolingbrook Park District
01.2000 - 01.2002
  • Management of indoor and outdoor aquatic facilities and staff during public swim hours
  • Planned lifeguard inservices and maintained curriculum to ensure staff were always rescue ready
  • Assistant Learn to Swim Supervisor
  • Ellis & Associates Lifeguard and CPR instructor

Certification

Society for Human Resource Management Certified Professional exp. 4/2028

Certifed Parks and Recreation Professional exp. 9/2025

Certified Pool Operator exp. 8/2025

Education

Master of Science - Recreation Management

University of Wisconsin, LaCrosse
08.2020 - 05.2022

Bachelor of Arts - History

Eastern Illinois University
Charleston, IL
08.1998 - 12.2001

Work Availability

monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
swipe to browse

Summary

Experienced leader with strong background in guiding teams, managing complex projects, and achieving strategic objectives. Excels in developing efficient processes, ensuring high standards, and aligning efforts with organizational goals. Known for collaborative approach and commitment to excellence.

Skills

  • Partnership development
  • Facility management
  • Activity scheduling
  • Special event planning
  • Cultural awareness
  • Coaching and mentoring
  • Public relations
  • Effective communication
  • Staff training
  • Relationship building
  • Program development
  • Team collaboration
  • Written communication
  • Social media management
  • Analytical thinking
  • Decision-making
  • Customer service
  • Adaptability
  • Revenue generation
  • Customer retention
  • Event promotion
  • Time management
  • Team leadership
  • Recruitment
  • Recordkeeping
  • Labor law compliance
  • Onboarding and orientation
  • Employee retention
  • Diversity and inclusion
  • Employee support
  • Performance assessment
  • Training development
  • Recruitment life cycle
  • Recruitment and selection
  • Legal compliance
  • Microsoft office proficiency
  • Performance appraisal
  • Workforce improvements
  • Exit interviews
  • Background checks
  • Staff management

Timeline

Master of Science - Recreation Management

University of Wisconsin, LaCrosse
08.2020 - 05.2022

Recreation Superintendent

Fox Valley Park District
06.2018 - 12.2024

Manager of Blackberry Farm and Early Childhood Education

Fox Valley Park District
09.2013 - 06.2018

Early Childhood Program Manager

Naperville Park District
08.2008 - 09.2013

Early Childhood Recreation Supervisor

Bolingbrook Park District
01.2004 - 01.2008

Schaumburg Tennis Plus Assistant Manager

Schaumburg Park District
01.2003 - 01.2004

Member Activities Manager

LifeTime Fitness
01.2002 - 01.2003

Pelican Harbor Manager

Bolingbrook Park District
01.2000 - 01.2002

Bachelor of Arts - History

Eastern Illinois University
08.1998 - 12.2001

Similar Profiles

CREATE PROFILE
Sandie Gilmer