Recreation Playground Specialist - Wisconsin

The Recreation Specialist is responsible for developing and leading recreation improvement projects from early relationship building through design, sales, and installation. This role focuses on identifying and engaging organizations planning park, playground, and recreation investments and guiding them through the process of creating spaces that serve their community.

Working closely with municipalities, schools, developers, churches, recreation facilities, and design professionals, the Recreation Specialist acts as a consultant and trusted advisor. The role involves uncovering project opportunities, helping stakeholders define goals and budgets, developing appropriate solutions, and coordinating internally to bring projects to completion.

Successful candidates are proactive business developers who are comfortable leading conversations with decision-makers, navigating multi-stakeholder projects, and managing longer sales cycles tied to planning and funding timelines.

• Identify and pursue new recreation project opportunities within an assigned territory.
• Build relationships with key decision-makers including parks directors, municipal leaders, school administrators, developers, civil engineers, and landscape architects.
• Proactively prospect through networking, referrals, outreach, and community engagement to develop a pipeline of future projects.
• Lead discovery conversations to understand project goals, site constraints, budgets, and timelines.
• Present solutions including playground systems, shade structures, shelters, site amenities, and other recreation infrastructure.
• Develop proposals, guide pricing discussions, negotiate contracts, and close sales.
• Manage multiple projects at different stages of development simultaneously.

• Serve as the primary point of contact for customers throughout the project lifecycle.
• Build long-term relationships that lead to repeat business and future park improvements.
• Conduct site visits, planning discussions, and periodic reviews with existing clients to identify new opportunities.
• Provide responsive support and guidance before, during, and after project completion.
• Work closely with internal design, operations, marketing, and project coordination teams to develop project concepts and deliver solutions.
• Coordinate project details from early planning through installation.
• Ensure clear communication between customers and internal teams throughout the sales and project development process.

• Maintain a strong understanding of playground systems, recreation infrastructure, and industry best practices.
• Stay informed on trends in parks and recreation planning, safety standards, and product innovations.
• Provide guidance to clients on design options, safety considerations, and long-term value of recreation investments.
• Maintain accurate records of sales activity, project opportunities, and customer interactions in the CRM system.
• Manage a healthy pipeline of short-term and long-term opportunities.
• Track progress against sales goals and activity expectations.

Top performers in this position consistently:

• Create new project opportunities through proactive outreach and relationship development.
• Engage decision-makers early in the planning process and position themselves as trusted advisors.
• Use a consultative sales approach to uncover real project needs rather than simply responding to requests for pricing.
• Lead productive conversations about project scope, budgets, funding sources, and long-term planning.
• Qualify opportunities effectively before investing time in design and proposals.
• Position recreation projects as meaningful community investments rather than commodity purchases.
• Maintain accountability for pipeline development, activity levels, and results.

Individuals who succeed in this position tend to:

• Be naturally curious and comfortable asking thoughtful, direct questions.
• Listen carefully to understand challenges before proposing solutions.
• Enjoy building long-term relationships and navigating complex projects with multiple stakeholders.
• Demonstrate resilience and persistence when projects move slowly or face funding challenges.
• Take initiative to create opportunities rather than waiting for leads.
• Balance relationship-building with clear accountability for results.

This role requires consistent and proactive business development activity. Recreation Specialists are expected to:

• Regularly prospect within their territory to identify future park and playground projects.
• Build relationships with municipalities, school districts, architectural and engineering firms, and community organizations.
• Generate new opportunities through networking, referrals, community engagement, and direct outreach.
• Maintain a steady cadence of meetings with both new and existing accounts.

Recreation Specialists must be comfortable…