Career Center

This position provides visionary leadership in development, implementation and evaluation of a comprehensive recreation and wellness program designed to meet the needs of a diverse campus community of nearly 22,000 students.

This position provides oversight of fitness and wellness programs and services, recreational and competitive sports, experiential outdoor offerings and indoor rock climbing, and esports. They oversee strategic planning, assessment initiatives, and reports key performance indicators associated with recreation, student wellness, and other well-being initiatives. They ensure effective marketing, directs departmental emergency preparedness and risk management efforts, supervises staff in the department, provides Divisional leadership with other university colleagues providing student well-being support, and assumes leadership roles for collateral assignments.

Given the nature of the role and evolving changes in the Division of Student Affairs (DSA), the responsibilities, supervision, projects, and areas of oversight may shift over time and as institutional, divisional, and student needs warrant. They are expected to be highly visible within the student environment and among campus colleagues; to position the department as a leader in the creation of innovative programs to meet holistic student needs; to facilitate student involvement in department decision-making; and to have a mindset of diversity, inclusion, and equity to ensure access and participation.

PRIMARY DUTIES

1. Provide visionary, strategic, innovative, flexible, and change-oriented leadership
2. Oversee the development, implementation, evaluation, and integration of programs and services using best practices and institutional expectations to enhance student learning, success, and engagement
3. Supervise professional staff (both full-time and part-time) and student employees, assuring positive organizational culture, empowerment with accountability, personal and professional growth, and congruence with University and Division values and expectations
4. Facilitate and oversee all strategic planning and assessment efforts for the department
5. Develop and coordinate a communication strategy that conveys wellness messaging to students supporting a holistic and integrated approach to well-being
6. Assess, design, and implement safety and risk management prevention efforts for programs, services, and facilities; ensure security and safety; exercise appropriate procedures to prepare and respond to student emergencies and crises
7. Foster a supportive environment for student success and health behavior through the development and application of population-level initiatives including prevention activities and health assessments
8. Oversee financial operations; construct, monitor, and adjust budgets; manage multi-year capital improvements plan; determine financial operating models and other strategies to ensure long-term stability of the department; identify new sources of revenue and cost efficiencies for short- and long-term success
9. Provide leadership for department alumni and donor relationships in partnership with DSA leadership and University Development
10. Ensure compliance with all relevant policies, procedures, standards, and laws, and conduct regular policy reviews to align organization with student needs and compliance obligations
11. Champion current and future student recreation, sport, and fitness needs; assure department offerings are diverse, inclusive, equitable, and support the learning and personal development of students
12. Oversee club sports development, risk management, and educational intent
13. Develop and oversee outdoor education programming for students and student groups, assuring offerings are safe, fun, and learning-oriented
14. Identify and offer adaptive programming activities for students with disabilities
15. Manage community activities, special events, and tournaments; identify additional events and opportunities to generate sponsorships and revenue to increase services, programs, and support for students
16. Actively cultivate and sustain critical partnerships including but not limited to those within academic departments, athletics, facilities, GVPD, faculty, staff, and students
17. Assure active leadership and involvement of staff within NIRSA and other appropriate professional organizations
18. Performs other duties as required/assigned by manager

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED

• Master's degree in Recreation, Exercise Science, Sports Administration, Student Affairs/Higher Education, Health Promotion, or related field
• Minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible leadership experience within recreation and/or health and wellness including experience in budget management, staff supervision, facilities, and programs
• Demonstrated skill in interpersonal communication and collaborative relationship building
• Proficiency with computers and technology (e.g., recreation management software)
• Understanding of student- and recreation-related risk management and mitigation strategies
• Ability to articulate a comprehensive knowledge of the theories, principles and practices of student development
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, with a capacity to effect change in the institutional culture and operations
• Knowledgeable about national best practices in university recreation and student wellness/health promotion
• The emotional intelligence and political intuition to navigate institutional culture
• Relationship building skills with the ability to work collaboratively with key campus and community partners are highly desirable