Executive Director of Campus Recreation

Executive Director Of Campus Recreation

The Executive Director of Campus Recreation leads a comprehensive recreation and wellness program designed to meet the student development needs of a diverse campus community of over 17,000 students. The Executive Director's portfolio includes oversight of various recreational facilities and the following recreation and wellness programs : fitness, intramural sports, aquatics, informal recreation, esports, climbing wall, club sports, nutrition services, summer youth programs, outdoor programs and equipment rental, and special events.

The Executive Director of Campus Recreation partners with the university's colleges, student affairs departments, regional campuses, and external organizations to enhance the student experience and support student success by ensuring that all USU students are aware of the recreation and wellness resources provided by the department and the university. The Executive Director of Campus Recreation reports to the Vice President for Student Affairs. This position classification trains, guides, and directs subordinate employees, hourly / student employees, volunteers, and graduate students.

Responsibilities

Develop, lead, and manage successful student-centered and student-directed recreation and wellness programs.

Supervise professional staff, student employees, and graduate assistants.

Practice strong and ethical fiscal management of a complex annual budget of $1.5 million.

Engage in effective, collaborative working relationships with stakeholders in order to provide optimal service to all student populations and campus constituents.

Engage in strategic planning and assessment activities centered upon the attainment of appropriate student learning outcomes.

Plan, organize, and carry out special wellness and recreation-related events.

Foster partnerships with shared use facilities with key stakeholders; including but not limited to Athletics, Department of Kinesiology & Health Science, Department of Military Science, and Office of Events.

May be invited to provide instruction in the Recreation Administration program within the Department of Kinesiology and Health Science.

Work evenings and weekends, as needed.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications :

A bachelor's degree plus 9 years of experience including 5 years of leadership experience or an equivalent combination of education / experience.

Experience managing a comprehensive university recreation facility, a community recreation facility and / or program or an area within one.

American Red Cross certification in CPR, AED, and First Aid.

Preferred Qualifications :

Master's degree

American Red Cross Instructor certification in CPR, AED, and First Aid also required.

Demonstrated success partnering with campus units, external vendors, and community stakeholders.

Proven track record building high-performance, inclusive teams and driving measurable outcomes.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities :

Ability to exercise sound judgment and demonstrate strong leadership and managerial, organizational, interpersonal, and motivational skills.

Understanding of confidentially, equity, equal access and labor laws related to staff and student employee hiring and employment practices.

Demonstrated experience in successfully applying the principles of risk management to university recreation.

Understanding of the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) as it relates to recreation access and accommodation.

Commitment to the highest standards of customer service, professionalism, ethics / integrity and excellence.

Commitment to sustainable operating practices related to university recreation facilities, equipment, and programs.

Understanding of higher education / student affairs operations

Database and records management skills

Knowledge of marketing strategies, processes, and available resources

Maintain professional membership in the National Recreational Sports Association (NIRSA) and other related organizations.

Ability to foster a cooperative work environment.

Ability to train, guide, and direct employees, including organizing, prioritizing, and scheduling work assignments.

Required Documents

Along with the online application, please attach :

1. Resume to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under "Resume / CV"

2. Cover letter to be typed / pasted at the end of your application

• Document size may not exceed 10 MB.

Advertised Salary

Minimum $85,000 commensurate with experience, plus excellent benefits

ADA

This position requires considerable physical activity, including strenuous walking, standing and climbing. Employees must have sufficient strength to perform the duties and responsibilities of the position including heavy lifting and / or pushing and pulling of heavy objects. Employees must be prepared to assume uncomfortable positions, such as crawling, kneeling, and squatting. Employees work outside and are not protected from weather conditions, including extreme cold and extreme heat for extended periods.

College / Department Highlights

Campus Recreation is a proud part of Utah State University's Division of Student Affairs. Our team is comprised of professional staff & student leaders with a wide range of professional competencies and representing the areas of : Facility Operations, Nutrition, Fitness, Club & Competitive Sports, Youth Camps, Aquatics, Esports, Outdoor Gear Rentals, Outdoor Trips, Marketing, and a myriad of Health & Safety offerings. We regard our individual team members as experts in their areas and consistently seek to magnify the student experience on our campus by supporting and bolstering each other's operations and events. We value collaborative relationships, and our leadership team champions cross-departmental initiatives and involvement in professional organizations and university committees. We work hard and value work-life balance. Change here runs on collaboration and an open-door policy. We appreciate our opportunities to counsel and learn from one another.

We pride ourselves on student advocacy and providing leadership opportunities for our employee base of over 200+ student employees. We strive to create a welcoming and engaging environment for all of our users, and to be responsive to shifting industry trends and wellness needs in our region and on USU's Campus. We know our work is vital to the holistic wellness of the USU Students, Staff, and community members we engage with. We love our work and unique social and environmental climate here in the beautiful Cache Valley.

University Highlights

Founded in 1888, Utah State University is Utah's premier land-grant, public service university. As an R1 research institution, Utah State is dedicated to advancing knowledge and serving the public good through innovative research and scholarly activities that are grounded in reciprocal engagement with local, regional, and global communities. USU prepares students to be active, civically engaged leaders who are prepared to address critical societal challenges. Dedicated to providing a high-quality and affordable education, USU remains a leader in research, discovery, and public impact.

USU enrolls 28,900 students, both online and in person at locations throughout the state. Utah State's 30 locations include a main campus in Logan, Utah, residential campuses in Price and Blanding, and six additional statewide campuses, along with education centers serving every county. USU Online educates students from all 50 states and 55 countries. For over 25 years, USU Extension has served and engaged Utahns in all of Utah's counties.

Competing at the NCAA Division I level, USU is a proud member of the Mountain West Conference and will join the Pac-12 Conference beginning in the 2026-2027 season. The Aggies' long-standing tradition of athletic and academic excellence is exemplified by conference championships in multiple sports, reflecting USU's commitment to perseverance and achievement.

Utah State is dedicated to fostering a community where all individuals feel respected, valued, and supported. We seek to recruit, hire, and retain people from all walks of life who will champion excellence in education, research, discovery, outreach, and service. We believe that promoting a strong sense of community and belonging empowers and engages all members of USU to thrive and be successful. Forbes recognized our commitment to employees when they named Utah State the best employer in Utah in 2023. Learn more about USU.

The university provides a Dual Career Assistance Program to support careers for partners who are also seeking employment. Additionally, USU is committed to providing access and a reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities. To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability, contact the university's ADA Coordinator in the Office of Human Resources at (435) 797-0122 or hr@usu.edu.

Notice of Non-discrimination

In its programs and activities, including in admissions and employment, Utah State University does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination, including harassment, based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by