Executive Director, Campus Recreation

External Applicants:

Please ensure all required documents are ready to upload before beginning your application including your resume cover letter and any additional materials specified in the job description.

Cover Letter and Supporting Documents:

• Navigate to the My Experience application page.

• Locate the Resume/CV document upload section at the bottom of the page.

• Use the Select Files button to upload your cover letter resume and any other required supporting documents. You can select multiple files.

Important Note: The My Experience page is the only opportunity to attach your cover letter resume and supporting documents. You will not be able to modify your application or add attachments after submission.

Current Employees:

Apply from your existing Workday account in the Jobs Hub. Do not apply from this website.

A cover letter is required for all positions; optional for facilities campus services and hospitality roles unless otherwise specified.

Job Description Summary

Job Description

*This position is not eligible for sponsorship of non-immigrant or immigrant visa status through Wake Forest University. All eligible applicants are encouraged to apply.

Essential Functions:

• Strategic Program Leadership and Development

  • Provide visionary and strategic leadership developing and implementing comprehensive innovative recreation programs and services (fitness intramurals club sports aquatics outdoor adventures etc.) aligned with the university and Campus Life missions.

  • Foster a culture of wellness innovation and access ensuring high-quality safe and engaging experiences for everyone in the university community.

  • Develop and assess short-term and long-term strategic plans making complex decisions to meet objectives while staying current with national trends best practices and relevant regulations in collegiate recreation and wellness.

• Facility and Program Operations

  • Oversee the management operation and maintenance of all campus recreation facilities.

  • Develop manage and maximize a departmental budget of approximately $5 million ensuring fiscal integrity revenue generation and effective resource allocation for all operations.

  • Develop and implement capital improvement plans and equipment upgrades/replacements making data-driven decisions based on financial reports and aligning resource allocation with departmental divisional and university objectives.

  • Develop goals and strategies to maximize facility utilization resulting in recognition and additional revenues.

  • Ensure facilities meet safety standards and risk management protocols.

• Staff Supervision & Development:

  • Lead mentor and motivate a large team including 6 direct full-time reports 8 indirect full-time reports and over 300 part-time and student staff.

  • Maximize student employment to foster leadership development substantive employment opportunities transferable life skills and personal and career development.

  • Foster a cohesive and positive team environment promoting professional development and student learning.

• Assessment & Administration:

  • Develop and implement effective evaluation strategies to measure program success participation student learning outcomes and overall departmental effectiveness.

  • Develop and oversee comprehensive marketing and communication strategies including digital and social media marketing to effectively promote Campus Recreation programs services and facilities.

Other Functions:

• Serve as a member of the Campus Life Leadership Team contributing to divisional goals.

• Build and maintain strong collaborative relationships with internal campus partners (students faculty staff other departments) and external constituents.

• Represent Campus Recreation effectively across the university and potentially at state/national levels.

• Oversee the development and implementation of departmental policies and procedures.

• Ensure compliance with university policies risk management guidelines and relevant regulations.

• Prepare and present reports as required.

Required Education Knowledge Skills Abilities:

• Masters degree in Recreation Management Sports Management Higher Education Administration Exercise Science or a related field.

• 7 10 years of progressive professional experience in collegiate recreation or a comparable complex organization including significant experience with facility management program development staff supervision and budget oversight.

• Demonstrated ability to provide visionary leadership and manage transformative organizational change.

• Proven knowledge of recreation facility management programming (fitness intramurals sports clubs aquatics outdoor recreation) risk management and assessment.

• Deep understanding of student development and higher education theory and the role of recreation and wellness in advancing wellbeing.

• Strong financial acumen with experience managing complex budgets.

• Excellent leadership supervisory communication (oral and written) interpersonal and relationship-building skills.

• Demonstrated ability to build collaborative partnerships across diverse groups.

• Strong organizational planning and problem-solving abilities.

• Commitment to diversity equity and inclusion.

• Proficiency with relevant technology (e.g. Microsoft Office internet recreation management software).

Preferred Education Knowledge Skills Abilities:

• Doctorate degree.

• Experience with fundraising or external relations.

• Active involvement in relevant professional organizations (e.g. NIRSA).

Accountabilities:

• Supervision of full-time part-time and professional staff.

• Management of the Wellbeing Center and outdoor playing fields and courts.

• $2M fee-generated budget.

• Robust fitness and recreation including risk management.

Physical Requirements:

Work Hours Flexibility Ability to work evenings and weekends as required for events programs or meetings.

Mobility Ability to move independently across campus and navigate various recreational facilities including stairs fields and courts for meetings facility oversight and event attendance. This may involve walking and standing for periods of time.

Communication Ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing including clear speech and hearing for conversations in person over the phone and during presentations.

Lifting/Carrying Occasional need to lift carry push or pull light objects and equipment typically weighing less than 50 pounds.

Environmental Conditions:

General Office Environment Ability to work comfortably in a standard office setting utilizing computers and standard office equipment for extended periods. This includes tasks like typing viewing a computer screen and handling documents.

Environment Exposure Ability to work in various environmental conditions including exposure to heat cold dust fumes wet and humid conditions noise and vibration.

Additional Job Description

Time Type Requirement

Note to Applicant:

This position profile identifies the key responsibilities and expectations for performance. It cannot encompass all specific job tasks that an employee may be required to perform. Employees are required to follow any other job-related instructions and perform job-related duties as may be reasonably assigned by his/her supervisor.

In order to provide a safe and productive learning and living community Wake Forest University conducts background investigations and drug screens for all final staff candidates being considered for employment.

Equal Opportunity Statement

The University is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all qualified candidates to apply without regard to race color religion national origin sex age sexual orientation gender identity and expression genetic information disability and military or veteran status.

Accommodations for Applicants

If you are an individual with a disability and need an accommodation to participate in the application or interview process please contact or .