Assistant Director for Campus Recreation and Spirit Initiatives

The University of Lynchburg a private regional university in the beautiful foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Central Virginia is seeking applicants for a full-time Assistant Director for Campus Recreation and Spirit Initiatives position in the Office of Campus Engagement for the division of University Experience and Student Success (UESS).

This position reports to is supervised by and evaluated by the Director of Campus Engagement and/or their designee. The evaluation of work performance will be ongoing and will be carried out by the Director of Campus Engagement and/or their designee. It will include the specific duties and responsibilities of this position description plus employee attitude and general working behavior.

Job Type: Full-Time Exempt (12 Month Benefits Eligible)

Job Purpose: The Assistant Director of Campus Recreation and Spirit Initiatives (ADCRS) serves as a key leader in advancing student success school pride and well-being through inclusive co-curricular programs that promote physical activity leadership development community engagement and campus spirit. Campus recreation and spirit develops implements and assesses a diverse portfolio of recreational and spirit-building programs including intramural and club sports fitness center operations school mascot programing Code Red games and other recreational programs that foster learning and personal growth outside the classroom. The university is looking for a high-energy culture builder who can manage the logistics of a fitness center while also choreographing the emotional experience of being a student.

At the University of Lynchburg we believe that a healthy body supports a sharp mind and that school spirit strengthens community bonds. Grounded in the CAS Standards for Campus Recreation and Student Leadership Programs the ADCRS intentionally designs experiences that cultivate critical learning and development outcomes across cognitive complexity intrapersonal and interpersonal development civic engagement and practical competence. The ADCRS will collaborate with university and community partners to ensure that programs are accessible developmentally appropriate and responsive to diverse student needs.

The ADCRS will provide a safe inclusive and energetic environment that fosters leadership teamwork and lifelong healthy habits. As a mentor the ADCRS will directly supervise one Graduate Assistant (GA) providing them with professional development and guidance in the field of collegiate recreation and spirit programming. The ADCRS will also mentor and supervise student employees and leaders creating opportunities for experiential learning that emphasize equity inclusion and student empowerment.

Aligned with the mission of the Division of University Experience and Student Success the ADCRS is responsible for the strategic development and daily operation of a comprehensive Campus Recreation program and the cultivation of a vibrant Campus Spirit culture. This role manages intramural and club sports oversees fitness center operations and serves as the primary advisor for the university mascot program and tradition-based spirit initiatives. The Assistant Director works to enhance student retention and well-being through high-engagement programming and brand affinity

Specific Job Duties:

1. Intramurals

• Administration of a robust intramural program that covers 3 seasons (fall winter and spring) and includes: contest scheduling; facility scheduling for all games; education on risk management guidelines compliance with University policies and procedures and assistance with fundraising efforts for the program and for teams.
• Design market and execute a diverse calendar of intramural leagues and one-off tournaments (e.g. flag football esports pickleball).
• Plan and coordinate all major school Intramural events such as Turkey Bowl and Bubble Ball.
• Recruit train schedule and evaluate intramural officials supervisors and scorekeepers to ensure fair play safety on specific game rules and risk management issues.

2. Club Sports

• Serve as the primary advisor for student-led club sports; manage travel logistics safety waivers and budget allocations for each organization.
• Meet bi weekly with Club Sport Presidents.

3. Fitness Center & Facilities Management

• Recruit train schedule and evaluate fitness center student staff to ensure safety and upkeep of the fitness centers and equipment.
• Oversee and manage the daily operations of the Turner/Drysdale Fitness Centers ensuring a clean welcoming and functional environment.
• Conduct regular equipment inspections and coordinate repairs or preventative maintenance with external vendors as well as inventory management and control.
• Serve as liaison with the Athletic Department to arrange facility reservations for Intramural games as well as campus wide recreational programs/events.

4. Campus Spirit Initiatives

• Supervise the campus mascot program including recruitment selection training scheduling and performance evaluation of student mascot performers to ensure consistent high-energy representation of University of Lynchburg school pride at campus events athletic contests and community appearances.
• Oversee the maintenance care and inventory of mascot costumes props and related equipment coordinating repairs cleaning and storage to ensure safety longevity and professional presentation.
• Design plan and execute fan experience initiatives for major sporting events including all Code Red Games to enhance school spirit attendance and overall campus energy.
• Develop creative initiatives (e.g. Spirit Fridays swag giveaways student section Hype teams) to increase student pride and institutional loyalty.
• Collaborate with Athletics UESS and event partners to integrate mascot appearances and spirit elements into game-day operations ensuring alignment with University policies risk management guidelines and inclusive practices.
• In collaboration with the Director of Campus Engagement lead the planning for major spirit-based events such as Homecoming Pep Rallies Midnight Madness and more.

5. Leadership & Supervision

• Establishes and implements short and long-range organizational goals objectives policies and operating procedures for Campus Recreation and Spirit Initiatives monitors and evaluates operational effectiveness and effects changes required for improvement.
• Hire supervise and mentor one Graduate Assistant assigning projects that align with their career goals and the departments needs.
• Hire train and evaluate student employees for the Turner/Drysdale Fitness Centers as well as Intramural officials and supervisors
• Meet bi weekly with the student IM Supervisors and Fitness Center Supervisor.
• Transform student employment into a leadership laboratory teaching transferable skills like conflict resolution and time management.
• Provide leadership budget management and strategic planning in the development and implementation of programs designed to provide for the intramural club sport recreational and fitness needs of the campus community.
• Manages the budget for the Turner/Drysdale Fitness Center and Intramural/Campus Recreation which includes payroll management for student employees.
• Responsible for marketing and promotion of all Intramural/Club Sport/Spirit activities Fitness Centers special events and other recreational opportunities including working with Marcom on the management of the Campus Recreation website and other social media outlets.
• Track and record usage numbers for all facilities rooms and equipment in the Turner/Drysdale Fitness Centers updating the information for Board Reports Mid-Year Report in December End of Year Report in May and ongoing UESS and Portfolio updates.
• Maintain data on student participation in Intramurals/Club Sports and other campus recreation programs offered in Turner/Drysdale Fitness Centers.

6. Collaboration and Support

• Collaborate with colleagues in the Office of Campus Engagement (OCE) UESS and Athletics to coordinate the half-time activities/events during Code Red games and Midnight Madness.
• Collaborate with other colleagues in the Office of Campus Engagement to support other OCE programs and initiatives.
• Collaborate with the Community Development unit and other campus partners to identify and facilitate the renewing of former UL traditions and the creation of new UL traditions.
• Collaborate with campus partners to support and participate in New/Returning/International Student Move-in SOAR and Orientation Programs Hornet Days etc.
• Collaborate with other departments within UESS and other campus partners including Operations Inclusive Excellence Athletics and the Center for Career Engagement Opportunities to assist with the development of a full and positive campus life.
• Work to establish partnerships with the Lynchburg and surrounding communities for recreational and community-outreach initiatives.
• Serve on University committees as interested appropriate and/or requested.
• Perform any other related duties as may be required.

Experience/Skills:

• Excellent English-language oral reading and writing skills
• Sound mathematical skills necessary for assessment
• Maintain a high level of confidentiality.
• The CCRS will handle many confidential documents and will have access and the ability to place holds on student records through the University Registrar. The individual will also have access to class schedules grades transcripts and conduct records. Knowledge and strict adherence to federal privacy laws is required
• Accuracy attention to detail and timeliness in fulfillment of all work responsibilities and endeavors
• Ability to convey difficult information with tact sensitivity and composure
• Ability to collect and evaluate information and to think critically for sound decision making
• Accurate effective and prompt responses to emergencies

Physical Demands:

• Daily sedentary desk work and computer use for logistical planning
• Occasional stooping kneeling bending lifting and carrying of equipment or materials.
• Capability to perform regular physical inspections of fitness equipment.
• Ability to participate in physically active campus events involving long periods of standing walking and the occasional lifting or moving of equipment
• Ability to handle and transport mascot costumes props and supplies.

Required Qualifications:

• 13 years of professional experience in campus recreation (graduate assistantship experience counts) or related field including experience in training sports officials supervising and training student employees facilities management and planning and implementing as well as other programming activities.
• Experience in supervising either undergraduate or graduate staff..
• Current CPR/AED and First Aid certification (or ability to obtain within 30 days of hire).
• Availability to work nights and weekends when needed in order to ensure a quality student experience.

Preferred qualifications:

• Certified Student Affairs Educator (CSAEd) or specialized fitness certifications (e.g. NASM-CPT ACSM-EP).
• Campus leadership experience including developing a highly functioning team.
• Visibility and engagement on a national level and the ability to bring best practices to Lynchburg.
• Knowledge of higher education legal requirements emergency response and counseling.
• Knowledge of student development theories and current best practices in student affairs.
• An understanding of the unique needs of Generation Z with particular attention paid to their mental health needs.
• Evidence of training in JEDI practices and implementing equity-minded decisions.
• Masters degree in student personnel administration higher education recreation sports management or related field is required.

Education:

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