Assistant Director, Ritchie Center Operations

This position is being posted in accordance with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act. The University is currently considering a preferred internal candidate for this role. This notice is provided to inform eligible applicants of the opportunity to apply.

At the University of Denver Student Affairs is at the heart of the student journeyempowering every student to thrive academically personally and professionally. Rooted in DUs signature4D Experience our division is committed to fostering holistic development through four dimensions: deepen intellect develop wellbeing discover character and design careers and lives of purpose.

Our work reaches far beyond the classroom. Through dynamic high-impact programs services and experiences offered at both the Denver Campus and the Kennedy Mountain Campus we foster inclusive communities promote health and wellness cultivate exploration engagement and leadership and develop a deep sense of belonging. We are committed to creating a high-touch environment where students and participants connect meaningfully grow confidently and thrive personally and collectively.

As a division we serve the broader DU and Denver community which includes:

• Current DU Students & Families
• Prospective Students & Families
• Faculty & Staff
• Alumni & Donors
• Local Community
• Companies & Organizations
• National Peers & Media

Together we are shaping a vibrant supportive and dynamic campus culture where every student and participant can discover their potential and make a meaningful impact.

The Student Affairs division includes the following units:

• 4D Experience
• Office of External Relations (OER)
• Housing Residential Education and Dining Services
• Driscoll & Community Commons
• Business and Planning
• Student Engagement
• New Student & Family Programs
• Kennedy Mountain Campus
• DU Outdoors
• Wellness & Recreation
• Health & Counseling Center
• Learning Effectiveness Program
• Student Disability Services
• Student Outreach & Support
• Student Rights & Responsibilities
• Veteran & Military Resources
• Office of the Dean of Students

Kennedy Mountain Campus Wellness & Recreation

The Kennedy Mountain Campus Wellness & Recreation department at the University of Denver (DU) is a vibrant and integrative unit that advances the universitys holistic 4D Experiencesupporting intellectual growth well-being character development and purposeful careers and lives. By bridging DUs urban and mountain campuses the department offers immersive wellness and recreational programs that cultivate personal growth resilience and meaningful community engagement.

At the heart of our urban campus the Daniel L. Ritchie Center for Sports and Wellness fosters a championship culture grounded in excellence integrity and connection. Drawing inspiration from the spirit of the Rocky Mountain West our team embraces innovation and builds lasting relationships that serve as a vital link across DUs diverse community.

Nestled beside Roosevelt National Forest the James C. Kennedy Mountain Campus spans 724 acres of breathtaking wilderness. This unique setting provides students with transformative nature-based learning experiences designed to deepen their connection to self others and the natural world. With a focus on leadership character development and holistic well-beingspanning social spiritual and physical dimensionsthe campus is a cornerstone of DUs commitment to experiential education.

Position Summary

The Assistant Director of Ritchie Center Operations provides visible handson leadership for the daily operation promotion and continuous improvement of the Daniel L. Ritchie Center. This role is accountable for driving a highperformance culture that delivers exceptional service safe and efficient operations and consistent excellence across all facilities and programs. Core areas of responsibility include facility rentals and supervision scheduling operations and staffing facility security and access control inspections capital asset management facility usage and related operational functions.

Reporting to the Director of Community Recreation and Ritchie Center Operations and directly supervising the Manager of Ritchie Center Events & Operations and the Aquatics Manager the Assistant Director sets clear expectations builds operational discipline and develops leaders and staff through coaching performance management and continuous feedback. This position reinforces a culture of accountability teamwork and service excellence while ensuring alignment with university divisional and venue goals policies and safety standards.

This role is responsible for delivering a consistently exceptional customer experience for all Ritchie Center participants members and guests by leading frontline operations that shape every interactionfrom parking and facility access to transactions communication safety and personalized service. Through datainformed decisionmaking proactive problemsolving and attention to detail the Assistant Director ensures facilities are welcoming highquality and prepared to meet the needs of a diverse and dynamic community.

The Assistant Director serves as an operational leader during evenings nights and weekends modeling professionalism adaptability and sound judgment in a fastpaced environment. This position summary is not intended to be allinclusive; responsibilities may evolve to meet operational demands support strategic priorities and advance a culture of continuous improvement and high performance.

Essential Functions

Lead Comprehensive Facility Scheduling and Space Planning

• Provide senior leadership for all Ritchie Center scheduling and space utilization to ensure operational excellence fairness and maximum institutional impact. Maintain and continuously optimize multiyear facility calendars; manage and approve all bookings; ensure consistent policy compliance; and proactively balance the needs of Athletics Wellness & Recreation University partners and external clients. Leverage data forecasting and scenario planning to maximize utilization reduce conflicts and support revenue programs and missioncritical priorities.

Drive and Manage Facility Rental Revenue

• Own the endtoend facility rental lifecycle with a resultsdriven mindset from sales strategy and contract development through final approvals and operational handoff. Achieve or exceed established annual revenue targets by cultivating strong internal and external relationships applying sound pricing and scheduling decisions and ensuring clear expectations and seamless transitions to operations staff. Continuously evaluate and improve rental processes to enhance client satisfaction operational efficiency and financial performance.

Oversee Financial Administration for Rentals and Events

• Ensure disciplined financial stewardship by overseeing accurate billing invoicing payments reconciliation and revenue forecasting for all facility rentals and events. Maintain high standards of accuracy transparency and internal controls within scheduling and financial systems. Use financial data to inform decisionmaking identify trends mitigate risk and support both short and longterm operational planning.

Ensure Safe Compliant Facility Operations

• Champion a culture of safety preparedness and compliance across all Ritchie Center venues. Lead proactive risk assessment and mitigation efforts; oversee emergency planning facility inspections and incident documentation; and ensure consistent adherence to health safety and security standards. Model professional judgment and accountability reinforcing staff expectations for vigilance responsiveness and continuous improvement in risk management practices.

Provide Operational Leadership for Facilities and Events

• Provide direct supervision and performance leadership to the Manager of Ritchie Center Events & Operations. Set clear expectations evaluate performance and support professional growth while coordinating complex concurrent events. Maintain high facility quality and service standards and partner effectively with Facilities and other stakeholders on maintenance capital projects and operational improvements that enhance reliability efficiency and customer experience.

Oversee Aquatics Operations and Revenue Programs

• Supervise and coach the Aquatics Manager to ensure consistently safe compliant and highfunctioning aquatics operations. Hold leaders accountable for lifeguard readiness certification compliance and risk management while driving growth in participation and earned revenue through instructional programs certifications and Masters Swimming. Foster innovation staff development and program quality to strengthen both safety outcomes and financial sustainability.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities

Knowledge

• Staff Management: Motivate and build relationships with staff to achieve desired outcome in relation to revenue generation facility safety cleanliness and customer service.
• Customer Service: Engage and strengthen our relationships with students alumni and the Denver community.
• Leadership: Motivate the team to act toward achieving the goals of the Division.

Skills

• Physical Demands: Employee is regularly required to be able to operate work-related equipment. The employee must be able to frequently move about the facility with capability of transporting equipment or objects up to 50 pounds. The employee must be able to effectively communicate verbally with customers and employees of the university.
• Mathematical Skills: Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts percentages and participation statistics. Also familiarity with financial concepts such as budget development/forecasting depreciation contribution margin etc.

Abilities

• Reasoning: Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of variables in situations where only limited standardization may exist. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written oral or schedule form.
• Communication & Organization: Ability to work with the public with tact and judgment. Excellent organizational skills required.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelors Degree in kinesiology sports management health education recreation student affairs or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 2-4 years managing in a sports or recreation facility.
• CPR/AED/First Aid Certification

Preferred Qualifications

• Masters Degree in kinesiology sports management health education recreation administration business administration student affairs or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 4 years experience managing in a sports or recreation facility.
• CPR/AED/First Aid Instructor

Working Environment

• Standard office environment.
• Unexpected interruptions occur often and stress level is moderate to high.
• Noise level is quiet to moderate.

Physical Activities

• Ability to work in front of a computer for extended periods of time.
• Occasionally required to move about the office/campus.

Application Deadline
For consideration please submit your application materials by 4:00 p.m. (MST) June 14 2026.

Special Instructions
Candidates must apply online through to be considered. Only applications submitted online will be accepted.

Salary Grade Number:
The salary grade for the position is 10.

Salary Rate:
The salary rate for this position is $69963.

The University of Denver has provided a compensation range that represents its good faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the time of posting. The University may ultimately pay more or less than the posted compensation range. The salary offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as the qualifications of the selected candidate departmental budget availability internal salary equity considerations and available market information but not based on a candidates sex or any other protected status.

Benefits:
The University of Denver offers excellent benefits including medical dental retirement paid time off tuition benefit and ECO pass. The University of Denver is a private institution that empowers students who want to make a difference. Learn more about the University of Denver.

Please include the following documents with your application:
1. Resume

The University of Denver is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race color religion sex (including sex stereotypes sex characteristics sexual orientation gender identity and gender expression) marital family or parental status pregnancy or related conditions national origin disability or status as a protected veteran. The University of Denver does not discriminate and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race color national origin ancestry age religion creed disability sex (including sex stereotypes sex characteristics sexual orientation gender identity and gender expression) marital family and parental status pregnancy genetic information military enlistment or veteran status and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination under federal state or local law regulation or ordinance in any of the Universitys educational programs and activities and in the employment (including application for employment) and admissions (including application for admission) context as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; the Americans with Disabilities Act; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; the Equal Pay Act; the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act; the Colorado Protecting Opportunities and Workers Rights (POWR) Act; and any other federal state and local laws regulations or ordinances that prohibit discrimination harassment and/or retaliation. For more information please see the University of Denvers NonDiscriminationStatement.

All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory completion of a criminal history background check.