Although open until filled, priority application date is January 20, 2025.

As a University of Washington (UW) employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills, and dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world.

UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits, and natural beauty.

UW Recreation has an outstanding opportunity for a Director of Recreation to lead the team.

As an integral part of Student Life, Recreation serves as the convener for a wide range of activities, programs, facilities, and partnerships that support the fitness, health, and well-being of the campus community.

Recreation’s Director will provide strategic leadership in support of campus community wellbeing. They will work in concert with Recreation’s team of approximately 40 permanent and 400 student and temporary employees to create and implement a vision that is consistent with the University and Student Life’s vision and values. Recreation works closely with campus and community partners such as UW Facilities, Housing and Food Services, Intercollegiate Athletics, Student Activities Office, Fraternity & Sorority Life, and many other programs.

Programs within Recreation’s purview include Climbing, Fitness & Wellness, UWild Outdoor Adventures, Gear Garage, Boat Rentals, Rec Clubs, Sports Skills Instruction, Intramurals, and Aquatics. These programs operate within Recreation’s facilities which include the Intramural Activities Building (IMA), Waterfront Activities Center and docks, Golf Range, Sand Volleyball Courts, Chase Anderson Basketball Court, ASWU Shell House, Husky Climbing Rock, Denny Field, and several Sports Fields and Tennis Courts.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership on behalf of Recreation in support of campus community wellbeing.
• Direct new and existing Recreation staff members. Actively engage in direct reports’ (two Associate Directors and one Assistant Director) success in their departmental role and professional development.
• Supervise the employee life cycle (i.e., recruitment, employment, evaluation, and release) of permanent staff and student employees.
• Manage and supervise the overall business and financial operation. Determine strategies to ensure the long-term stability of Recreation. This includes preparing and submitting annual budget requests to the Services and Activities Fee Committee (the University’s student fee committee) in partnership with Student Life leadership.
• Develop and implement facility and program fee structures that meet the goal of long-term stability of Recreation.
• Design and implement comprehensive programs and opportunities that focus on campus community health, fitness, and well-being.
• Design and implement maintenance, safety, and risk management prevention programs and activities for Recreation programs and facilities.
• Develop and implement departmental guidelines, policies, and procedures. Assist with the interpretation and implementation of University and departmental guidelines, policies, and procedures.
• Plan and coordinate Recreation’s capital projects in coordination with Student Life leadership, campus partners, and the UW Campus Master Plan.
• Cultivate and sustain partnerships with University departments and community associations. Through these partnerships encourage and coordinate collaborative programs and activities with other community, University and Student Life departments.
• Engage in regular and systematic assessment and evaluation of Recreation programs, services, and staff, and lead with data driven decisions.
• Activate the UW’s diversity blueprint, as it pertains to Recreation.
• Serve on Student Life and University committees.

Minimum Qualifications

• A master’s degree in college student personnel, higher education administration, recreation, sports management, or related field is required, or an equivalent combination of education and experience from which comparable knowledge and abilities can be acquired.
• Candidates will have six or more years of demonstrated success in and knowledge of a) the organization, function, and purpose of campus recreation programs, b) the development, delivery, and assessment of programs, facilities, and services, c) the fiscal responsibility of various revenue streams, including student funding, university funding, and self-generated revenue.
  
  Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.
  
  ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
  
  
• Ability to communicate complex ideas and strategies in written and oral formats.

About University of Washington

University of Washington Recreation provides safe, accessible, and dynamic recreation experiences to engage students in growth and wellbeing. UW is proud to be one of the nation’s premier educational and research institutions. Our people are the most important asset in our pursuit of achieving excellence in education, research, and community service. Our staff not only enjoy outstanding benefits and professional growth opportunities, but also an environment noted for diversity, community involvement, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits, and natural beauty.

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