Director of University Recreation

Months Per Year:
12

Work Model:
Onsite

Position Description:

The Director of University Recreation is a highly visible campus leader responsible for advancing student wellbeing, belonging, engagement, and holistic development through a comprehensive portfolio of recreation, fitness, outdoor, aquatics, and competitive sports programs. This position provides strategic vision and leadership for one of the university's most dynamic student-facing operations and serves as a key partner in advancing Seattle University's mission to educate the whole person.

The Director leads a multifaceted recreation enterprise that includes two recreation facilities totaling more than 180,000 square feet, an aquatics program with two pools, a comprehensive fitness program, competitive sports including intramural sports and more than 15 sport clubs, outdoor recreation programs, and a workforce of more than 100 student employees. The Director oversees a team of professional and graduate staff, manages significant operating and capital resources, and serves as a collaborative leader across the university.

Leadership & Administration: 45%

• Lead, inspire, develop, and hold accountable a high-performing team of professional staff, graduate assistants, and student employees while fostering a culture of excellence, innovation, belonging, and continuous improvement.
• Plan, administer, manage, and reconcile departmental budgets.
• Develop and implement strategies to increase revenue generation across programs and facilities, including aquatics, memberships, fitness services, rentals, certifications, and fee-based instructional programs.
• Identify and expand new revenue streams to support long-term program sustainability and facility enhancement.
• Lead the evaluation, implementation, and ongoing management of recreation technology systems, including access control, scheduling platforms, member engagement tools, and departmental reporting infrastructure.
• Develop and present evidence-based budget requests to institutional leadership using program utilization data, peer benchmarking, and long-range financial modeling; advocate for funding levels that reflect the full scope of UREC's mission and community demand.
• Develop and execute short and long-term financial strategies including revenue forecasting, and planning for operating and capital budgets.
• Ensure compliance with all university budget and purchasing policies.
• Develop and operationalize a staffing plan that meets the needs of the department while adhering to the annual budget allocation.
• Develop strategic plans, goals, and measurable objectives for University Recreation.
• Respond to and resolve escalated member complaints and maintain accurate complaint records.
• Administer, develop, implement department policies, procedures, and risk management practice

Strategic Leadership: 25%

• Provide visionary leadership for the future of university recreation at Seattle University, identifying opportunities for innovation, growth, enhanced student engagement, and operational excellence.
• Serve as a key leader within Student & Campus Life, contributing to divisional priorities, student success initiatives, and university-wide strategic planning efforts.
• Develop and operationalize a strategic plan to revise and elevate UREC operations and programs based on national best practices in the Seattle University context.
• Partner with UREC staff, Student & Campus Life team, and campus colleagues to ensure collaborative programming and operations.
• Solicit and respond to survey feedback from UREC constituents to enhance the user experience.
• Promote UREC programs and services to students, faculty, staff, and alumni.
• Advance equity, inclusion, and belonging within UREC by developing programs, policies, and practices that affirm the identities and needs of all community members, with particular attention to historically underrepresented and marginalized populations.
• Actively collaborate with faculty across academic programs to develop curricular and co-curricular partnerships, including course-embedded recreation experiences, wellness-integrated learning, research collaborations, and practicum or internship opportunities.
• Engage in intentional partnerships with academic deans, departments, and faculty committees to align UREC initiatives with institutional learning outcomes and wellbeing goals.
• Serve as a visible campus leader who, along with the UREC staff, regularly engages with campus events, student programs, faculty gatherings, and university initiatives beyond UREC facilities.
• Collaborate with a variety of campus and academic partners, including Athletics, the Center for Student Involvement, Housing & Residence Life, the MOSAIC Center, Orientation Programs, Wellness & Health Promotion, and others to ensure the delivery of programs and services that meet the holistic needs of a diverse community.
• Participate in Student & Campus Life team and campus committees as directed by supervisor.
• Represent the team and the university to external constituents, including regional and national-level professional associations.
• Foster a culture of professional growth and continuous learning by supporting staff participation in NIRSA, NASPA, and other professional associations; facilitating ongoing training in risk management, inclusion, and emerging best practices; and modeling reflective and values-driven leadership.

Facilities Management: 15%

• Provide strategic oversight of one of the university's largest student-facing physical assets, ensuring facilities are safe, welcoming, financially sustainable, and aligned with evolving student and community needs.
• Develop, negotiate, and maintain formal shared-use agreements and operational protocols with Athletics, academic departments, and external user groups governing scheduling, supervision responsibilities, liability, and risk management in shared facilities.
• Oversee a comprehensive departmental risk management program including emergency action plans, incident documentation, participant waivers, staff certification requirements, and facility safety compliance across all UREC programs and spaces, with particular attention to aquatic operations and shared-use environments.
• Supervise the operations, equipment, and maintenance needs of the 180,000 square foot Redhawk Center & Eisiminger Fitness Center, including 2 pools, a full-service fitness center, courts, functional training spaces, multi-purpose gym, locker rooms, and other spaces.
• Develop and facilitate long-range planning for facility enhancements and preventative maintenance plans via asset inventory practices.
• Work closely with Facilities and vendors to respond to annual and incidental equipment and facility maintenance needs.

Assessment & Planning: 10%

• Oversee the department's efforts to assess the quality and effectiveness of programs and services.
• Develop and oversee implementation of new programs and services as indicated by student/member feedback.
• Stay attuned to best practices and emerging research and continually evaluate the department to ensure it meets or exceeds professional standards.
• Design and implement a comprehensive departmental assessment plan that includes participant satisfaction, program learning outcomes, facility utilization data, and benchmarking against peer institutions and CAS standards.

Other Duties Assigned: 5%

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in recreation administrator or other comparable program and a minimum of three years previous experience administering an educational program, or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above.
• Evidence of ability to provide leadership and problem-solving skills in analyzing recreation needs of emerging adults, especially college students.
• Demonstrated experience supervising and developing professional staff and graduate students.
• Strong oral and written communication skills, including presentations and group facilitation.
• Availability to work occasional evenings and weekends.
• All candidates must show a demonstrated commitment to diversity and the university's mission, vision and values.
• All positions at Seattle University require a criminal history background check.
• First Aid/CPR/AED Certification required within 90 days of hire and maintained throughout employment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in recreation administration, higher education/student affairs, or a closely related discipline.
• Five years of full-time professional experience, preferably in a higher education setting, with previous experience in administering a campus recreation program, or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above.

Application Instructions

Please attach a cover letter with your resume when applying. Job postings are open until filled, unless otherwise specified.

Compensation at a Glance

$88,000 - $92,750

Seattle University 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 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, and not based on a candidate's gender or any other protected status.

Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. Seattle University provides generous leave, health plans, and retirement contributions that add to your total compensation package.

Benefits at a Glance

Consistent with its fundamental Jesuit values, Seattle University offers a wide range of benefits designed to care for the whole person. Choose from three different medical plans, a dental, and vision insurance programs. Protect your income with life, short & long-term disability coverage. Plan for your future with up to a 10% employer contribution for retirement benefits, comprised of a 5% nonelective employer contribution and an additional dollar-for-dollar match of your voluntary contributions up to a maximum of 5%. You may also take advantage of 100% paid tuition benefits for the employee and dependents, a subsidized transportation benefit, a wellness program with free access to an onsite fitness facility, and a wide variety of campus events. Enjoy a generous holiday schedule, including a paid Holiday break closure in December, vacation and paid sick leave, and paid community service leave. For more information explore the Benefits website at: https://www.seattleu.edu/hr/benefits/

Positions designated as hybrid eligible may offer the opportunity for a hybrid work schedule after successful completion of an introductory period of 3-6 months. In these cases, the role typically begins fully on campus to support onboarding and training, with the potential to transition to a hybrid arrangement thereafter.

Positions designated as on-site are not eligible for hybrid work and are expected to remain fully on campus.

All flexible work arrangements are subject to periodic review and may be modified or discontinued at any time at the university's discretion.