Executive Director, Campus Recreation
New River Community College, Winston Salem, North Carolina, United States, 27104
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
Reporting to the Associate Vice President for Campus Life & Dean of Students, the Executive Director for Campus Recreation provides visionary leadership, strategic direction, and comprehensive management for the university's campus recreation facilities and programs. This includes fitness, intramural and club sports, outdoor programs, and aquatics. The Executive Director plays a central role in developing and implementing innovative, state‑of‑the‑art programs and services that promote physical fitness and holistic wellbeing among students, faculty, and staff. The Department of Campus Recreation manages extensive facilities, including the WFU Wellbeing Center, playing fields, tennis courts, and other activity spaces. As a member of the Campus Life Leadership Team, the Executive Director contributes to divisional strategy and collaborates with colleagues to position Wake Forest as a national leader in campus recreation and student wellbeing. This role oversees a department with 14 full‑time staff, over 300 part‑time and student staff, and manages a fee‑generated budget over $2 million. *The priority review date for applications is February 18, 2026. 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 department ed membership high (???), etc. 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
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 Full time 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 AskHR@wfu.eduor (336) 758-4700.
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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
Reporting to the Associate Vice President for Campus Life & Dean of Students, the Executive Director for Campus Recreation provides visionary leadership, strategic direction, and comprehensive management for the university's campus recreation facilities and programs. This includes fitness, intramural and club sports, outdoor programs, and aquatics. The Executive Director plays a central role in developing and implementing innovative, state‑of‑the‑art programs and services that promote physical fitness and holistic wellbeing among students, faculty, and staff. The Department of Campus Recreation manages extensive facilities, including the WFU Wellbeing Center, playing fields, tennis courts, and other activity spaces. As a member of the Campus Life Leadership Team, the Executive Director contributes to divisional strategy and collaborates with colleagues to position Wake Forest as a national leader in campus recreation and student wellbeing. This role oversees a department with 14 full‑time staff, over 300 part‑time and student staff, and manages a fee‑generated budget over $2 million. *The priority review date for applications is February 18, 2026. 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 department ed membership high (???), etc. 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
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 Full time 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 AskHR@wfu.eduor (336) 758-4700.
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