Senior Director Athletics and Recreation

University of Guelph; Guelph; On-site; CAD 241,185 - 269,646; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive employee wellness package

Job summary

The University of Guelph is seeking a Senior Director of Athletics and Recreation to provide strategic leadership and operational oversight. This role involves managing a budget exceeding $14M and overseeing a large staff. The ideal candidate should demonstrate experience in sports-related programming, financial acumen, and team leadership capabilities.

Applicants should hold a degree at the undergraduate or master's level. The position includes a target salary range of $169,481 – $189,481 USD and a comprehensive wellness package.

To apply, submit your resume and cover letter to Jane Griffith or Caroline McLean.

Qualifications

• Proven management experience in sports-related programming or services.
• Experience managing large and complex budgets.
• Demonstrated team leadership in various environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead an operating budget exceeding $14M.
• Oversee about 66 full-time staff and 800 part-time staff.
• Develop programming across multiple departments.

Skills

Management experience in sports-related programming

Strong financial acumen

Team leadership

Strategic thinking

Knowledge of compliance and risk management

High emotional intelligence

Education

Degree at undergraduate or master's level

Job description

Location: Guelph, ON, CA, N1G 2W1

Primary Category Page: Staff and Management
Division: Athletics
Requisition ID: 2564

Overview

The University of Guelph Department of Athletics & Recreation invites applications for Senior Director, Athletics and Recreation, beginning late Summer 2026 or soon thereafter. The Senior Director reports to the Vice‑Provost, Student Affairs and provides strategic leadership and operational oversight of a comprehensive Athletics and Recreation portfolio that supports student engagement, well‑being and institutional reputation.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, manage and grow an operating budget exceeding $14M and a capital renewal budget of approximately $2M.
• Oversee an organization of about 66 full‑time staff and 800 part‑time staff, as well as 4,000 youth community participants and summer camp programs.
• Develop and implement programming across Recreation and Programming, High‑Performance Sport, Marketing, Communications & Events, Facility Development & Management, Finance & Administration, Human Resources, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion and Alumni Engagement.
• Ensure all programs align with the university’s academic mission and uphold anti‑racist, accessible, inclusive, trauma‑informed, and safety‑focused principles.
• Partner with the Student Affairs Leadership Team to advance division‑wide strategy, staffing, budget and policy planning.
• Manage high‑profile strategic initiatives related to revenue generation, fundraising, donor stewardship and philanthropy in alignment with departmental and university priorities.
• Provide leadership on equity‑related strategy, policy implementation and complex issues, including Indigenization, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion case management and investigations.
• Represent Athletics & Recreation at the community, provincial and national levels, supporting collaboration and accountability.

Qualifications

• Proven management experience in sports‑related programming or services, including oversight of recreational and high‑performance sports.
• Strong financial acumen with experience managing large and complex budgets.
• Need degree at undergraduate or master’s level, with university attendance experience considered an asset.
• Demonstrated high‑performing team leadership in both unionized and non‑unionized environments.
• Systems‑level strategic thinking and operational translation skills.
• Deep knowledge of regulatory compliance, risk management, ethics, inclusive practices and academic success in a post‑secondary context.
• High emotional intelligence, self‑awareness, empathy and ability to build trust and credibility.

Salary & Benefits

Classified as P13 on the Professional and Managerial Salary Grid. Target range: $169,481 – $189,481 USD, commensurate with experience.

Compensation includes a comprehensive employee wellness package, available for review at the following URL: https://careers.uoguelph.ca/content/Wellbeing/.

Work Environment

On‑site staffing with flexibility for occasional evening and weekend duties. Flexible Work Arrangement possible subject to departmental approval.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Guelph welcomes applications from all qualified individuals, including women, Indigenous persons, racialized persons, persons with disabilities and persons of all sexual orientations and/or gender identities. All qualified candidates are welcome to apply; however, priority will be given to those legally eligible to work in Canada.

Contact & Application

To apply, submit a resume and cover letter in confidence to Jane Griffith ([e-mail]) or Caroline McLean ([e-mail]). Additional information is available at the following URL: https://griffithgroup.ca/uofg-senior-director/.

The University of Guelph and Griffith Group are committed to an inclusive, accessible and welcoming hiring process that provides reasonable accommodation to all applicants. Please advise Jane Griffith should you require any accommodation to participate in the recruitment and assessment processes.