Assistant Director for Intramural Sports

Inside Higher Ed; Amherst (MA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

A public land-grant research university in Massachusetts is seeking an Assistant Director for Intramural Sports to plan and supervise intramural activities. The role involves developing new sports programs, managing department staff, and ensuring safety in intramural activities. Ideal candidates will have a Bachelor’s degree and significant experience in collegiate recreation. The position requires availability for evenings and weekends, providing a comprehensive collegiate recreation program to enhance student wellbeing.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree with five years of collegiate recreation full-time equivalent experience including three years post-bachelor's degree.
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
• Ability to plan and prepare presentations/training for diverse populations.
• Ability to manage budgets and purchasing decisions.
• Knowledge of risk management and safety in intramural settings.
• Ability to train and supervise employees.

Responsibilities

• Supervise intramural activities and develop new programs.
• Lead department staff on continuing education strategies.
• Coordinate equipment maintenance for intramural programs.
• Manage risks and update policies regarding intramural activities.
• Administer budget and report on participation stats.

Skills

Effective customer service skills

Ability to establish working relationships

Budget preparation and monitoring

Training and supervising employees

Knowledge of risk management standards

Staff supervision

Risk management knowledge

Education

Bachelor's Degree in relevant field

Master's degree in Sports Management or related

Job description

Assistant Director for Intramural Sports

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About UMass Amherst

The flagship of the Commonwealth, the University of Massachusetts Amherst is a nationally ranked public land-grant research university that seeks to expand educational access, fuel innovation and creativity, and share and use its knowledge for the common good. Founded in 1863, UMass Amherst sits on nearly 1,450 acres in scenic Western Massachusetts and boasts state-of-the-art facilities for teaching, research, scholarship, and creative activity. The institution advances a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community where everyone feels connected and valued—and thrives, and offers a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees across 10 schools and colleges, and 100 undergraduate majors. We believe every member of our university community can contribute to our ongoing success by striving for the highest level of excellence as we seek breakthrough solutions to mounting environmental, social, economic, and technological challenges in our world.

Job Summary

Under the general direction of the Associate Director for Programs and Student Development, this position plans and supervises intramural activities. Areas of focus include designing, implementing and evaluating new intramural sport programs. The Assistant Director works with colleagues to manage a comprehensive collegiate recreation program and assists with the selection and delivery of recreation activities and student employment practices that contribute to student success and wellbeing.

Essential Functions

• Develops and implements policies, procedures, and guidelines, including intramural rule modifications and procedures. Assists in the development of policies and guidelines regarding recreation and wellbeing programs. Develops and assesses learning outcomes for associated participants and student employees.
• Provides leadership for department staff. Implements continuing education strategies for staff and student staff to enhance skills; including, but not limited to, one-on-one meetings, trainings, functional unit meetings, workshops, extramural tournaments, and conference attendance.
• Coordinates, supervises and evaluates a comprehensive maintenance program, including preventative maintenance and repair for intramural equipment. Evaluates and purchases equipment for purchase, repair parts, materials and supplies to meet program and facility needs. Participates in purchasing decisions (rolling capital replacement plan).
• Serves as risk manager for intramural programs. Researches liability issues and risks related to intramural activities and updates policies and procedures, including concussion protocols and return “to” play procedures, to best ensure an appropriate standard of care and safety for participants in intramural programs.
• Develops and administers budget for assigned area. Regularly reports assessment and statistical data pertaining to operations, program participation, and staff development.

Other Functions

• Performs related duties as assigned or required. Understands responsibilities with respect to Title IX, Clery and other compliance requirements.
• Demonstrates capacity, skill, and willingness to engage students and contribute to student success.
• Understands responsibilities with respect to conflicts of interest and behaves in ways consistent both with law and with university policy.
• Contributes toward creating a positive and respectful workplace. Uses access to sensitive and/or not yet public university related information only in the performance of the responsibilities of position and exercises care to prevent unnecessary disclosure to others.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree with five (5) years of collegiate recreation full‑time equivalent experience including three (3) years post‑bachelor's degree; OR Master’s degree including but not limited to Sports Management, Recreation Management, Kinesiology, Exercise Science or Education with three (3) years collegiate recreation full‑time equivalent experience including two (2) years post‑master's degree.
• Ability to demonstrate effective customer service skills; including, but not limited to communicating effectively verbally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Ability to prepare and monitor budget information, including purchasing decisions based on independent research and judgment.
• Ability to plan and prepare presentations/training to diverse populations.
• Ability to prioritize and organize work assignments.
• Ability to train and supervise employees.
• Knowledge and ability to interpret industry standards related to risk management and safety of participants in an intramural and club sports setting.
• Work some nights and weekends as requested.
• Current CPR/First Aid/AED teaching certification; Achieved within six months of employment required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Three (3) years (post degree) intramural or club sport full‑time equivalent experience.
• Training, evaluation, assessment, and management of a comprehensive campus‑based intramural and/or club sports program.
• Certified high school sports referee or higher.

Physical Demands / Working Conditions

• Typical office and Recreation Center environment.
• Ability to lift and move recreation equipment.

Work Schedule

• 37.5 hour per week position; must be available to work evenings and weekends.
• Ability to travel to other Colleges/Universities to attend extramural events, when needed.

Salary Information

Level 27 – PSU Hiring Ranges

Special Instructions to Applicants

Upload your resume, along with your completed application. Our team will check references at the final stage of the interview process. Please be prepared to provide contact information for at least three (3) professional references. This position will remain open until filled or the advertised closing date, whichever occurs first. Early submissions are recommended.

The University of Massachusetts Amherst welcomes all qualified applicants and complies with all state and federal anti‑discrimination laws.

Advertised: Sep 4 2025 Eastern Daylight Time

Applications close: Dec 7 2025 Eastern Standard Time