Associate Director, Campus Recreation

University of Dayton; Dayton (OH); On-site; USD 70,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Dayton seeks an Associate Director to lead Campus Recreation operations, including facilities, member services, fitness, and aquatics for a student population over 10,000. The role emphasizes holistic wellbeing, inclusive excellence, and strategic leadership within a Marianist context.

The successful candidate will provide executive-level leadership, drive program assessment, manage budgets, and develop policies to advance student health and learning.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Recreation Management, Sports Management, Education, Student Development, Business Administration, Higher Education, or related field.
• Five years of progressive professional experience in collegiate recreation programs and facilities.
• Two years of supervision of professional staff or comparable experience.
• Working knowledge of current risk management standards in collegiate recreation.
• Experience collaborating with various constituents; inclusive, participant-oriented environment.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and strategic direction for Campus Recreation operations.
• Oversee facility operations, member services, fitness, and aquatics for 10,000+ students.
• Develop policy, assess programs, and ensure safety and cleanliness.
• Build partnerships and lead professional staff development.

Skills

Leadership

Budget management

Written communication

Attention to detail

Flexible schedule

Collaboration

Inclusive excellence

Project management

Strategic planning

Education

Master’s degree

Tools

Innosoft Fusion

Connect2

TCP/Humanity software

Job description

Job No: 503718
Work Type: Staff Full Time (1500 hours or greater)
Location: Dayton, OH
Category: University Staff
Department: Campus Recreation - 700800
Pay Grade: B - Exempt
Advertised: July 14, 2026
Applications close: Open until filled

Position Summary

Lead. Innovate. Inspire Well-Being.

The associate director provides support to the execution of numerous executive, operational and administrative duties of considerable scope and complexity, in which the ideal candidate will possess excellent initiative, judgment, knowledge, critical thought, and executive level presence. This person is an integral part of the department’s leadership team and consequently plays a vital role in addressing long range and strategic planning, affecting department and divisional initiatives, ensuring operational excellence, cleanliness and safety, developing policy, building partnerships, providing leadership, and inspiring professional and student staff. We are seeking an energetic, action-oriented leader with a history of developing strong interpersonal relationships, leading innovation and growth, and whose passions, strengths, and skills are centered around development.

The ideal candidate for this position will provide leadership, facility management, project management, policy formation, and assessment. Through the provision of leadership and strategic direction, the associate director supports the management of functional areas of Campus Recreation including Facility Operations and Member Services Fitness, and Aquatics that serve a student population of 10,000+, requiring basic knowledge of all areas, which are unique to themselves. The successful candidate for this position will focus on holistic student health, expanding our contributions to the physical, mental, and social wellbeing created through physical activity, while providing access equity to all facility and program participants. The associate director is expected to display a commitment to understand and support the University of Dayton’s distinctive Marianist tradition and educational vision, as well as a willingness to model institutional values of service to others, community, and inclusivity.

Minimum Qualifications

• - Master’s degree in Recreation Management, Sports Management, Education, Student Development, Business Administration, Higher Education, or a related field
• - Five years of relevant and progressive professional experience in administering collegiate recreation programs and facilities, with a strong service and developmental orientation;
• - Two years of supervision of professional staff or comparable experience (i.e. personnel management skills developed through leadership certificate programs; leadership of peers within work teams, etc.);
• - Working knowledge of current risk management standards and practices in collegiate recreation;
• - Experience working collaboratively with various constituents;
• - Evidenced creation of an inclusive, participant-oriented environment, to include familiarity in working with various populations from youth to adults;
• - Experience in budget development and management;
• - Articulated passion for promoting holistic wellbeing and student learning;
• - Excellent written communication skills;
• - Attention to detail; and
• - Ability to work on a flexible basis including occasional evenings, weekends, and on/off campus activities.

Preferred Qualifications

• - Three years of successful supervisory experience of professional staff members with knowledge of human resource management theories and best practices in staff development, group dynamics and motivation techniques;
• - A broad understanding and experience base in collegiate recreation facilities, programs, and services; specifically, those areas in which this position will supervise (facility operations and member services, aquatics, fitness);
• - Current certification as a Certified Pool Operator (CPO);
• - Demonstrated ability to manage multiple initiatives, programs, and responsibilities while ensuring excellence in the provision of direct services;
• - Experience with a multifaceted budget, including general financial management and accountability, data base systems, and spreadsheets;
• - Demonstrated experience in establishing and facilitating strategic goals;
• - Exhibit a strong emphasis on student development philosophy;
• - Ability to articulate collegiate recreation’s role within Student Affairs and higher education;
• - Commitment to the Marianist tradition of education that includes educating the whole person through a learning community of challenge and support; connecting learning to leadership and service; and collaborating for adaptation and change;
• - Demonstrated analytical skills to identify problems, assess alternatives, and render consistent, logical decisions;
• - Demonstrated experience and success in assessing programmatic effectiveness;
• - Ability to write concise, logical, and persuasive reports;
• - Technological proficiency with a strong working knowledge of various computer applications, specifically experienced in Innosoft Fusion, Connect2, and TCP/Humanity software programs;
• - Capacity to independently manage a variety of tasks with frequent interruptions and shifting priorities;
• - Demonstrated integrity, dependability, sound judgment, teambuilding, and resourcefulness to establish and maintain collaborative, positive, and effective working relationships with multiple constituency groups;
• - Demonstrated commitment to inclusive excellence and ability to develop and maintain inclusive environments; possess evidence of multicultural competencies, while advancing diversity through hiring and retaining professionals from a variety of backgrounds; and
• - Ability to thrive in an environment that values high expectations, accountability, servant leadership, and balanced lifestyles, while possessing exceptional verbal communication skills, enthusiasm, positive attitude, and be a self-starter with the ability to instill the same in others.

Closing Statement

Informed by its Catholic and Marianist mission, the University is committed to the dignity of every human being. Informed by this commitment, we seek to increase diversity in all of its forms, achieve fair outcomes, and model inclusion across our campus community. The University is committed to policies of affirmative action designed to increase the employment opportunities of individuals with disabilities and protected veterans in compliance with the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Vietnam Era Veterans'’ Readjustment Assistance Act of 1973.

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. The University does not provide work visa sponsorship for this position.

• Staff Full Time (1500 hours or greater) 1