Director of Campus Recreation - #004516

Western Carolina University; Cullowhee (NC); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tuition waivers

Free group exercise classes

DiscountedCampus Recreation Center"

Vaccines on campus

Pre-tax flexible spending accounts

12 paid holidays

24 hours of paid community service

Job summary

Western Carolina University seeks a Director of Campus Recreation to lead comprehensive recreation services on campus, guiding intramural sports, fitness, aquatics, outdoor programs, and facility operations.

The role reports to Student Affairs and requires a Master’s in a related field, plus 3+ years of higher-ed leadership. It emphasizes collaboration with health and wellness units and strategic planning to enhance student life.

Qualifications

• Legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship.
• Master's degree in Recreation, Business, Management, Higher Education Student Affairs or related area.
• At least three years of administrative experience in higher education.
• Exceptional organizational, management, leadership, communication, budgeting and interpersonal skills.
• CPR with AED and First Aid certifications required.

Responsibilities

• Oversee recreation programs and services across intramural, club sports, fitness, aquatics and outdoor programs.
• Supervise department operations including facilities and staff.
• Collaborate with Health Services, Counseling Center and Wellness Promotion to promote student wellness.
• Lead long-range planning, budgeting, compliance and program assessment.

Skills

Work authorization

Budgeting

Leadership

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Education

Master's degree in Recreation/Business/Management/Higher Education

Job description

Director of Campus Recreation - #004516

Posting Details

Posting Number: EHRA1130P

Quick Link for Internal Postings: https://jobs.wcu.edu/postings/35467

Classification Title: Director

Working Title: Director of Campus Recreation - #004516

Department: Campus Recreation

Anticipated Hiring Range: Based on qualifications/experience, internal equity, and departmental budget restrictions.

About WCU

Western Carolina University continues to rank high on Forbes 'Best Employers' lists each year. Including:

• 2025 - Ranked 1st in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes 'America's Best Employers by State' list.
• 2024 - Ranking in the top 8.5% on Forbes 'America's Best Midsize Employers' list, WCU was ranked 34 out of the top 400 employers across all industries.
• 2023 - Ranked in the top 20% on Forbes 'America's Best Midsize Employers' list, WCU was ranked 97 out of the top 500 employers across all industries.
• 2022 - Ranked 14th in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes 'America's Best Employers by State' list.

Western Carolina University is the UNC system's westernmost campus and has been consistently ranked as one of the top 15 public regional institutions in the South.

Employees of WCU are provided a comprehensive benefits package as well as other resources, policies and programs to ensure a happy and healthy work/life balance. Benefit eligible employees have access to dental, vision and health insurance plans - eligibility begins on the first of the month following date of hire. Retirement plan contributions begin on the eligibility date following election and include employer contributions for either a defined contribution or a defined benefit plan. Optional disability plans are also available.

Eligible employees have access to tuition waivers for up to three courses per academic year; employee may enroll at any of the constituent UNC System campuses. Also offered are free group exercise classes multiple times per week, a discounted membership to the campus recreation center, free vaccine and booster shots offered on campus, pretax flexible spending accounts, 12 paid holidays and 24 hours of paid community service leave each year. Leave earning employees (staff and 12-month faculty) who work at least half of the working days of their first month of employment will begin accruing vacation and sick leave immediately. Paid parental leave after 12 months of continuous service.

WCU offers an abundance of training and development programs, certifications, workshops and conferences - many of which are offered free of charge.

Position Summary

The primary location of this position is on-site in Cullowhee, NC. This position is designated as being exempt from the State of North Carolina Human Resources Act (EHRA).

The Director oversees recreation programs and services while also supervising the operations of the department, including intramural recreational sports, club sports, fitness, aquatics, outdoor programs, the Campus Recreation Center, the Catamount Disc Golf Course, Reid Pool, the WCU Multiuse Trail system and the recreation fields.

The Director of Campus Recreation works within the Division of Student Affairs' Health and Wellness Unit to provide intentional collaboration with the Health Services, Schlosser Family Center for Counseling and Psychological Services, and Wellness Promotion to provide services and programs that promote individual and community wellness and that encourage students to stay involved, healthy and well.

The Director of Campus Recreation participates in long-range planning and implementation of programs and services, student fee stewardship, data and assessment, division and institution compliance, and assumes other responsibilities as directed by the Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs-Health and Wellness.

Minimum Qualifications

• Interested candidates must already be legally authorized to work in the United States and will not require any immigration sponsorship or support.
• Education: A Master's degree in Recreation, Business, Management, Higher Education Student Affairs or a related area is required.
• Experience: At least three years of successful administrative experience in higher education is required. Requires experience in: recreational programming including the development and implementation of successful programs; working with small and large groups of students in intramural sports, fitness, aquatics, and outdoor programs; managing a large budget; managing recreational facilities; and supervising professional and student staff.
• Skills: Requires exceptional organizational, management, leadership, communication, budgeting and interpersonal skills.
• Certifications: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) with Automated External Defibrillation (AED) and First Aid certification are required.

Preferred Qualifications

• At least three years of experience in recreational programming on the university or college level.
• Experience in managing campus recreational facilities.

Position Type

Permanent Full-Time

Number of Hours Per Week

40

Number of Months Per Year

12

Open Date

09/18/2026

Open Until Filled

Yes

Background/E-Verify

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks.

Western Carolina University uses E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify. Proper documentation of identity and employability are required at the time of employment.

Credential Verification

All new employees are required to have listed credentials/degrees verified within 30 days of employment. All new employees who will be teaching are required to provide official transcripts within 30 days of employment. Transcripts should be provided for the highest earned degree and/or the degree which is being used to satisfy credential/qualification requirements.

EOE

Western Carolina University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; ethnicity; religion; sex; pregnancy; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; national origin; age; disability; genetic information; political affiliation; National Guard or veteran status, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations, and policies, and the policies of The University of North Carolina. Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations in the application and interview process please call [phone] or email at [e-mail].

University Safety

The Western Carolina University Annual Safety Report is available online at University Annual Safety Report or in hard-copy by request at the office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, 227 HFR Administration Building, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7147) or the Office of University Police, 111 Camp Annex, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7301). The report, required of all universities participating in Title IV student financial aid programs, discusses crime statistics, procedures for reporting suspicious or criminal activity, security, police authority, crime prevention strategies, university policies on substance abuse and sexual offenses, workplace violence and fire safety.

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

1. Cover Letter/Letter of Application
2. Resume
3. List of references

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

1. * Do you require sponsorship?
   • Yes
   • No