Director of Intercollegiate Athletics and Recreation

Roger Williams University; Bristol (RI); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Roger Williams University seeks a dynamic Director of Athletics and Recreation to lead 25 varsity programs, club sports, intramurals, and campus recreation facilities. The role prioritizes a student‑athlete first approach, academic achievement, wellness, and inclusive community engagement across Bristol and Providence campuses.

The position partners with senior leadership to expand philanthropy, modernize facilities, and elevate school spirit through strategic governance and safety standards.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in a relevant field required.
• 8-10 years of athletic leadership experience in higher education.
• Experience overseeing varsity, club, and recreation programs.
• Strong knowledge of Title IX, liability, NCAA DIII bylaws, and NIL guidelines.
• Excellent communication, organizational and leadership abilities.

Responsibilities

• Budget Administration: direct budgets for varsity, club, intramural, and recreation.
• Fundraising & Resource Development with Institutional Advancement.
• Athletic Communications & Branding: elevate the department's profile.
• Recreation & Wellness Programming to boost student wellbeing.
• Spectator & Game-Day Spirit: turn home events into campus-wide experiences.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Communication

Budget management

Fundraising

Compliance

Coaching oversight

Education

Master's degree

Job description

Company Description:

At Roger Williams University, students are prepared to be thinkers and doers ready to solve challenging problems with innovative solutions. RWU offers 50 majors and robust offerings of graduate and professional programs across eight schools of study including Rhode Island's only law school, with campuses on the coast of Bristol and in the heart of Providence, R.I. With small classrooms and a focus on undergraduate and graduate research and community engagement, a Roger Williams education blends the strength of liberal arts and professional studies, providing all students with the depth and breadth of interdisciplinary thinking and well-rounded knowledge necessary to succeed in our interconnected, global world. RWU is committed to strengthening society through engaged scholarship so that students graduate with the ability to think critically and apply the practical skills that today's employers demand.

Roger Williams University seeks to recruit and support a broadly diverse community of faculty and staff. We value all races, genders, identities, and abilities. RWU is committed to creating a thriving community that encourages lifelong learning, professional development, and academic innovation.

To learn more about Roger Williams University's commitment and support of diversity and inclusion, please visit https://www.rwu.edu/who-we-are/diversity-equity-inclusion

Job Description:

Reporting directly to the Vice President for Student Life, the Director serves as the chief administrative and executive officer for RWU's 25 varsity athletics programs, club sports, intramurals, and campus recreation facilities. The Director champions a "student-athlete first" NCAA Division III philosophy, cultivating an environment centered on academic achievement, personal well-being, leadership development, competitive excellence, and inclusive community engagement. The next Director will be an approachable, ethical, visible, and collaborative leader who integrates athletics and recreation into the broader fabric of university life. Working in close partnership with institutional leadership, University Advancement, Enrollment Management, and Student Life, the Director will expand philanthropic engagement, champion modern compliance and safety standards, modernize athletic and recreation facilities, and elevate school spirit across the university's coastal Bristol and vibrant downtown Providence campuses.

Strategic Priorities for the Director

• Navigate the Evolving Division III & NIL Landscape: Establish progressive operational models that uphold rigorous academic integrity, Title IX equity, and athletic competitiveness amid modern NCAA governance and "Name, Image, and Likeness" developments.
• Philanthropic Expansion & Facility Modernization: In partnership with University Advancement, execute donor engagement initiatives and capital project strategies to enhance athletic training spaces, student‑athlete performance hubs, and recreation facilities.
• Elevate Campus Spirit & Holistic Student Well‑Being: Broaden intramural, club, and fitness engagement across all student demographics, transforming athletic events into unified community gatherings.

Key Operational Responsibilities

• Budget Administration: Direct varsity athletic, club sports, intramural, and recreation budgets within university policy; lead regular reviews with University Finance.
• Fundraising & Resource Development: Partner closely with Institutional Advancement to execute fundraising strategies that elevate student‑athlete success and fund facility modernizations.
• Athletic Communications & Branding: Elevate the department's profile through contemporary storytelling, social platforms, and brand alignment.
• Recreation & Wellness Programming: Enhance recreation, intramural, and club sport operations to cultivate student belonging and wellness.
• Spectator & Game‑Day Spirit: Transform home competitions into vibrant, community‑wide campus events.

Governance, Safety & Compliance

• Modern Compliance Integrity: Maintain a modern compliance program encompassing NCAA, Title IX, Hazing, eligibility, NIL policies, and monitoring systems that prioritize education, equity, community standards and a safe sport culture.
• Conference Governance: Actively participate in NCAA, Conference of New England, Interscholastic Sailing Association and other conference affiliations.
• Recruitment & Enrollment Alignment: Partner with Admissions to attract scholar‑athletes dedicated to academic and competitive excellence.
• Capital Planning & Facilities: Plan, recommend, and coordinate state‑of‑the‑art facility modernizations and maintenance protocols.
• Risk Management & Safety: Oversee team travel safety, sports medicine coordination, emergency response, and fan event safety.
• Personnel Supervision: Direct the ethical mentorship, professional development, and formal evaluation of head coaches and administrative personnel.
• Actively participatein Student Life divisional meetings, initiatives, and strategic planning.

Requirements

Education: Master's Degree in Physical Education, Athletic Administration, Sports Management, or related field required.

Administrative Experience: 8-10 years of substantial athletic leadership experience, including at least 5 years in higher education athletic management.

Broad Program Competency: Demonstrated expertise in coaching and administrative oversight across varsity, club, and recreation programs.

Regulatory Acumen: Strong expertise in Title IX compliance, tort liability procedures, NCAA DIII bylaws, and emerging NIL guidelines.

Core Leadership Skills: Strong communication, organizational, leadership, and decision‑making skills.

Preferred Qualifications

Executive Experience: Experience as an Athletics Director or senior Division III athletics administrator.

Strategic Management: Strategic planning, facilities management, conference governance, and customer service oriented leadership.

Mentorship & Culture: Proven track record of evaluating, mentoring, and developing head coaches and support personnel.

Resource Generation: Demonstrated acumen in major gift athletics fundraising and corporate sponsorship cultivation.

Safety & Wellness: Comprehensive understanding of sports medicine coordination and student‑athlete health protocols.

At the University's discretion, the education and experience prerequisites may be accepted where the candidate can demonstrate, to the satisfaction of the University, an equivalent combination of education and experience specifically preparing the candidate for success in the position.

Additional Information

Roger Williams University is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and committed to a diverse workforce. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or any other basis protected by applicable state and federal law. For information on our Non‑discrimination policy, visit here.

RWU prohibits all forms of discrimination on the basis of sex in its education programs and activities and is required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX) and its implementing regulations not to discriminate in such a manner. Complaints of Title IX sexual harassment should be reported to the Title IX Coordinator at the contact information listed below. Details regarding the formal complaint process can be found here: Title IX Sexual Harassment Policy and Procedures. All complaints of sexual harassment will be taken seriously and responded to promptly. Title IX Coordinator: Dr. Jen Stanley, 1 Old Ferry Road, Bristol, RI 02809 / Phone Number: [phone] /Email Address: [e-mail]

Equal employment opportunity, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.