Founded in 1766, Rutgers University–New Brunswick (Rutgers) stands among America’s highest-ranked, most diverse public research universities. It is a member of the Association of American Universities and the Big Ten Academic Alliance. An academic, health, and research powerhouse and a university of opportunity, Rutgers is dedicated to teaching that meets the highest standards of excellence, conducting research that breaks new ground, and providing services, solutions, and clinical care that help individuals and the local, national, and global communities where they live. Today, more than 43,000 students attend Rutgers from over 120 countries, all 50 states, and all 21 New Jersey counties. Rutgers–New Brunswick is created by the eclectic atmosphere across five distinct campus centers: Busch Campus, College Avenue Campus, George H. Cook Campus, Douglass Campus,  and Livingston Campus. Students enjoy the mix of eateries, housing, and study and academic spaces on each campus.

Rutgers Recreation manages recreational facilities on each campus/location, and each facility has its own combination of aquatic, outdoor, and/or fitness amenities.

• Sonny Werblin Recreation Center (Busch Campus)
• College Avenue Gym
• Cook/Douglass Recreation Center
• Livingston Recreation Center
• Rutgers Fitness Center (Easton Ave)

Rutgers University is seeking a visionary and dynamic executive director of recreation. The executive director provides visionary leadership, innovation, and senior decision-making for recreation services and facilities on the Rutgers-New Brunswick campus. The executive director fosters a strong partnership between the five centers across the four campuses, promoting each in a unified, cohesive, and meaningful manner and cultivating a consistent, high-end student and patron experience.

Reporting to the assistant vice chancellor for health & wellness within the Division of Student Affairs and serving on the divisional Administrative Leadership Team, the executive director provides visionary and strategic leadership, supervision, and management of recreation programs and facilities, including Intramural Sports, Fitness/Wellness, Aquatics, Club Sports, Outdoor Adventure and Climbing Wall, Marketing, Promotions, Facility Reservations and Rentals, Member Services, Personal Training, Business Operations, Facility Management, Student Development, Human Resources, Building Services, Equipment Maintenance, Technology Services, Field Maintenance, and all other aspects of recreation within the University. The executive director will play a central role in developing inclusive, accessible, and creative state-of-the-art programs and services that contribute to the comprehensive education of students, promoting opportunities for learning, interaction, and collaboration to help develop a stronger sense of community, engagement, and belonging.

The executive director oversees comprehensive strategic planning, goal setting, and assessment initiatives and implements best practices related to wellness and campus recreation; develops and maintains risk management protocols for all recreation activities and programs following best practice models of NIRSA- Leaders in Collegiate Recreation professional association best practices; provides a learning-centered environment for students and student employees/managers, as well as creating a culture of assessment and innovation; and develops and oversees budget and facilities planning for the department, including support for new and/or major capital plan improvements and associated funding models ensuring that Rutgers is a national leader in collegiate recreational sports, fitness, and wellness. The executive director builds and maintains collaborative relationships with university leaders and units, including Academic Affairs, Athletics, and Development; serves as an advocate for both present and future recreation and wellness needs of the campus; serves on and leads campus-wide committees; and participates in professional associations and meetings at the local, state and national level.

The executive director is responsible for comprehensive and dynamic department oversight of 28 full-time staff, several part-time staff, approximately 600 student employees, and a operating budget of $8.6 million.

Minimum qualifications include a bachelor’s degree in a wellness- or recreation-related field, ten or more years of progressive experience managing a dynamic campus recreation/wellness organization, including experience with multiple facilities and programs, staff supervision, budget management, and a valid driver’s license. A master’s degree in a related field, engagement in NIRSA- Leaders in Collegiate Recreation professional association, and certifications in First Aid, CPR, and Pool Operation are preferred. The successful candidate will have a proven ability in leading organizational transformation, with a capacity to effect change in the institutional culture and operations; demonstrated knowledge of the importance of health, wellness, recreation, and fitness to a campus community as well as an understanding of the theories, principles, and practices of student development and higher education administration; and strong communication, organizational, fiscal, and relationship building skills with the ability to work collaboratively with key campus and community partners. A demonstrated commitment and orientation toward equity and inclusion and cultural competency in all aspects of campus life will be essential in selecting the next executive director of recreation.

Review of applications will begin Friday, February 10, 2023, and continue until the position is filled. A resume with an accompanying cover letter may be submitted via the Spelman Johnson website at www.spelmanjohnson.com/open-positions. Nominations for this position may be emailed to Dell Robinson at ddr@spelmanjohnson.com or Anne-Marie Kenney at amk@spelmanjohnson.com. Applicants needing reasonable accommodation to participate in the application process should contact Spelman Johnson at 413-529-2895.

The anticipated hiring range is $150,000 to $170,000 annually.

Rutgers University requires all prospective employees to provide proof that they are fully vaccinated and have received a booster (where eligible) against COVID-19 prior to commencement of employment unless the University has granted the individual a medical or religious exemption. Employees who are not eligible for a booster at the time of an offer of employment must provide proof they have received a booster upon eligibility and upload proof of same. Under Policy 100.3.1 Immunization Policy for Covered Individuals, if employment will commence during Flu Season, Rutgers University may require certain prospective employees to provide proof that they are vaccinated against Seasonal Influenza for the current Flu Season unless the University has granted the individual a medical or religious exemption. Additional infection control and safety policies may apply. Prospective employees should speak with their hiring manager to determine which policies apply to the role or position for which they are applying. Failure to provide proof of vaccination for any required vaccines or obtain a medical or religious exemption from the University will result in the rescission of a candidate's offer of employment or disciplinary action up to and including termination.

Visit the Rutgers University website at https://www.rutgers.edu/.

It is university policy to provide equal employment opportunity to all its employees and applicants for employment regardless of their race, creed, color, national origin, age, ancestry, nationality, marital or domestic partnership or civil union status, sex, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, disability status, liability for military service, protected veteran status, affectional or sexual orientation, atypical cellular or blood trait, genetic information (including the refusal to submit to genetic testing), or any other category protected by law. As an institution, we value diversity of background and opinion and prohibit discrimination or harassment on the basis of any legally protected class in the areas of hiring, recruitment, promotion, transfer, demotion, training, compensation, pay, fringe benefits, layoff, termination or any other terms and conditions of employment. For additional information, please see the Non-Discrimination Statement at the following web address: http://uhr.rutgers.edu/non-discrimination-statement