Associate Director, Athletics

Home of the McMaster Mara, McMaster University Athletics provides a wide range of sports and recreational activities to students, staff, faculty, alumni, and the greater community with the opportunity to pursue athletic excellence. McMaster’s Athletics department is home to various well‑equipped sports facilities, including a comprehensive fitness center, indoor and outdoor sports fields, swimming pools, gymnasiums, tennis courts, and more. McMaster University has a strong tradition of intercollegiate athletics and is home to several varsity sports teams that competed in various leagues.

Varsity teams at McMaster include basketball, soccer, football, volleyball, cross country, track and field, rugby, swimming, and many other OUA and club teams. The Department of Athletics & Recreation is dedicated to fostering an environment of equity, diversity, inclusion, and anti‑racism, guided by the principles of inclusive excellence. Our commitment is to create a safe, accessible, and welcoming space where we celebrate the diverse identities, backgrounds, and lived experiences that enrich our community.

Athletics and Recreation is seeking a dynamic, people‑first leader to serve as Associate Director, Athletics on a continuing basis. Reporting to the Director of Athletics & Recreation, this senior leadership role is responsible for shaping and delivering a comprehensive, integrated high‑performance sport strategy that supports sustained varsity success at the provincial and national levels. This role will lead the high‑performance sport unit, providing strategic vision, operational leadership, and people‑focused management across varsity programs and integrated athlete support services.

The Associate Director, Athletics works closely with coaches, athletes, staff, campus partners and external sport organizations to create an environment where teams and individuals can perform at their highest level and find success. This is an opportunity for an accomplished sport leader who thrives in complex environments, inspires excellence in others, and is passionate about athlete‑centred, values‑driven performance. The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in advancing McMaster Athletics’ competitive success while strengthening the University’s reputation for excellence, integrity, and innovation.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership and Performance

Lead the development and execution of annual and long‑term sport‑specific performance plans aligned with departmental and university priorities.

Create team and athlete programming and delivery strategies that develop sustained excellence in sport, consistent with and in support of the goals and strategies of the department.

Drive the design and delivery of high‑performance programming that supports sustained competitive excellence.

Establish clear performance targets and KPIs; ensure accountability through regular performance review, evaluation, and support.

Analyze competitive programs and recommend strategic investments in equipment, technology, staffing, and competition.

People and Culture

Foster a high‑performance, inclusive, and athlete‑centred culture grounded in Athletic and Recreation’s values.

Provide strategic leadership to a multidisciplinary team of 20+ staff, including coaches, managers, and integrated athletic support staff, including strength and conditioning professionals.

Oversee all people management functions for the team, including recruitment, onboarding, training and development, performance management, and employee relations, ensuring a high performance culture and alignment with organizational goals.

Operational and Financial Management

Lead strategic planning, operational planning, and budget development across varsity programs.

Make informed decisions and recommendations related to resource allocation, financial sustainability, and long‑term investment.

Implement systems, processes, and data‑driven approaches to enhance program effectiveness and operational efficiency.

Collaboration and Representation

Serve as the primary liaison with U SPORTS, OUA, and peer institutions.

Represent McMaster University at league meetings, committees, and…