Assistant Director, Recreation

Assistant Director, Recreation Special Information

• This position is an on‑site position which requires the incumbent to complete their work primarily at an NAU site, campus, or facility, with or without accommodation. Opportunities for remote work are rare.

The Campus Recreation Department at Northern Arizona University provides inclusive, student‑focused programs and services that promote health, wellness, and community. With a wide range of offerings including fitness, intramural sports, outdoor adventures, and sport clubs, the department supports student success through active engagement and personal development.

Reporting to the Director of Campus Recreation, the Assistant Director for Recreation Programs is responsible for the execution and administration of a comprehensive Competitive Sports Program, including intramurals, sport clubs, fitness/wellness program, special events, field/space reservations, and summer youth programs. This position will assist with strategic and budget planning and the completion of assessments and program plans. Occasional night and weekend work may be required.

• 35% – Program Management
  • Direct responsibility for the development, coordination, execution, and evaluation of an all‑inclusive event schedule offering departmental signature events and collaborative events with a range of campus partners.
  • Work directly with other Assistant Directors to coordinate departmental and university events, including weekly meetings, pre‑event planning, equipment acquisition, risk management, event staffing, and post‑event evaluation & follow‑up. Build relationships with clients and customers outside Campus Recreation to promote long–term success.
  • Provide oversight, management, and support to the fitness, sports, and summer youth programs, including staff training and certification, facility reservations, budget development, and special events.
  • Oversee the development, coordination, execution, and evaluation of a comprehensive sports program. Additional oversight includes campus sport‑based special events, external NIRSA tournaments, and collaboration with the Office of Student Life, Student Government, and the Sport Club council.
  • Manage the development, coordination, execution, and evaluation of a comprehensive fitness program, ensuring an inclusive range of offerings through fitness classes and personal training.
  • Lead the development, coordination, execution, and evaluation of a comprehensive summer youth program, including a detailed plan for managing registration, documentation, hiring and training plans, and successful implementation of a robust summer day‑camp program.
• 30% – Staff Supervision
  • Supervise up to three full‑time benefit eligible professional staff and 75+ student employees.
  • Hire, onboard, train, supervise, and evaluate departmental staff.
  • Ensure staff effectiveness in accomplishing departmental goals and objectives.
  • Cultivate a positive working team environment.
  • Ensure compliance with Human Resources policies and procedures.
  • Facilitate staff professional development through intentional training opportunities and campus engagement.
• 25% – Risk Management and Administrative Oversight
  • Assist in the development and revision of policies and procedures, providing support and consistency in the implementation of training manuals and risk management policies for fields/​reservations, special events, intramurals, sport clubs, fitness & wellness, and summer youth programs aligned with departmental and industry‑recognized best practices.
  • Responsible for the development, revision, and evaluation of established mission and value statements, goals, and objectives for each program and service.
  • Responsible for risk management of programs by providing staff oversight in reviewing and ensuring risk management plans are detailed and actively implemented.
• 5% – Fiscal Management
  • Monitor and evaluate budget planning and projections, track program financial data, and reconcile finances for the Competitive Sports, Fitness & Wellness, Reservations, and Summer Youth accounts.
  • Assist the Director in the development of departmental administrative and financial reports and summaries, including peer reviews and benchmark research.
• 5% – Other
  • Other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree in related field.
• 2 years of management or supervisory experience required.
• 3 years of relevant experience.
• A combination of related education, experience, and training may be used as an equivalent to the above Minimum Qualifications.