Director of Campus Recreation

The University of New Mexico (UNM) and the Division of Student Affairs are seeking an experienced, strategic, motivated, organized, and equity-minded professional to join a team of passionate, student-centered leaders as the Director of Campus Recreation. This is an especially exciting time to join the Division as we advance our 2025-2030 strategic plan, Innovating the Student Experience, which positions Student Affairs to be a global leader in providing an innovative, equitable, and culturally responsive student experience grounded in a strong sense of place and tradition.

Under the direction of the Executive Director for Student Resources, the Director of Campus Recreation provides visionary leadership and strategic oversight for all aspects of Recreational Services-a University enterprise dedicated to delivering recreational and wellness programs for students, staff, and faculty. In alignment with the Division's strategic goals around holistic wellness, belonging, and cultivating a student-ready campus environment, this position plays a critical role in fostering collaborative environments and high-impact programs that promote learning, teaching, personal development, and overall well-being.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership and Strategy

• Establish and implement short- and long-range goals, objectives, and strategic plans for Recreational Services.
• Develop policies and initiatives that ensure cost-effective use of University facilities for recreational programming.
• Monitor and evaluate programmatic and operational effectiveness, implementing improvements as needed.
• Provide continued training and professional development for staff and students.

Facility Oversight

• Direct the use of Johnson Center as a shared-use facility, ensuring compliance with policies for academic, recreational, athletic, and special events.
• Oversee aquatic, field, and court facilities, ensuring effective operations, maintenance, and integration into University programming.

Program Management

• Provide strategic oversight for intramurals, club sports, fitness and wellness, aquatics, outdoor programs, open recreation, and student leadership development.
• Initiate and modify programs to enhance quality services and maximize participation.

Fiscal and Administrative Management

• Oversee day-to-day fiscal operations, including budget development, cost analysis, and reporting.
• Design and maintain an organizational structure to achieve departmental goals; recruit, train, supervise, and evaluate staff.

Collaboration and Representation

• Serve on University committees and contribute to policy development.
• Represent the University to internal divisions and external stakeholders, including agencies, vendors, and the public.

Resource Development

• Plan and implement strategies for generating revenue and resources.
• Compile and report participation and facility usage statistics; recommend enhancements to increase engagement.

This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of recreational and wellness programming at the University, impacting thousands of students, faculty, and staff. If you are a strategic leader passionate about student engagement and community well-being, we invite you to apply.

About the Division of Student Affairs

The Division of Student Affairs is comprised of student-centered units and services dedicated to advancing the quality, cohesiveness, and cultural relevancy of the student experience on the Albuquerque campus and beyond.

About The University of New Mexico

UNM is a highly research-intensive, R1 public research university, with an enrollment of approximately 24,000 students located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, which enjoys nearly 300 days of sunshine annually. At UNM, we proudly hold Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) status and enroll the highest percentage of American Indian students relative to our R1 peers. UNM is an important driver of equity lifts in New Mexico; 46% of recent graduates are the first generation in their families to earn baccalaureate degrees.

Benefits and Work-Life Balance

As an employee of UNM, being a Lobo means access to a robust benefits package, extensive resources, and a variety of perks-from discounted event tickets to tuition remission. We foster work-life balance through comprehensive employee wellness programs, paid parental leave and more.

See the Position Description for additional information.

• Employees in this job title are subject to the terms and conditions of an employment contract. Employment contracts are typically subject to review and renewal on an annual basis.
• Must pass a pre-employment criminal background check.
• Employees who provide services or work in patient care or clinical areas are required to be in compliance with the University's influenza vaccination requirement.

Bachelor's degree; at least 7 years of experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified.

Completed degree(s) from an accredited institution that are above the minimum education requirement may be substituted for experience on a year for year basis.

• Master's degree in Recreational Management, Sports administration, higher education or related field preferred.
• Significant experience in recreational services leadership, facility management, and program development.
• Strong fiscal management skills and experience with budget oversight.
• Demonstrated ability to lead diverse teams and foster collaborative partnerships.

Only applications submitted through
the official UNMJobs site will be accepted. If you are viewing this job
advertisement on a 3rd party site, please
visit UNMJobs to submit an application.

Positions posted with a Staff Type of Regular or Term are eligible for the Veteran Preference Program. See the Veteran Preference Program webpage for additional details.

The University of New Mexico is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class.

The University of New Mexico requires all regular staff positions successfully pass a pre-employment background check. This may include, but is not limited to, a criminal history background check, New Mexico Department of Health fingerprint screening, New Mexico Children, Youth, and Families Department fingerprint screening, verification of education credentials, and/or verification of prior employment. For more information about background checks, visit https://policy.unm.edu/university-policies/3000/3280.html. Refer to https://policy.unm.edu/university-policies/3000/3200.html for a definition of Regular Staff.