Executive Director of Recreation Services

Rutgers University-New Brunswick announces a national search for the Executive Director of Recreation Services. The flagship campus of Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Rutgers-New Brunswick is a leading national research university and the state of New Jersey’s preeminent, comprehensive public institution of higher education. With more than 41,000 students and 10,000 faculty members, diversity is one of the greatest strengths of university life at Rutgers-New Brunswick. Recreation Services facilities and programs enhance the campus environment by providing vibrant and inclusive recreational and wellness programs for the entire University community.  

Recreation Services provides and promotes opportunities for learning, interaction, and collaboration to help develop a stronger sense of community and contribute to the total education of students through a variety of fitness and wellness programs. Recreation Services supports and provides a wide range of health and wellness opportunities for learning, growth and leadership on the Rutgers-New Brunswick campus. The Executive Director is responsible for leadership, development and oversight of all recreation services and programs including, but not limited to, 50 Intramural Sports, Fitness/Wellness, Aquatics, 57 Club Sports, Outdoor Adventure and Climbing Wall, Marketing, Promotions, Member Services, Personal Training, Business Operations, Student Development, Equipment Maintenance and Technology Services.  The Executive Director also oversees operation for all recreation facilities located on the 5 campuses of Rutgers-New Brunswick including, but not limited to, 4 large recreation centers, a fitness center, 20 acres of outdoor space, multiple swimming facilities including an Olympic pool and a climbing wall.   

The Executive Director Recreation Services reports to the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Health & Wellness. Overseeing 33 full-time staff, several part-time staff and approximately 600 student employees and an annual budget of $8.1 million, the Executive Director develops and implements strategic planning for recreation within the context of Student Affairs and the University strategic plan.  Working in conjunction with Student Affairs, the Executive Director has senior decision making authority for the Recreation Department. The Executive Director provides visionary leadership overseeing the development of new and maintenance of continuing programs and services to keep pace with the diverse needs and interests of the campus community. The Executive Director, in collaboration with Student Affairs, develops and oversees the budget and fiscal planning of the department and development of new facility initiatives as needed. The Executive Director collaborates with university leaders and departments and serves as an advocate for present and future health, wellness and recreation needs of the campus. The Executive Director serves on campus-wide committees, participates in professional associations and provides a learning-centered environment for students, employees and managers, as well as provides a culture of assessment, innovation and national prominence in collegiate recreational sports, fitness and wellness.  

The Executive Director will have 10 years of progressive experience within a large, complex campus recreation/wellness organization, including experience managing multiple facilities and programs, staff supervision, and budget management in recreational management, or a related field.  A master’s degree in Higher Education, Recreational Management, or comparable academic discipline is required. The Executive Director will be experienced in creating and fostering programs to meet the diverse recreation, health and wellness interests and needs of a large number of constituents in a larger higher education setting, community recreation program, athletic organization or other suitable setting. The Executive Director will have managed operations and be a proficient fiscal steward able to optimize operation of multiple recreation and athletic facilities within a budget. The Executive Director will have been an advocate for and managed new projects, facilities and programs to completion.  Excellent interpersonal, organization, communication, and supervisory skills are required.  

Inquiries, nominations, and applications are invited. Review of applications has begun and will continue until the position is filled. For fullest consideration, applicant materials should be received by March 14. Candidates should provide a resume and a letter of application that addresses the responsibilities and requirements described in the Leadership Profile at www.wittkieffer.com. These materials should be sent electronically via email to Rutgers consultants Sheila Murphy and Lois Lavan at Rutgers-DirectorRecreation@wittkieffer.com. All materials should be submitted electronically. The consultants can be reached by telephone at 630-575-6936.

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

Rutgers University follows a 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 a University, Rutgers recognizes that the diversity of its workforce should reflect the diversity of the State and the students we serve. We strive to cultivate a culture of inclusion at Rutgers – one in which individuals of various backgrounds and belief systems can come together in an environment of mutual respect, learning from each other and becoming better-prepared to participate in an increasingly globalized marketplace of ideas.