Associate Dean of Students, Campus Recreation and Sports

Job Summary/Basic Function

The Associate Dean provides visionary leadership for a comprehensive, campus-wide recreation and sports enterprise that advances student engagement, belonging, and success. This position oversees all aspects of Dayton campus recreation-including facilities, fitness, outdoor recreation, adapted recreation, intramural sports, and club sports -while providing strategic oversight of the regional Lake Campus athletics program.

Reporting to the Dean of Students within the Division of Student Affairs the position also holds dotted line accountability to the Vice President for Enrollment Management. The Associate Dean serves as a member of the President's Council and contributes to institutional strategy and decision-making at the highest levels of the University.

The position is responsible for developing and executing a unified student experience model that intentionally integrates campus recreation, intramural sports, club sports, outdoor recreation into a cohesive engagement ecosystem. Particular emphasis is placed on leveraging club sports as a high-impact recruitment and retention strategy, positioning Wright State as a destination for students seeking both competitive and recreational athletic opportunities.

The position serves as a key leader within the Division of Student Affairs and collaborates across academic and administrative units to advance institutional priorities related to the 3 R's: Recruitment, Retention, and Relationships.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in higher education administration, sports management, recreation, or a related field.
• Minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in campus recreation, student engagement, athletics administration, or related areas.
• Demonstrated experience supervising professional staff and managing complex, multi-functional programs.
• Demonstrated success developing and implementing student-focused initiatives that support engagement, retention, and student success.
• Demonstrated ability to lead across multiple functional areas and organizational levels

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in a related field.
• Experience working within or in partnership with NCAA athletic programs, including familiarity with compliance, operations, or student-athlete development.
• Direct experience in a D3 administrative environment.
• Experience managing programs across multiple campuses or locations.
• Experience overseeing both recreation and athletics programming within a higher education setting.
• Demonstrated success advancing initiatives that improve student retention and engagement.
• Experience building community partnerships and leveraging regional assets.
• Experience aligning co-curricular programming with enrollment management strategies.

Essential Functions and percent of time

1. Strategic Leadership & Vision (20%)

• Develop and implement a comprehensive, campus-wide recreation and athletics strategy aligned with institutional and Student Affairs priorities
• Create a unified engagement framework that integrates:
  • Campus Recreation
  • Intramural Sports
  • Club Sports
  • Outdoor Recreation
  • Adapted Recreation
  • Lake Campus Athletics
• Position these areas as core drivers of student belonging, engagement, and persistence.
• Develop and execute a comprehensive club sports strategy that compliments the DI Athletics program and positions club sports as a premier recruitment tool
• Partner with Enrollment Management to:
  • Integrate these areas into recruitment materials, campus visits, and yield strategies
  • Highlight competitive and leadership opportunities for prospective students

2. Program Oversight & Operations (20%)

• Provide executive oversight for all campus recreation programs, including:
  • Fitness and wellness programs
  • Intramural sports leagues and tournaments
  • Outdoor recreation and experiential learning opportunities
  • Adapted recreation programming supporting accessibility and inclusion
• Ensure high-quality, safe, and inclusive program delivery
• Oversee operations of recreation facilities, including staffing, scheduling, and maintenance coordination
• Align program offerings with student interests, emerging trends, and institutional goals

3. Lake Campus Athletics Oversight (20%)

• Provide strategic oversight and direction for the Lake Campus intercollegiate athletics program
• Ensure alignment between Lake Campus athletics and the broader university recreation and engagement strategy
• Support student-athlete success, program growth, and community engagement at the Lake Campus
• Collaborate with Lake Campus leadership to enhance visibility, recruitment, and student experience

5. Campus-Wide Engagement & Partnerships (20%)

• Lead the development of a campus-wide recreational and athletic engagement strategy that connects students across programs and touchpoints
• Establish partnerships with:
  • Academic colleges and faculty
  • Student Involvement & Leadership
  • Residence Life & Housing
  • Student Advocacy
  • Intercollegiate Athletics
• Integrate recreation into first-year experience, orientation, and student success initiatives
• Foster community partnerships to expand experiential and outdoor recreation opportunities

6. Staff Leadership & Organizational Development (10%)

• Provide leadership and supervision for professional and student staff across recreation and athletics programs
• Build a high-performing team focused on innovation, inclusion, and student development
• Promote professional development and succession planning within the department
• Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement

7. Assessment, Finance & Resource Management (10%)

• Oversee budget development and management, including effective use of institutional and fee-based resources
• Identify and pursue external funding, partnerships, and revenue opportunities
• Develop and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) related to participation, belonging, and student success
• Ensure compliance with university policies, risk management standards, and applicable regulations

Core Competencies

• Strategic and systems thinking
• Student-centered leadership
• Collaboration and partnership development
• Data-informed decision making
• Organizational leadership and change management
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills

Working Conditions

Work is performed in a variety of settings, including office environments, recreational facilities, athletic venues, and outdoor environments. Requires evening and weekend hours to support programs, events, and athletic activities. Regular travel between Dayton and Lake Campuses is required. Reliable transportation is required. Must meet University requirements to operate a university vehicle.

First Consideration Date: 04/27/2026

Open Until Filled: Yes

To apply, please visit: https://jobs.wright.edu/postings/22244