Director of Campus Recreation

• 2025 – Ranked 1st in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes 'America's Best Employers by State' list.
• 2024 – Ranking in the top 8.5% on Forbes 'America's Best Midsize Employers' list, WCU was ranked 34 out of the top 400 employers across all industries.
• 2023 – Ranked in the top 20% on Forbes 'America's Best Midsize Employers' list, WCU was ranked 97 out of the top 500 employers across all industries.
• 2022 – Ranked 14th in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes 'America's Best Employers by State' list.

Western Carolina University is the UNC system's westernmost campus and has been consistently ranked as one of the top 15 public regional institutions in the South.

Employees of WCU are provided a comprehensive benefits package as well as other resources, policies and programs to ensure a happy and healthy work/life balance. Benefit eligible employees have access to dental, vision and health insurance plans – eligibility begins on the first of the month following date of hire. Retirement plan contributions begin on the eligibility date following election and include employer contributions for either a defined contribution or a defined benefit plan. Optional disability plans are also available.

Eligible employees have access to tuition waivers for up to three courses per academic year; employee may enroll at any of the constituent UNC System campuses. Also offered are free group exercise classes multiple times per week, a discounted membership to the campus recreation center, free vaccine and booster shots offered on campus, pretax flexible spending accounts, 12 paid holidays and 24 hours of paid community service leave each year. Leave earning employees (staff and 12-month faculty) who work at least half of the working days of their first month of employment will begin accruing vacation and sick leave immediately. Paid parental leave after 12 months of continuous service.

WCU offers an abundance of training and development programs, certifications, workshops and conferences – many of which are offered free of charge.

Position Summary: The primary location of this position is on-site in Cullowhee, NC. This position is designated as being exempt from the State of North Carolina Human Resources Act (EHRA).

The Director oversees recreation programs and services while also supervising the operations of the department, including intramural recreational sports, club sports, fitness, aquatics, outdoor programs, the Campus Recreation Center, the Catamount Disc Golf Course, Reid Pool, the WCU Multiuse Trail system and the recreation fields.

The Director of Campus Recreation works within the Division of Student Affairs' Health and Wellness Unit to provide intentional collaboration with the Health Services, Schlosser Family Center for Counseling and Psychological Services, and Wellness Promotion to provide services and programs that promote individual and community wellness and that encourage students to stay involved, healthy and well.

The Director of Campus Recreation participates in long-range planning and implementation of programs and services, student fee stewardship, data and assessment, division and institution compliance, and assumes other responsibilities as directed by the Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs-Health and Wellness.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required for this position:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Interested candidates must already be legally authorized to work in the United States and will not require any immigration sponsorship or support.
• Education: A Master's degree in Recreation, Business, Management, Higher Education Student Affairs or a related area is required.
• Experience: At least three years of successful administrative experience in higher education is required. Requires experience in: recreational programming including the development and implementation of successful programs; working with small and large groups of students in intramural sports, fitness, aquatics, and outdoor programs; managing a large budget; managing recreational facilities; and supervising professional and student staff.
• Skills: Requires exceptional organizational, management, leadership, communication, budgeting and interpersonal skills.
• Certifications: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) with Automated External Defibrillation (AED) and First Aid certification are required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• At least three years of experience in recreational programming on the university or college level.
• Experience in managing campus recreational facilities.

Position Type: Permanent Full-Time

Special Instructions to Applicants: Application materials must be submitted online. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until a candidate has been selected for hire.

Please include a cover letter, current resume, and a list of three professional references with complete contact information.

For questions or additional information please contact Pam Buchanan at pmbuchanan@wcu.edu

AA/EOE

Western Carolina University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; ethnicity; religion; sex; pregnancy; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; national origin; age; disability; genetic information; political affiliation; National Guard or veteran status, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations, and policies, and the policies of The University of North Carolina. Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations in the application and interview process please call (828) 227-7218 or email at jobs@email.wcu.edu.

University Safety

The Western Carolina University Annual Safety Report is available online at University Annual Safety Report or in hard-copy by request at the office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, 227 HFR Administration Building, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7147) or the Office of University Police, 111 Camp Annex, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7301). The report, required of all universities participating in Title IV student financial aid programs, discusses crime statistics, procedures for reporting suspicious or criminal activity, security, police authority, crime prevention strategies, university policies on substance abuse and sexual offenses, workplace violence and fire safety.

To apply, please visit: https://jobs.wcu.edu/postings/35467