Director of the Fitness and Recreation Center
Company:
University of Maine Farmington
Job Location:
Farmington, Maine
Category:
Athletics - Recreation Services
Type:
Full-Time
The University of Maine at Farmington (UMF) is seeking a student-centered, community-focused Director of the Fitness and Recreation Center (FRC). The FRC serves as a highly visible and vital asset for both the UMF campus community and the greater Farmington region.
In this role, you will provide daily administrative leadership for all FRC staff, facilities, programs, and services. You will strategically maximize our fiscal, structural, and human resources — mentoring both professional and student teams — to advance the shared mission of the center and the university. As a key member of the Student Affairs and Enrollment Management leadership group, your work will directly drive student retention, elevate the campus experience, and strengthen UMF's vital connection to the greater Farmington community.
Based on the qualifications and experience of the successful applicant, the anticipated annual salary for this position is up to $72,000 plus an employer contribution to the UMS retirement plan. Additional benefits include medical, dental, vision, and tuition waiver programs for employees and dependents.
Key Responsibilities
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
- Strategic Leadership: Ensure a safe, supportive, educational, lively, and fun student/community-integrated environment for all members.
- Program Planning: Lead staff in planning and implementing a diverse agenda of indoor and outdoor fitness and recreation programs that maximize building and environmental resources.
- Staff Supervision: Hire, train, supervise, develop, and evaluate professional, administrative, part-time, temporary, and student staff (including front desk staff, building attendants, lifeguards, personal trainers, and Mainely Outdoors student teams).
- Inclusion & Compliance: Ensure all programmatic efforts, policies, and procedures are inclusive, informed by professional standards, and support the UMF strategic plan.
- Fiscal Management: Administer programmatic and operational budgets while actively creating and optimizing revenue opportunities.
- Marketing & Assessment: Develop effective marketing strategies and implement program outcomes assessments to ensure continual improvement and address industry trends.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Communicate daily with students, staff, faculty, and community members, and serve on relevant campus and community committees.
Required Competencies
- Mission Alignment: A deep commitment to serving as a resource, support, and champion for the fitness goals of students and community members.
- Inclusive Leadership: The ability to foster a collaborative team environment that prioritizes safety, involvement, shared responsibility, and belonging.
- Collaboration: A genuine willingness to collaborate across the university and local community to ensure a positive experience for all members and patrons.
- Organization & Execution: The ability to plan and organize work, manage time effectively, and accomplish duties with a high level of attention to detail.
- Communication Mastery: Outstanding interpersonal skills across all stakeholders, including written, verbal, presentation, and top-tier customer service.
- Problem-Solving & Innovation: The ability to think innovatively, use emerging tools to find creative solutions to ever-changing challenges, and adapt positively to change.
- Data-Driven Decision Making: The ability to evaluate the outcomes of implemented solutions and pivot based on lessons learned.
- High Emotional Intelligence: Exceptional crisis management skills—the ability to maintain composure, remain resilient under pressure, and delegate effectively while keeping strict policies in mind.
- Tech-Savviness: Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Google Suite, Zoom, Rec Trac, Rec Center, and various social media platforms, alongside an ability to quickly adapt to new tech.
- Discretion & Ethics: Demonstrated ability to make ethical decisions, exercise principled judgment, and strictly respect confidentiality with sensitive information.
Required Qualifications
- Education: Master's degree in health, physical education, recreation, exercise science, kinesiology, sports management, or a related field, OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Professional Experience: 5–7 years of full-time professional experience in a fitness or recreation facility or organization.
- Leadership Experience: Demonstrated track record with both supervisory experience and budget management experience.
- Safety & Crisis Experience: Hands-on crisis and emergency management experience.
- Technical Knowledge: Practical familiarity with fitness equipment operation and maintenance.
- Certifications: Current CPR, AED, and First Aid Certifications.
- Licensure: A valid driver's license (in accordance with UMS standards).
Preferred Qualifications
- Risk management experience.
- Experience with assessment and program evaluation.
- Personal training or group fitness certifications.
- Pool Operator license.
- Lifeguard, Lifeguard Instructor, or Water Safety certifications.
- Maine Education Trip Leader permit (or similar from another state/organization).
- Wilderness First Aid certification.
- Fundraising experience.
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