Sport Programs Director (Recreation Leader), Recreational Sports
Apply NowCompany: Indiana University
Location: Bloomington, IN 47401
Description:
The Office of Student Life focuses on 3 key areas to support the student experience and their success: Care and Advocacy, Health and Well-being, and Involvement and Belonging.
Recreational Sports is a critical part of supporting student well-being and is a primary entry point at Indiana University Bloomington for supporting students in their health and wellness. Our mission is to connect, inform, and inspire people to lead an active, healthy lifestyle. We serve over 36,000 students, faculty, staff, and public participants annually. Our team consists of 46 appointed staff members, and over 800 part-time student staff members. Our organization fosters a team focused, collaborative work environment that emphasizes strong business practices, operational excellence, and participant development. Our organization is committed to a student development philosophy that encourages student involvement in decision-making and leadership.
Recreational Sports is committed to promoting learning and respect by integrating diversity, equity and inclusion in all programs, interactions, and partnerships. We commit to creating and maintaining an inclusive environment where all people are respected, valued, and affirmed so that they may know they matter and belong at Indiana University.
Job Summary
The Sport Programs Director provides strategic and operational leadership for club and intramural sports, overseeing a team of 2 assistant directors, 3 coordinators, and various student employees and volunteers. This role manages approximately 50 club sports with over 2,000 members and 30-35 intramural sports serving over 10,000 participants. Reporting to the Associate Director of Programming for Recreational Sports, this position fosters collaboration with campus partners to create innovative, student-focused programming that prioritizes safety, wellness, and exceptional experiences.
Department Specific Responsibilities
Combinations of related education and experience may be considered. Education beyond the minimum required may be substituted for work experience. Work experience beyond the minimum required may be substituted for education.
EDUCATION
Required
Required
Required:
Required
This position requires both sedentary work and long durations of movement about the workspace. It requires the ability to move and transport objects and equipment weighing up to 25 pounds. The person in this role must be able to perform the essential tasks with or without an accommodation.
Additional Information
Bloomington is not just a place to work, it's a place to live, thrive, and enjoy life. To learn more about what makes this town so special, click here .
Work Location
This is an in-person position.
Bloomington, Indiana
Advertised Salary
$80,000 - $90,000 depending upon education and experience.
Benefits Overview
For full-time staff employees, Indiana University offers a wide array of benefits including:
Job Classification
Career Level: Sr. Operational
FLSA: Exempt
Job Function: Athletic Affairs
Job Family: Recreational Sports
Click here to learn more about Indiana University's Job Framework.
Posting Disclaimer
This posting is scheduled to close at 11:59 pm EST on the advertised Close Date. This posting may be closed at any time at the discretion of the University, but will remain open for a minimum of 5 business days. To guarantee full consideration, please submit your application within 5 business days of the Posted Date.
If you wish to include a cover letter, you may include it with your resume when uploading attachments.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Indiana University is an equal employment and affirmative action employer and a provider of ADA services. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment based on individual qualifications. Indiana University prohibits discrimination based on age, ethnicity, color, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, national origin, disability status or protected veteran status. Indiana University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in its educational programs and activities, including employment and admission, as required by Title IX. Questions or complaints regarding Title IX may be referred to the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights or the university Title IX Coordinator. See Indiana University's Notice of Non-Discrimination here which includes contact information .
Campus Safety and Security
The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report, containing policy statements, crime and fire statistics for all Indiana University campuses, is available online . You may also request a physical copy by emailing IU Public Safety at [redacted] or by visiting IUPD.
Contact Us
Request Support
Apply for Job
Recreational Sports is a critical part of supporting student well-being and is a primary entry point at Indiana University Bloomington for supporting students in their health and wellness. Our mission is to connect, inform, and inspire people to lead an active, healthy lifestyle. We serve over 36,000 students, faculty, staff, and public participants annually. Our team consists of 46 appointed staff members, and over 800 part-time student staff members. Our organization fosters a team focused, collaborative work environment that emphasizes strong business practices, operational excellence, and participant development. Our organization is committed to a student development philosophy that encourages student involvement in decision-making and leadership.
Recreational Sports is committed to promoting learning and respect by integrating diversity, equity and inclusion in all programs, interactions, and partnerships. We commit to creating and maintaining an inclusive environment where all people are respected, valued, and affirmed so that they may know they matter and belong at Indiana University.
Job Summary
The Sport Programs Director provides strategic and operational leadership for club and intramural sports, overseeing a team of 2 assistant directors, 3 coordinators, and various student employees and volunteers. This role manages approximately 50 club sports with over 2,000 members and 30-35 intramural sports serving over 10,000 participants. Reporting to the Associate Director of Programming for Recreational Sports, this position fosters collaboration with campus partners to create innovative, student-focused programming that prioritizes safety, wellness, and exceptional experiences.
Department Specific Responsibilities
- Lead and supervise full-time staff, student employees, and volunteers across Club and Intramural Sports programs.
- Support systematic changes across Recreational Sports to prioritize student and participant health and well-being.
- Participate as a national leader in best practices around recreation, sports, and wellness.
- Oversee daily operations of Club Sports, including 2,000 plus members, 200 officers, and 25 coaches/instructors, as well as Intramural Sports with 10,000 plus participants.
- Develop and implement strategies for participant and staff recruitment, retention, and program enhancement.
- Provide ongoing education, training, and support for supervised staff through regular training sessions and in-services.
- Lead inventory management, asset replacement planning, and inspections for Club and Intramural Sports equipment and supplies.
- Manage budget submissions and purchasing for program areas, including the $99,000 Club Sport Allocation process.
- Collaborate on emergency and risk management systems to establish and maintain safety protocols.
- Build and maintain partnerships with campus colleagues to integrate health and wellness into programs.
- Develop interdisciplinary and holistic approaches to fitness and wellness in collaboration with Student Wellness colleagues.
- Ensure exceptional customer service to deliver outstanding participant experiences.
- Implement assessment tools to evaluate program needs, participant satisfaction, and feedback from volunteers and leaders.
- Advise the Club Sports Federation and Intramural Sports Council to guide program improvements.
- Participate in and maintain an on-call rotation to address emergency situations.
- Provide highest level of operational leadership and coordination of assigned staff members to define recreational programming methodologies and standards; provide direction and guidance on high priority program operations/projects/initiatives.
- Establish short-term business plans and long-term operational objectives, including managing program timelines/deliverables and developing resource plans for multi-project/multi-phase program initiatives.
- Conduct a variety of personnel actions to include, but not limited to hiring, promotion, performance management, and dismissal.
- Manage high level assignments and allocation of resources, including negotiating and coordinating initiatives that involve staff in other departments/areas/teams; may coordinate large-scale programs with a wide audience in support of recreational initiatives.
- Make budgetary recommendations/proposals based on resource needs and ensures cost containment.
- Research and stays up to date on new industry program standards, subject matter experts, best practices, and strategic marketing; responsible for the implementation of new protocols/procedures to address business needs.
- Work collaboratively with other unit leaders, volunteers, students and/or faculty experts across departments in recommending standards, best practices, and related policies/procedures.
- Prepare management reports and summaries for senior administration, executive, steering and advisory committees; act as an advisor to executive committees; serve on various university committees, communities of practice, and task forces related to program development, educational initiatives and institutional priorities.
Combinations of related education and experience may be considered. Education beyond the minimum required may be substituted for work experience. Work experience beyond the minimum required may be substituted for education.
EDUCATION
Required
- Bachelor's degree in Exercise Science, Recreation, Sports Management, or a related field
- Master's degree in Exercise Science, Recreation, Sports Management, or a related field
Required
- 4 years of related experience with structured recreational programming
- 1 year of management experience
- 8 years in recreational sports, club and intramural sports management, or student organizations management
- 5 years of management experience in relevant field, including direct supervision of full-time staff
Required:
- CPR/AED within 180 days from date of hire
- Standard First Aid within 180 days from date of hire
- Preventing Disease Transmission/Universal Precautions within 180 days from date of hire
- High School Officiating license(s)
Required
- Proficient communication skills
- Maintains a high degree of professionalism
- Demonstrated time management and priority setting skills
- Excellent organizational skills
- Excellent collaboration and team building skills
- Effectively coaches and delivers constructive feedback
- Instills commitment to organizational goals
- Demonstrates excellent judgment and decision-making skills
- Effective conflict management skills
- Builds and manages effective teams
- Proven team leader
- Focus on continuous improvement with the ability to assess an operation and suggest efficiencies and changes
- Strong relationship builder and diplomatic collaborator
- Ability to apply sound judgment and apply experienced analysis techniques within area of specialization to make decisions
- Demonstrated problem-solving skills and techniques
- Excellent communication skills
- Possesses flexibility to work in a fast paced, dynamic environment
- Seeks to acquire knowledge in Recreational Sports and student success
- Highly thorough and dependable
- Demonstrates a high level of accuracy, even under pressure
This position requires both sedentary work and long durations of movement about the workspace. It requires the ability to move and transport objects and equipment weighing up to 25 pounds. The person in this role must be able to perform the essential tasks with or without an accommodation.
Additional Information
Bloomington is not just a place to work, it's a place to live, thrive, and enjoy life. To learn more about what makes this town so special, click here .
Work Location
This is an in-person position.
Bloomington, Indiana
Advertised Salary
$80,000 - $90,000 depending upon education and experience.
Benefits Overview
For full-time staff employees, Indiana University offers a wide array of benefits including:
- Comprehensive medical and dental insurance
- Health savings account with generous IU contributions
- Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
- Basic group life insurance paid by IU
- Voluntary supplemental life, long-term disability, critical illness, and supplemental accidental death & dismemberment insurance
- Base retirement plan with generous IU contributions, subject to vesting
- Voluntary supplemental retirement plan options
- Tuition subsidy for employees and family members taking IU courses
- 10 paid holidays plus a paid winter break each year
- Generous paid time off plans
- Paid leave for new parents and IU-sponsored volunteer events
- Employee assistance program (EAP)
Job Classification
Career Level: Sr. Operational
FLSA: Exempt
Job Function: Athletic Affairs
Job Family: Recreational Sports
Click here to learn more about Indiana University's Job Framework.
Posting Disclaimer
This posting is scheduled to close at 11:59 pm EST on the advertised Close Date. This posting may be closed at any time at the discretion of the University, but will remain open for a minimum of 5 business days. To guarantee full consideration, please submit your application within 5 business days of the Posted Date.
If you wish to include a cover letter, you may include it with your resume when uploading attachments.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Indiana University is an equal employment and affirmative action employer and a provider of ADA services. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment based on individual qualifications. Indiana University prohibits discrimination based on age, ethnicity, color, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, national origin, disability status or protected veteran status. Indiana University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in its educational programs and activities, including employment and admission, as required by Title IX. Questions or complaints regarding Title IX may be referred to the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights or the university Title IX Coordinator. See Indiana University's Notice of Non-Discrimination here which includes contact information .
Campus Safety and Security
The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report, containing policy statements, crime and fire statistics for all Indiana University campuses, is available online . You may also request a physical copy by emailing IU Public Safety at [redacted] or by visiting IUPD.
Contact Us
Request Support
Apply for Job
- Staff Positions
- Sign In
- New User
- Enable Screen Reader Mode