Executive Director - University Recreation

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Job Posting Title:

Executive Director, University Recreation

Position Type:

Professional / Unclassified

Department:

LSUAM AA - SA - Health and Wellbeing (Kimberly Guyer (00336141))

Work Location:

0102 Student Recreation Complex

Pay Grade:

Job Description:

Reporting to the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, the Executive Director of University Recreation (UREC) is responsible for the overall administration and supervision of collegiate recreational programs, facilities, operations, personnel, and budgets, including management of the University Recreation Center (UREC), Sport & Adventure Complex, intramural and sports clubs, health and fitness programs, adventure education programs, aquatics programs, and outdoor recreational fields and facilities. In executing this work, the Executive Director has supervision oversight over 300 professional and student staff in addition to approximately 257,000 square feet of facilities, and key engagement programs helping create valuable opportunities for students to engage in wellbeing activities that support student success.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THIS POSITION

• Provides leadership and support for the University Recreation and its 300+ full-time and student staff members.
• Oversight of an annual revenue exceeding 13 million, exercising high-level short- and long-term forecasting to sustain the high quality and financial health of UREC.
• Ensures all UREC facilities, including a student recreation complex, pools, a field complex, and satellite facilities, meet safety standards and are maintained appropriately.
• Is responsible for the overall quality of all UREC programs, including aquatics, fitness, intramurals, outdoor recreation, sport clubs, and youth programs, ensuring they meet all safety and certification regulations and are accessible to the LSU community. 
• Serves as a key leader within the Division of Student Affairs Strategy Council.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR LEADERSHIP

Build What's Next through a Culture of Innovation

LSU UREC has a strong tradition of innovation and continuous improvement aimed at elevating the student experience. Recent additions include expanding high and low ropes courses, including the addition of a zipline, a new outdoor fitness area, and an EGYM smart fitness technology system. The Executive Director inherits a strong team, solid infrastructure, and the resources necessary to continue to boldly innovate while maintaining the quality students have come to expect.

Help Shape the Future of Campus Recreation Nationally

Few institutions offer a platform like LSU. From its iconic LSU-shaped leisure river to one of the most recognizable recreation brands in higher education, LSU UREC is widely respected for its facilities, programs, and commitment to student success. This visibility gives the Executive Director an opportunity beyond the campus gates: as part of a collaborative network of recreation leaders across the SEC and nationally, the Executive Director will have a voice in national conversations, influence trends, and help establish new standards for excellence in collegiate recreation.

ATTRIBUTES OF THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE

Is a collegial team player who gives energy to the spaces they occupy. They build authentic and mutually beneficial relationships and can influence without positional authority. They put institutional priorities before their own interests and don’t need credit to know they did the work.

Is a skilled administrator with a high degree of self-awareness. They have a history of effective leadership and develop their staff with clear expectations, timely feedback, and redirects behaviors and attitudes that are inconsistent with institutional objectives or a positive work environment.

Solves problems through cross-institutional, holistic approaches and believes that progress over perfection helps an organization achieve its goals. They are committed to getting things done; moving fast enough to make meaningful progress, yet slow enough not to compromise quality, readily adjusting when priorities shift.

Has a demonstrated record of innovation, taking thoughtful risks to improve services and experiences in ways that advance student success. Can identify when organizational priorities require a change in approach. Balances creativity with practicality and understands that innovation requires both vision and discipline.

Leads, supervises, and inspires people across professional backgrounds and lived experiences. Adapts their leadership style to meet the needs of different constituents while maintaining accountability. Builds trust through strong interpersonal skills and meaningful relationships with students, staff, faculty, alumni, and campus partners.

Is a thoughtful steward of people, resources, and facilities, understanding the responsibility that comes with leading one of the university’s most visible and heavily utilized operations. Advocates for departmental priorities and staff while maintaining broad divisional and institutional perspective. Makes fiscally sound decisions that advance both UREC and LSU.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Leadership & Administration (35%)

Provides internal leadership for a large, multifaceted organization through operational oversight and strategic management of programs and services, facilities, and human and fiscal resources. Programs include the University Recreation Center, Sport & Adventure Complex, intramural and sports clubs, health and fitness programs, adventure education programs, aquatics programs, and outdoor recreational fields/facilities. Ensures alignment between UREC and the Division of Student Affairs' strategic vision and communicates priorities to staff throughout the department. Provides leadership and support, supervising a team of associate directors and aiding in the ongoing management of all department staff. Demonstrates divisional attitudes and priorities in all aspects of work, specifically focusing on how UREC can best collaborate, and lead when appropriate, in efforts to promote health and wellbeing across the institution

Strategic Oversight (20%)

Steward human, financial, and physical resources to ensure quality, efficiency, impact, and alignment with institutional and divisional objectives. Enhance the professional competence of staff through training and development opportunities. Direct budget planning, forecasting, and resource allocation for the unit to ensure optimal and timely use of funds consistent with departmental goals and campus regulations, and to best support the needs of UREC users. Sets parameters and expectations for delegated decision-making by staff, specifically how resources are allocated within UREC, to ensure operational and programmatic success. Is accountable for delegating tasks and assigning objectives to those on their leadership team and across UREC.

External Relations (20%)

Serves as the primary representative from the department to internal and external stakeholders, ensuring UREC is viewed as a contributor and a necessary component of a student’s health and wellbeing goals. Sets expectations for how the UREC will interact or engage with departments across campus, to best enhance student learning, development, health, wellbeing, and success.

Quality Control (15%)

Is accountable for ensuring every aspect of UREC operations, including human resource decisions, administrative tasks, programs, services, events, experiences, and all communication, exudes a high degree of quality. Engages leadership team and staff throughout UREC in efforts to implement high-quality programs and services. Responsible for measuring and reporting key results relating to student satisfaction, learning objectives, and student impact metrics. Embraces, plans, and executes continuous improvement efforts, including an annual review of all services, events, programs, and experiences.

Compliance (5%)

Ensures that the department adheres to all university, local, state, and federal laws, policies, and procedures applicable to supporting students in their use of UREC. Oversees the development and management of protocols, policies, procedures, and instruments for the effective internal management of reporting requirements, including ensuring the certification and licensing of professional and student staff when required.

Other Duties as Assigned (5%)

Other duties as assigned by the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, including but not limited to efforts that support broad division/institution goals, including at least 40 hours per year spent helping divisional initiatives such as Move-in Day, Welcome Week, Family Weekend, Career Expo, Disability Services Finals Testing, other special projects.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree and 8 years of related experience including progressive experience in a recreational setting and at least 5 years of supervisory experience OR Bachelor's degree and 10 years of related experience including progressive experience in a recreational setting and at least 5 years of supervisory experience.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Five or more years management experience at or above the director/department head level.
• Demonstrated experience working on cross-institutional teams to solve problems.
• User experience (UX), design-thinking, or other program/organizational development expertise.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS/EXPECTATIONS

This position may be required to report to campus in times of emergency and/or closure per PS-18.

This position has access to/directly handles cash. Financial history/credit check required per FASOP HR-04.

This position and/or position's responsibilities require work directly with minors. Finger printing and National Sex Offender Registry check required per FASOP HR-04.

As with all LSU employees, due to this position title and/or responsibilities, this position has an obligation to assist students in the acquisition of necessary services. Should a student appear in need of or seek assistance with issues of an emotional, behavioral, or mental health related matter they should be referred to the proper service within the Student Health Center. In situations where the student creates an impression that they are a danger to themselves or others, the advisor should immediately contact the Care Team, the Dean of Students or the appropriate law enforcement agency. The employee outside of those rights contained within FERPA should create no impression of client or patient confidentiality.

APPLICATIONS

Applications will be accepted online on the LSU Careers website. Please direct all nominations and inquiries for the position to Emily Hester at [email protected] or 225-578-7441. The search committee will begin reviewing applications immediately and will continue to accept applications and nominations until the position is filled. However, in order to assure the fullest consideration, candidates are encouraged to have complete applications submitted by September 7, 2026. Requested application materials include a letter of interest or cover letter; resume or curriculum vitae; and at least five professional references including name, telephone number, e-mail address, and relationship. All applications, nominations, and inquiries will remain confidential. Salary will be competitive and commensurate with qualifications.  An offer of employment is contingent on a satisfactory pre-employment background check.

Additional Job Description:

Special Instructions:

Requested application materials include a letter of interest or cover letter; resume or curriculum vitae; and at least five professional references including name, telephone number, e-mail address, and relationship. For questions or concerns regarding the status of your application or salary ranges, please contact Emily Hester at 225-578-7441.

Skills Needed:

Preferred Skills:

Posting Date:

July 30, 2026

Closing Date (Open Until Filled if No Date Specified):

November 20, 2026

Additional Position Information:

Background Check - An offer of employment is contingent on a satisfactory pre-employment background check.

Benefits - LSU offers outstanding benefits to eligible employees and their dependents including health, life, dental, and vision insurance; flexible spending accounts; retirement options; various leave options; paid holidays; wellness benefits; tuition exemption for qualified positions; training and development opportunities; employee discounts; and more!

Positions approved to work outside the State of Louisiana shall be employed through Louisiana State University’s partner, nextSource Workforce Solutions, for Employer of Record Services including but not limited to employment, benefits, payroll, and tax compliance. Positions employed through Employer of Record Services will be offered benefits and retirement as applicable through their provider and will not be eligible for State of Louisiana benefits and retirement.

Essential Position (Y/N):

LSU is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

All candidates must have valid U.S. work authorization at the time of hire and maintain that valid work authorization throughout employment. Changes in laws, regulations, or government policies may impact the university’s ability to employ individuals in certain positions.

HCM Contact Information: