Assistant Director - Competitive Sports

Position Summary:

The Assistant Director of Competitive Sports provides leadership and oversight for Vanderbilt University's competitive sports programs, including intramural sports and club sports. This position fosters meaningful student engagement, leadership development, and a sense of belonging through inclusive recreational experiences.

The Assistant Director provides leadership, advising, and operational support for Club Sports while cultivating collaborative partnerships with Student Affairs to strengthen Registered Student Organization (RSO) support, student leadership, and shared organizational responsibilities. Additionally, the position supervises and develops student employees, oversees sports equipment, monitors playing field conditions, and coordinates recreational facility needs.

The Assistant Director supports responsible risk management, operational excellence, and continuous program improvement while contributing to the broader mission of Vanderbilt Recreation by creating opportunities for students to be well, belong, and thrive.

About the Work Unit:

We advance Vanderbilt's commitment to developing the whole person. We create transformational experiences that empower every Commodore to be well, belong, and thrive at Vanderbilt and beyond. 

All Recreation and Wellness Center (Rec) team members are expected to embody our ANCHOR values:

• Assiduousness: Produce high-quality deliverables consistently.
• Navigation: Pursue personal development and help others grow.
• Collaboration: Respect, trust, and shared purpose stay at the forefront.
• Honor: Consider the whole person in our services and culture.
• Ownership: Take initiative and pride in your work.
• Reasoning: Face challenges with flexibility and optimism.

Key Functions & Expected Performance:

Area Supervision

• Club Sports Leadership & Student Organization Development
  • Provide leadership, advising, and operational support for Club Sports, emphasizing meaningful student engagement, leadership development, and a culture of belonging while promoting accountability, sportsmanship, and responsible organizational management.

  • Cultivate a strong partnership with Student Affairs, particularly the Student Affairs’ Student Organizations, Leadership, and Service team, to align Club Sports with University expectations, policies, and practices governing Registered Student Organizations (RSOs).

  • Collaborate with Student Affairs to strengthen shared advising practices, clarify organizational responsibilities, and support the evolving relationship between Club Sports, Recreation, and the broader student organization community.

  • Support University-wide student organization initiatives and leadership development opportunities in collaboration with Student Affairs and other campus partners.

  • Promote an inclusive Club Sports environment that supports diverse student interests, varying levels of competition, and meaningful opportunities for student engagement and leadership.

  • Provide guidance, education, and mentorship to Club Sports officers, student leaders, and coaches regarding organizational leadership, financial responsibility, accountability, and safe participation.

  • Coordinate with student leaders and campus partners to support safe and compliant practices, competitions, travel, and other Club Sports activities.

  • Partner with Student Affairs, University Risk Management, and other stakeholders to support compliance with applicable University policies, organizational requirements, and sport-specific safety standards.

  • Oversee Recreation's role in Club Sports financial processes, including funding distribution, account management, purchasing, and supporting student leaders in responsible financial stewardship.

  • Support Club Sports administrative processes, including participant records, organizational documentation, recreation management systems, and required reporting.

  • Assess Club Sports participation, student development outcomes, and program effectiveness to inform improvements and strengthen the student experience.

  • Foster opportunities to recognize Club Sports achievements, student leadership, organizational excellence, and contributions to the Vanderbilt community.

• Intramural Sports Leadership

  • Provide leadership and oversight for intramural sports programs, fostering an inclusive environment that promotes student engagement, teamwork, sportsmanship, and personal development.

  • Recruit, hire, train, supervise, and evaluate student employees while creating meaningful opportunities for leadership development, mentorship, and professional growth.

  • Maintain an active presence at intramural activities, providing guidance, support, and leadership to student employees and participants.

  • Develop and coordinate intramural leagues, tournaments, and special events, including scheduling, facility reservations, staffing, and program administration through designated recreation management systems.

  • Design creative, accessible, and inclusive recreational opportunities that respond to evolving student interests, abilities, and levels of competition, including exploring alternative formats and nontraditional approaches to intramural programming.

  • Develop, communicate, and administer intramural policies, procedures, and playing rules while ensuring alignment with University expectations and established risk management practices.

  • Promote a culture of accountability and sportsmanship by addressing participant conduct, resolving conflicts, and using challenging situations as opportunities for learning and development.

  • Collaborate with campus partners and Recreation colleagues to coordinate facilities, staffing, and resources necessary for successful intramural programming.

  • Oversee intramural operational expenditures, student employee payroll, and responsible stewardship of program resources.

  • Assess participation trends, student experiences, and program outcomes to inform creative programming strategies, enhance existing offerings, and maximize the effective use of available facilities and resources.
    
     

• Sports Equipment & Field Stewardship
  
   

  • Provide oversight of sports equipment and recreational playing fields, promoting safe, accessible, and quality experiences for participants.

  • Regularly monitor and assess playing field conditions, identifying safety concerns, maintenance needs, and opportunities for improvement.

  • Collaborate with University Facilities, grounds personnel, and campus partners to coordinate field maintenance, address concerns, and support the long-term care and usability of recreational spaces.

  • Oversee the inventory, purchasing, storage, maintenance, and replacement planning of sports equipment used across Competitive Sports programs.

  • Coordinate field usage, scheduling, and facility readiness to support practices, competitions, special events, and other recreational activities.

  • Develop and implement equipment management practices and field assessment procedures that promote accountability, responsible resource stewardship, and operational efficiency.

  • Identify creative solutions to maximize the use of available recreational spaces and equipment while balancing program needs, participant safety, and University resources.

• Administrative and Departmental Support

  • Support departmental safety initiatives, including assisting with CPR/AED/First Aid instruction, emergency preparedness, and staff training as needed.

  • Collaborate with Recreation colleagues and campus partners to support program marketing, communications, outreach, and student engagement initiatives.

  • Implement and uphold University and Recreation policies, risk management practices, and applicable compliance standards to promote safe and responsible operations.

  • Participate in departmental initiatives, campus committees, professional development opportunities, and collaborative efforts that advance the mission of Vanderbilt Recreation and Student Affairs.

  • Perform other duties as assigned in support of departmental and University priorities.

Hours:

This position is exempt (salary) and requires a flexible work schedule, including evenings, weekends, and occasional on-call responsibilities to support departmental operations. The Assistant Director will also serve as a Professional on Duty (PoD), providing operational leadership through scheduled facility shifts and on-call coverage as needed.

Supervisory Relationships:
This position supervises over 20 part-time and student employees.

Education and Certifications:

• Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree preferred.
• Current American Red Cross CPR/AED and First Aid certification, or the ability to obtain within 90 days of hire.
• American Red Cross CPR/AED and First Aid Instructor certification preferred.
   

Experience and Skills:

• Minimum of two years of professional experience in student affairs, campus recreation, student engagement, student organization advising, or a related field.
• Experience supervising, training, mentoring, or developing student employees or student leaders.
• Experience with program planning, coordination, and assessment.
• Experience with budget management, purchasing, or financial processes.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment.
• Ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships with students, faculty, staff, campus partners, and community stakeholders.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, maintain confidentiality, and provide exceptional customer service.
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities, operational needs, and evolving departmental initiatives.
• Ability to lift and move equipment weighing up to 40 pounds.