Director of Campus Recreation

University Overview

The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn’s distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America’s Best Large Employers in 2023.

Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.

The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.

Posted Job Title

Director of Campus Recreation

Job Profile Title

Director C, Athletic Operations

Job Description Summary

The Director of Campus Recreation reports to the Athletic Director and is a member of the senior executive team for the Division of Recreation and Intercollegiate Athletics (DRIA) charged with implementing strategic Divisional initiatives serving a diverse University Community of over 60,000 people.

Job Description

Job Responsibilities

• Provide administrative leadership to a higher education campus recreation organizational structure that supports the vision, mission, and values of the Division, University, and its community. Oversee all full-time and temporary Penn Campus Recreation staff, ensuring all staff members are trained and certified as needed, while encouraging employee growth and development. Oversee the Pottruck Health & Fitness and Fox Fitness Centers, Gimbel Gymnasium, and Sheerr Pool. Develop, implement, and enforce policies and procedures as required. Maintain equipment and supply inventories and work with the Divisional Finance Office to approve purchases as needed.
• Develop and implement an innovative, inclusive, and impactful strategy for Penn Campus Recreation that includes business, operational, and marketing plans designed to enhance and increase services and service delivery methods that meet or exceed the Penn Community's expectations. Oversee all Campus Recreation programming including Fitness (personal training, group exercise, instructional fitness, and Pilates), Competitive Sport (intramurals and club sports), Aquatics (open swim, swim lessons, certifications, courses, and compliance with PA Bathing Code regulations), Adventure (rock wall climbing, outdoor equipment rentals, and team building), and Special Events.
• Develop and manage strategic planning, operations, and budget implications of all membership options and online services (lockers, equipment rentals, etc.). Develop and implement marketing strategies, materials, and plans promoting recreational programming and membership sales to enhance revenue generation. Develop creative and innovative assessment tools to measure participant satisfaction. Cultivate relationships with current and potential Penn Campus Recreation members and lead a front facing team that provides excellent customer service. Work collaboratively with JMI Sports staff to develop sponsorship opportunities within Campus Recreation facilities/programs.
• Support community engagement and wellbeing initiatives for the Division and work with University constituents to create and promote wellness programming, partnerships, and collaborations throughout the Penn Campus Community. Highlight the Division's desire to become a leader among campus partners in wellbeing and enhance the Pottruck Health & Fitness Center as a predominant social hub on campus.
• Develop and oversee the annual operating budget that supports the vision and mission of Penn Campus Recreation; demonstrate fiscal responsibility; and implement refined financial practices and controls that allow for data-driven decision making. Draft and present proposals, revenue and expense reports, annual reports, and briefing materials to enhance the business operations of the department, Division, and University.
• Organize a Recreation Advisory Committee; select members, organize regularly scheduled meetings and agendas, and disseminate feedback. Spearhead external networking with NIRSA, City 6, Ivy League Rec Directors and other peers, as part of professional development of the Penn Campus Recreation staff.
• Performs additional duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Penn Campus Recreation is looking for a results-oriented, innovative, and analytical applicant who can manage multiple priorities and facilities and deliver high-quality programs and services. This position encourages developing new ideas, systems, and technologies, but also analyzing and improving current ones. Calculated decision-making by analyzing data and industry trends in a fast-paced environment is required. Must be structured, organized, and efficient.
• A Master’s Degree and 5-7 years of relevant experience or a Bachelor's Degree and 7-10 years of relevant experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required. A degree with an emphasis in recreation, sports management/administration, physical education, business administration, marketing, or other related field is preferred. Successful candidate must demonstrate experience in overseeing Recreational facilities, programs, and budgets, preferably at an institution of higher education. Previous experience with fitness, wellness, and aquatic programming is preferred. Must have previous experience supervising a team of professional staff and exhibiting strong customer service skills.
• Any of the following certifications are preferred but not required to be hired (accredited personal training and/or group fitness instructor, American Red Cross Lifeguarding Instructor, WSI and/or LGI, CPO and/or AFO, PA Pesticide Applicator, American Red Cross CPR/AED Instructor, AMGA Top Rope, etc.). Must be willing to acquire and maintain any necessary certifications. Ability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as required.

Application Requirement 

• A Cover Letter and Resume/CV are required to be considered for this position. Please upload your Cover Letter where it asks you to upload your Resume/CV; multiple documents are allowed.  

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

Division of Recreation & Intercollegiate Athletics

Pay Range

$93,500.00 - $130,000.00 Annual Rate

Salary offers are made based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, and in alignment with salary ranges based on external market data for the job’s level. Internal organization and peer data at Penn are also considered.

Equal Opportunity Statement 

The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin (including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics), citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any class protected under applicable federal, state or local law.

Special Requirements 
Background checks may be required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.

University Benefits

• Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts: Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family’s health and welfare. You can also use flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.

• Tuition: Take advantage of Penn's exceptional tuition benefits. You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.

• Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn’s Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.

• Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with family—whatever your personal needs may be.

• Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you’re newly hired, you won’t have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.

• Wellness and Work-life Resources: Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That’s why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance.

• Professional and Personal Development: Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.

• University Resources: As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the University’s libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There’s always something going on at Penn, whether it’s a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn Relays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a member of the Penn community, you’re right in the middle of the excitement—and you and your family can enjoy many of these activities for free.

• Discounts and Special Services: From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you'll find great deals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts and cultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admission and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoy substantial savings on other goods and services such as new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks.

• Flexible Work Hours: Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures.

• Penn Home Ownership Services: Penn offers a forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used for closing costs or home improvements.

• Adoption Assistance: Penn will reimburse eligible employees on qualified expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for up to two adoptions in your household.

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To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay