Title: Director of Campus Recreation & Fitness Center

VP Area: Student Affairs - UMW

Department: Campus Recreation

Campus Location: Main Campus

Advertised Range: $60,000 - $84,872

Job Summary/Basic Functions

The University of Mary Washington (UMW) is seeking a Director of Campus Recreation to lead the institution’s comprehensive fitness and wellness program. The Director oversees the department’s strategic planning, staff supervision, budget management, and collaboration with other campus departments. Starting in the Fall 2025, Campus Recreation will be part of the newly-established Health and Wellness Office in UMW’s Division of Student Affairs. The Director will report directly to the Associate Vice President for Health and Wellness. 

About the University of Mary Washington
Founded in 1908, the University of Mary Washington (UMW) has built a rich history of accomplished academic excellence and significant campus traditions. With an enrollment of approximately 4,000 students, UMW is a residential campus located in Fredericksburg, Virginia, just an hour from Washington, D.C., to the north and Richmond, Virginia, to the south. With outstanding students, passionate professors, and committed staff under the leadership of President Troy Paino, UMW has increased its retention rate and recruited a more diverse and talented student body while raising the school’s academic profile.  U.S. News & World Report has named Mary Washington one of “America’s Best Colleges” and has placed it among the top ten public liberal arts colleges in the country. 

About UMW Campus Recreation
UMW Campus Recreation supports the University and the Division of Student Affairs by providing opportunities to acquire skills and knowledge related to the fitness and well-being of UMW students, staff, faculty, and Fredericksburg community members. Campus Recreation strives to provide students with leadership and interpersonal skills through a comprehensive recreation program that includes group exercise, intramural sports, sport clubs, outdoor recreation, aquatics, personal training, and physical training. Campus Recreation also works with other UMW departments supporting the vision to make wellness a lifelong goal and value for all UMW community members.

Director’s Key Responsibilities:

• Leadership & Administration: Provide visionary leadership for Campus Recreation, including strategic planning and policy development. Develop and oversee the operating and student personnel budgets; demonstrate fiscal responsibility; and implement financial practices that allow for data-driven decision making. Prepare proposals, budget reports, and assessment reports in support of the department’s, division’s, and University’s mission and vision. 
• Staff Supervision & Development: Supervise and manage professional staff members, student employees, and adjunct instructors for the department’s fitness classes. Provide ongoing professional development opportunities.
• Campus Collaboration: Work closely with staff and faculty colleagues and student leaders and organizations to promote Campus Recreation and its offerings for all UMW community members. Support Campus Recreation’s role as a leader among campus partners in health and wellness. Enhance the fitness center as a significant social hub for students.
• Community Engagement and Communication: Support community engagement and wellbeing initiatives for department and the Division of Student Affairs and work with University constituents to create and promote wellness programming, partnerships, and collaborations throughout the UMW community. Promote the department’s revenue generation opportunities and work alongside UMW’s Advancement office to foster connections among donors.

Required KSAs/Competencies/Qualifications

• Demonstrated administrative skills and experience in planning, implementing, and evaluating programmatic initiatives directly related to campus recreation.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to develop strong, positive relationships across campus or community units.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills. Certification in CPR, AED.

Required Education:

• Master's degree in recreation, sports management, exercise science, health and physical education, or related field. 
• Certification in CPR, AED

Required Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years professional experience that has included direct responsibility in Campus Recreation or related-field.

Additional Considerations:

KSAs

• Consistently progressive responsibilities in a university or recreational setting. 
  

Experience

• 7+ years professional experience that has included direct responsibility in Campus Recreation or related-field.

LICENSURE/CERTIFICATION

• Nationally recognized certifications in fitness, group exercise, or personal training including any of the following: ACSM, NSCA, AFAA, ACE or other recognized certifying organization.

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position. To be considered for this position a state application must be received through the online employment system at https://jobs.umw.edu/.

Selected candidate(s) must successfully pass a criminal history background check. Employment verification will be conducted to include current/previous supervisory employment reference checks. Other financial, credit, driving, background checks or completion of Statement of Economic Interests may be required for certain positions. For more information, please visit http://ethics.dls.virginia.gov/.

The University of Mary Washington is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating and supporting a diverse and inclusive work and educational community that is free of all forms of discrimination. This institution does not tolerate discrimination or harassment on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, parental status, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or veteran status. We promote access, inclusion and diversity for all students, faculty, staff, constituents and programs, believing that these qualities are foundational components of an outstanding education in keeping with our mission. The university is interested in candidates whose experience and qualifications support an ongoing commitment to this core quality.