Director Of Recreation Programs Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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Location:

Claremont, CA

Job Posting Title:

Job Details and Requirement:

CMS RECREATION:

The Joint Claremont-Mudd-Scripps (CMS) Athletics, Physical Education, and Recreation Program provides a comprehensive range of physical education, recreation, intramural sports, club sports, fitness, and varsity athletics opportunities that promote lifelong health, wellness, engagement, and belonging. Serving the students, faculty, and staff of Claremont McKenna, Harvey Mudd, and Scripps Colleges, CMS Recreation enhances the campus experience by creating accessible opportunities for individuals of all interests and ability levels to be active, build community, and develop lifelong wellness habits. The department also partners with Pomona-Pitzer Athletics to support a vibrant 5C Club Sports program.

Centered in Roberts Pavilion, CMS Recreation fosters an inclusive, welcoming, and student-focused environment that encourages recreation, fitness, leadership, and holistic well-being. Through exceptional facilities, innovative programming, intramural sports, group fitness, special events, and student employment opportunities, CMS Recreation strives to inspire healthy lifestyles, meaningful connections, and a strong sense of community across the 5C campuses.

BASIC FUNCTION:

The Director of Recreation provides strategic leadership and direction for recreation, wellness, and engagement initiatives serving Claremont McKenna, Harvey Mudd, and Scripps Colleges. The Director of Recreation develops and implements departmental priorities, oversees recreation operations and programming, and fosters partnerships to enhance student well-being, belonging, and engagement. The Director of Recreation leads a comprehensive recreation program that includes wellness initiatives, group fitness, intramurals, club sports, and facility operation while ensuring programs and services are inclusive, innovative, and aligned with institutional goals.

Given our priority to cultivate an inclusive educational environment, we seek candidates who effectively teach, mentor, and inspire students representing a broad range of socioeconomic backgrounds, political opinions, genders, races, ethnicities, nationalities, sexual orientations, religions, and lived experiences, including a demonstrated commitment to accessibility and inclusive practices consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

The successful candidate will demonstrate an understanding and appreciation of the role of athletics within a highly selective liberal arts environment and the importance of integrating athletics into the broader educational mission of The Claremont Colleges.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Reporting to the Associate Athletic Director, and supervising two professional staff members, the Director of Recreation works independently and collaboratively to perform the following essential duties and responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership and Administration

• Develop and execute the strategic vision, goals, and annual priorities for CMS Recreation and Engagement.
• Establish departmental goals, key performance indicators, and assessment measures to evaluate program effectiveness and student impact.
• Analyze participation, utilization, and assessment data to inform program development, resource allocation, and long-term planning.
• Represent CMS Recreation on institutional committees and collaborative initiatives across The Claremont Colleges.
• Ensure compliance with institutional policies, risk management standards, and applicable regulations governing recreation operations.
• Develop and manage the annual departmental budget and allocate resources in support of strategic priorities.

Facility Operations

• Provide strategic oversight of recreation operations, ensuring a safe, functional, and welcoming environment for recreation programs and facility users.
• Partner with the Internal Operations and Facilities Manager to review vendor contracts and coordinate the procurement of equipment for club sports, intramurals, and recreation operations.
• Collaborate with the Internal Operations and Facilities Manager to ensure the ongoing upkeep, safety, and functionality of Roberts Pavilion.
• Oversee membership policies, guest pass sales, and related administrative procedures.
• Manage and maintain software systems that support CMS Recreation operations.
• Coordinate facility scheduling requests in partnership with campus and external stakeholders.

Recreation & Wellness Programs

• Develop and implement a comprehensive recreation and wellness programming plan that promotes lifelong well-being, physical activity, and engagement for students, faculty, and staff from diverse backgrounds, identities, and experiences.
• Provide oversight for the Group Fitness program, including instructor recruitment, hiring, scheduling, supervision, and ongoing program evaluation.
• Plan, promote, and implement wellness education, outreach, workshops and engagement opportunities, targeted interventions and evidence-based assessments for the CMS community.
• Oversee recreation programming including wellness workshops and other engagement opportunities.
• Lead the planning and execution of signature recreation and wellness events, including the Annual Health and Wellness Fair, the 5C5K, and other departmental initiatives.
• Partner with campus departments and external organizations to expand health promotion initiatives and collaborative programming.
• Identify emerging recreation and wellness trends and recommend new programs and services that meet evolving student interests and needs.

Marketing & Engagement

• Develop and execute a comprehensive marketing and communications strategy to increase awareness, participation, and visibility of CMS Recreation programs and services.
• Oversee recreation communications through social media, digital signage, web content, newsletters, tabling, and other outreach platforms.
• Collaborate with the Director of Athletic Facilities and Sport Operations and the Dean of Students Office to develop engagement initiatives that enhance attendance and school spirit at athletic contests.
• Cultivate strategic partnerships with campus departments to maximize shared resources and strengthen student engagement through recreation and wellness programming.

Personnel Management

• Provide leadership and supervision for professional staff, including the Recreation Manager, Recreation Coordinator, and student employees.
• In partnership with the Office of Human Resources, oversee the recruitment, hiring, onboarding, supervision, and evaluation of Recreation student staff.
• Develop and implement comprehensive training and professional development programs for Roberts Pavilion student employees focused on customer service, facility operations, inclusion, and risk management.
• Foster a collaborative, student-centered team culture that promotes accountability, exceptional service, and continuous improvement.
• Delegate responsibilities, establish performance expectations, and provide coaching and mentorship to support staff development and departmental success.

Regular attendance is considered an essential job function; the inability to meet attendance requirements may preclude the employee from retaining employment.

QUALIFICATION STANDARDS & SKILLS:

EDUCATION: A bachelor's degree or any combination of education and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is required. A master's degree is preferred.

EXPERIENCE: Three to five years of experience in campus recreation, recreation management, or the fitness industry is required. Preference will be given to candidates with experience managing a fitness center or gym, leading group fitness programs, and/or holding relevant group fitness certifications. Experience working in a college or university recreation program, particularly within or in collaboration with an athletics department, is preferred.

LICENSES: May be required to transport staff, game day officials, or complete other job-related work off campus. A valid driver's license and the ability to be insured under the College's authorized driver's policy are required to drive College-owned vehicles.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, and ABILITIES: Individual must possess knowledge, skills, and ability to be able to successfully perform the essential functions of the position, or be able to explain or demonstrate how the essential functions will be performed, with or without reasonable accommodation, using some other combination of knowledge, skills, and abilities.

• Appropriate certifications in First Aid, CPR, and AED.
• Ability to follow all written and verbal instructions, asking questions as needed for clarification of projects/tasks/duties/assignments
• Proficiency with basic Microsoft Office software (such as Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) and associated professional software such as EMS, Lenel, or Fusion. Demonstrate understanding of the use of technology/devices/equipment in assessing and improving facility operations systems and processes to achieve annual goals and maintain confidentiality.
• Handle all activities and often confidential information with patience, discretion, good judgment, courtesy, and tact while working with people from a wide variety of backgrounds.
• Prioritize and perform multiple projects/tasks, meet deadlines/timelines, respond to others in a timely manner, and work both independently and as a collaborative member of the College with a high standard of integrity and ethics, in support of the College's strategic vision and the division's/department's annual goals.
• Use exceptional organizational and time management skills to complete work with accuracy and a keen attention to detail.
• Effective, accurate, and clear communication with excellent verbal, written, interpersonal, reading, phone, and leadership skills to supervise, facilitate, motivate and inspire a highly diverse group of employees.
• Collaborate effectively with employees, parents, students, alumni, volunteers, community partners, and stakeholders as needed.
• Perform any other duties and/or responsibilities deemed necessary for the functioning and success of CMS Athletics, Physical Education, and Recreation.

OTHER:

REQUIRED HOURS: The regular hours for this full-time position will vary, with the flexibility to set work hours appropriate to the needs of the department. Holiday, weekend, and evening work hours will be required. Some travel may be required.

CLASSIFICATION AND STATUS: This is a regular, full-time, 12-month, exempt, benefits-eligible position.

Supervisor - AB1825: Yes

Mandatory Reporter - CA Penal Code: Yes

Responsible Employee - Title IX: Yes

Campus Security Authority - The Clery Act: Yes

IPEDS Category Job Code: 11-0000 - Management Occupations

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Heavy (up to 50 lbs.)

APPROXIMATE SALARY RANGE: The anticipated salary range is $75,000 - $85,000 per year. Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Claremont McKenna College offers employee benefits that include health, dental, and vision plans; flexible spending accounts; health savings accounts; paid vacation, sick, and holiday time; retirement benefits; basic and voluntary life insurance; dependent tuition remission; ride-share incentives; and more.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: Recreation staff, student workers.

REPORTS TO: This position reports to the Associate Athletic Director.

GROOMING AND APPEARANCE: Employees are expected to wear attire that is appropriate to the office or department in which they work.

BACKGROUND CHECK: The successful candidate will be required to undergo a full consumer background check. Certain positions will require the successful completion of a post-offer physical agility test. Employment is contingent on the satisfactory results of the aforementioned, in addition to compliance with the requirements cited in this job description.

ADA/OSHA: This job description defines the essential or fundamental job duties of this position. It is assumed that employees hired for this position can perform the essential functions of this job without imposing risk of substantial harm to the health or safety of themselves or others. It may also include marginal functions, generally defined within Title 1 of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified applicants with disabilities who self-disclose.

DISCLAIMER: This job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to this position. Duties and responsibilities can change and develop over time; accordingly the College reviews job descriptions on a periodic basis and may make changes of business necessity.

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