Senior Director, Athletics and Recreation

Overview

The University of Guelph, Department of Athletics & Recreation seeks a Senior Director, Athletics and Recreation to provide strategic leadership and operational oversight of a comprehensive Athletics and Recreation portfolio. The role supports student engagement, well-being, and institutional reputation, and contributes to division-wide planning related to strategy, staffing, budget, and policy. The Senior Director ensures programs are aligned with the university mission and uphold anti-racist, accessible, inclusive, and trauma-informed practices that promote safe, meaningful, and developmentally rich experiences for all students.

Reporting to the Vice-Provost, Student Affairs, the Senior Director manages an operating budget exceeding $14 million, an annual capital renewal budget of approximately $2 million, and oversees about 66 full-time staff and 800 part-time staff, making the department the University’s largest employer of students. The portfolio includes recreation and programming; high performance sport; marketing, communications, and events; facility development and management; finance and administration; human resources; equity, diversity and inclusion; and alumni engagement. The role also involves 4,000 youth community participants through Junior Gryphons programming and related summer camps.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and operational oversight of the Athletics and Recreation portfolio, ensuring alignment with the academic mission and student development goals.
• Lead and develop high-performing teams in both unionized and non-unionized environments.
• Oversee budgeting, financial planning, risk management, and regulatory compliance within a post-secondary context.
• Collaborate on revenue generation, fundraising, donor engagement, and stewardship activities aligned with department and university priorities.
• Represent the department at community, provincial, and national levels, promoting collaboration and accountability.
• Foster an inclusive, respectful, and high-engagement workplace culture with strong emotional intelligence and integrity.
• Address complex, high-profile issues with professionalism and confidentiality as an ambassador for Athletics and Recreation.
• Ensure equity-related strategies, policy implementation, and investigations related to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion are advanced and implemented.

Qualifications

• Significant management-level experience in an organization with a sports-related program or service mandate; strong financial acumen with experience managing large, complex budgets.
• Undergraduate and/or Master’s degree; lived university experience is an asset.
• Experience overseeing recreational programs and high-performance sports; leadership of teams in diverse employment environments.
• Systems thinker capable of translating strategy into operational outcomes; deep knowledge of regulatory compliance and risk management in the post-secondary or public sector.
• Commitment to student development, ethical leadership in sport, inclusive practices, and academic success.
• Ability to manage high-profile, sensitive issues with professionalism and integrity; comfortable engaging with community, provincial, and national partners.
• Experience with fundraising, donor engagement, and philanthropic activities aligned with university priorities.
• Demonstrated experience advancing equity-related strategy and Indigenization, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion initiatives.

Location, Work Environment, and Compensation

The position is on-site at the University of Guelph with a Flexible Work Arrangement subject to departmental approval. Programming and leadership responsibilities often extend into evenings and weekends. The target salary range is $169,481 to $189,481, commensurate with experience, and the position is represented by the Professional Staff Association (P13 level). The total compensation package includes a comprehensive employee wellness program.

Application Process

To apply, submit a comprehensive resume and cover letter in confidence. For inquiries, contact the Griffith Group representatives responsible for the search. Detailed information about the opportunity is available on the Griffith Group site.

Equity and Inclusion

The University of Guelph welcomes applications from all qualified individuals, including women, Indigenous persons, racialized persons, persons with disabilities, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities. All qualified candidates are welcome to apply; however, priority will be given to those legally eligible to work in Canada. The University and Griffith Group are committed to an inclusive, accessible hiring process and will provide reasonable accommodations upon request during recruitment and assessment processes.