Director of Athletics & Recreation

University of Chicago is looking for a Full time to join our program. Apply now. About the Department With a rich and storied history, the University of Chicago’s Department of Athletics & Recreation endeavors to serve the broad range of fitness, physical recreation, and athletic interests of the University community and its neighbors. A member of the University Athletic Association (UAA) and NCAA Division III, the University fields 20 intercollegiate varsity teams that compete against many of the nation's finest academic institutions. In addition to the varsity program, the Department of Athletics & Recreation sponsors 40 student-led sport clubs, an intramural sports program that provides competition in 19 sports for over 5,000 participants, and a FitChicago program that offers more than 50 classes each quarter to the University community. Job Summary The Director of Athletics & Recreation is a senior leader within the Campus and Student Life (CSL) cluster, reporting directly to the Vice President for Campus and Student Life. The Director is responsible for the leadership, management, and oversight of the Department of Athletics & Recreation, including its programs, facilities, and personnel. The Director will provide strategic vision and direction for the department, ensuring that it aligns with the University's mission and values. The Director will also represent the University in athletics-related matters at the local, regional, and national levels. Responsibilities - Provide strategic leadership and vision for the Department of Athletics & Recreation. - Oversee the development and implementation of departmental goals, policies, and procedures. - Manage the department's budget and resources, ensuring fiscal responsibility and accountability. - Recruit, hire, train, and evaluate departmental staff, including coaches and administrators. - Foster a culture of excellence, integrity, and sportsmanship within the department. - Ensure compliance with all NCAA, UAA, and University rules and regulations. - Promote the academic success and well-being of student-athletes. - Develop and maintain strong relationships with alumni, donors, and other stakeholders. - Oversee the management and maintenance of athletic and recreational facilities. - Represent the University at conferences, meetings, and other events. - Perform other related duties as assigned. Competencies - The University of Chicago welcomes current athletic leaders, as well as those whose intellectual curiosity, collegiality, and proven understanding of Division III athletics will serve the University well. The successful candidate will bring many of the following professional qualifications and personal qualities: - Excitement and optimism for the role of athletics and recreation in higher education. - Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. - Proven ability to lead and manage a complex organization. - Strong communication, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills. - Knowledge of NCAA Division III rules and regulations. - Experience in budget management and fundraising. - Ability to build and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of constituencies, both within and outside the institution. - Proven skills as a senior manager in a complex organization. Demonstrated ability to mentor and develop staff and successful oversight of people, budget, and space. An inclination to clarity and accountability. - The flexibility, managerial creativity, and resiliency required to achieve results in an intricate organization. Openness to risk, change, and criticism. A high degree of self-confidence and the ability to face challenges calmly. - Ability to build creative partnerships and engage faculty, students, staff and parents as champions of athletics. - Demonstrated capacity to communicate broadly across the University and work across boundaries, cultivate and sustain collegial relationships, and build unity around difficult issues. - The maturity, presence, and gravitas to engage effectively with all constituencies and embody the University’s values. For full consideration, application materials should be submitted to Parker Executive Search's website: https://www.parkersearch.com/opportunities/director-of-athletics-and-recre... by April 24, 2026. When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Resume/CV of the application.