Director of Intercollegiate Athletics and Recreation

About Roger Williams University:

At Roger Williams University, students are prepared to be thinkers and doers ready to solve challenging problems with innovative solutions. RWU offers 50 majors and robust offerings of graduate and professional programs across eight schools of study including Rhode Island's only law school, with campuses on the coast of Bristol and in the heart of Providence, R.I. With small classrooms and a focus on undergraduate and graduate research and community engagement, a Roger Williams education blends the strength of liberal arts and professional studies, providing all students with the depth and breadth of interdisciplinary thinking and well-rounded knowledge necessary to succeed in our interconnected, global world. RWU is committed to strengthening society through engaged scholarship so that students graduate with the ability to think critically and apply the practical skills that today's employers demand.

Roger Williams University seeks to recruit and support a broadly diverse community of faculty and staff. We value all races, genders, identities, and abilities. RWU is committed to creating a thriving community that encourages lifelong learning, professional development, and academic innovation.  

To learn more about Roger Williams University's commitment and support of diversity and inclusion, please visit https://www.rwu.edu/who-we-are/diversity-equity-inclusion.

Job Description:

The Director of Intercollegiate Athletics and Recreation is responsible for providing leadership and oversight for all varsity athletic and club sports teams, intramural and recreation programs and facilities. Reporting directly to the Vice President for Student Life, the Director champions a "student-athlete first" Division III experience encompassing student success and well-being, leadership development, community involvement and athletic excellence. Responsibilities include supervision of all personnel, competition and travel scheduling and oversight of facility use by internal and external groups. The Director must be a highly visible, approachable, ethical, inclusive and engaged leader.

Management, Planning, Financial Leadership and Fundraising
Administer varsity athletic, club sports, intramural and recreation operational and equipment budgets within university policy guidelines and participate in quarterly budget reviews with university finance.

Collaborate with Advancement in development of a comprehensive, growth-oriented fundraising strategy to enhance the student-athlete experience and secure transformational facility improvement gifts. Inspire affinity and engagement amongst alumni and parents.

Collaborate with institutional and departmental professionals on promoting athletic communications through social/digital channels, storytelling and brand strategy.

Develop strategic plan for improving club and recreational programs that helps strengthen involvement and sense of belonging on campus.

Foster engaging game day and spectator experiences that can elevate athletic events as a focal point for campus pride and school spirit, partnering across campus to increase attendance, deepen student engagement, and strengthen community connection. 

Administration, Partnerships and Compliance 
Maintain a modern compliance program encompassing NCAA, Title IX, Hazing, eligibility, NIL policies, and monitoring systems that prioritize education, equity, community standards and a safe sport culture.

Align departmental student recruitment philosophy, strategies, and commitment to the values of academic excellence and student belonging with Academic Affairs, Enrollment Management, Student Life and Equity and Inclusion Divisions.

Develop, recommend and coordinate capital improvements for athletic and recreational facilities.

Actively participate in NCAA, Conference of New England, Interscholastic Sailing Association and other conference affiliations.

Promote departmental risk management through proactive travel risk assessment, emergency planning response, and event safety and spectator behavior monitoring.

Actively participate in Student Life divisional meetings, initiatives, and strategic planning. 

Requirements:

Master's degree in physical education and/or Athletic Administration or related field.

Eight to ten years experience in Athletics and at least five years in a higher education management /administration role in intercollegiate athletics.

Experience in coaching and administration at the intercollegiate level.

Experience in a multitude of sports, intramural/recreation type activities in a competitive, coaching or administrative setting.

Ability to teach, guide and evaluate coaches and other support staff.

Experience with purchasing equipment, care and reconditioning and facility maintenance with particular concerns for product safety and hazard free facilities and fields.

Knowledge of safety/prevention of athletic injuries.

Knowledge of federal and state laws pertaining to Title IX ramifications and equity guidelines in addition to legal liability procedures under tort law.  

At the University's discretion, the education and experience prerequisites may be excepted where the candidate can demonstrate, to the satisfaction of the University, an equivalent combination of education and experience specifically preparing the candidate for success in the position.

Additional Information:

Roger Williams University is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and committed to a diverse workforce. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or any other basis protected by applicable state and federal law. For information on our Non-discrimination policy, visit here.

RWU prohibits all forms of discrimination on the basis of sex in its education programs and activities and is required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX) and its implementing regulations not to discriminate in such a manner. Complaints of Title IX sexual harassment should be reported to the Title IX Coordinator at the contact information listed below. Details regarding the formal complaint process can be found here: Title IX Sexual Harassment Policy and Procedures. All complaints of sexual harassment will be taken seriously and responded to promptly. TITLE IX COORDINATOR: Dr. Jen Stanley, 1 Old Ferry Road, Bristol, RI 02809 / Phone Number: (401) 254-3123 /Email Address: jstanley@rwu.edu

Application Instructions:

Please attach a resume, cover letter, and list of three (3) professional references.