Director, Athletics and Recreation, Varsity Athletics

University of British Columbia View all jobs

  • Kelowna, BC
  • Permanent
  • Full-time
  • 15 days ago
Staff - Non UnionJob Category M&P - AAPSJob Profile AAPS Salaried - Athletics and Recreation, Level EJob Title Director, Athletics and Recreation, Varsity AthleticsDepartment UBCO | Program Administration | UBCO | AVP StudentsCompensation Range $10,742.83 - $16,760.83 CAD MonthlyThe Compensation Range is the span between the minimum and maximum base salary for a position. The midpoint of the range is approximately halfway between the minimum and the maximum and represents an employee that possesses full job knowledge, qualifications and experience for the position. In the normal course, employees will be hired, transferred or promoted between the minimum and midpoint of the salary range for a job.Posting End Date April 21, 2026Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.Job End Date OngoingAt UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career.Job SummaryAthletics and Recreation champions sport, physical activity and wellbeing at UBC Okanagan, and contributes to the holistic development of students, student-athletes, faculty and staff. Athletics and Recreation fosters a sense of belonging, campus spirit, and strong partnerships within the community. This position ensures alignment with institutional goals, strategic priorities, and the mission, vision, and values of the portfolio. This is achieved through the provision of student-centered services and programs that support the wellbeing of students for their personal and academic success.The Director, Athletics & Recreation, Varsity Athletics provides strategic and performance-focused leadership for the institution’s varsity sport program within the U SPORTS framework. The role is responsible for competitive excellence, coaching leadership, student-athlete success, and U SPORTS compliance. This position works closely with the Director, Athletic Operations to provide shared decision making for the Athletics and Recreation Department. This role works in close collaboration to ensure integrated delivery and alignment with the university’s academic mission and values.Organizational Status
Reports to the Associate Vice-President Students and works closely with the Director, Athletics & Recreation, Operations.Work PerformedStrategic Leadership & Program DevelopmentProvides strategic leadership in setting and advancing the department’s vision, priorities, policies, and objectives in alignment with the AVP Students portfolio and university strategic goals.Provide vision and leadership for the varsity sport program consistent with institutional priorities and U SPORTS standards.Develop and implement short- and long-term strategic plans to enhance competitive performance, student-athlete experience, and program sustainability.Foster a culture of integrity, equity, inclusion, and respect across all varsity sport programs.Leads the planning, implementation, and evaluation of innovative, evidence-based programs and services that respond to evolving student, student-athlete, and campus community needs.Builds and sustains collaborative partnerships across campus and with community organizations to enhance service delivery, resource development, and student wellbeing, recreation, sport, and experiential learning outcomes.Represents the department on institutional committees and works closely with the Office of the AVP Students and the Students’ Union to ensure alignment, accountability, and responsiveness to student needs.Provide leadership in fostering a psychologically safe and inclusive athletics environment, ensuring alignment with Safe Sport principles and institutional policies. Oversee the implementation of Safe Sport education and training, establish clear reporting and response processes, and lead the effective management of concerns to promote athlete well-being, trust, and accountability.Varsity Sport Performance & CoordinationProvide oversight of varsity sport competitive delivery, including season planning, competition priorities, and championship readiness.Collaborate with the Director, Athletic Operations on scheduling, travel logistics, facilities access, and event delivery.Work with sport medicine, strength & conditioning, and academic support units to optimize student-athlete performance and well-being.Contribute to risk management and safety planning, with operational execution led by Athletic Operations.Coaching Leadership & Human ResourcesProvide leadership and direction to Head Coaches and General Managers for 8 teams; a team of Athletic Therapists, and high-quality student learning opportunities and partnerships.Recruit, hire, supervise, mentor, and evaluate head coaches and key varsity sport staff.Support coaches in athlete development, performance planning, and adherence to institutional and U SPORTS policies.Promote professional development opportunities for coaching and support staff.Student-Athlete Experience & SuccessChampion student-athlete academic success, wellness, leadership development, and personal growth.Ensure policies and practices support equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility within varsity sport.Address student-athlete conduct, eligibility, discipline, and appeals in collaboration with institutional partners.Oversee the Student Athlete Success position to ensure student athletes receive high quality orientation, comply with U-Sport eligibility, and receive academic advising.Compliance & GovernanceEnsure full compliance with U SPORTS, conference, and institutional rules, policies, and eligibility requirements.Serve as the institutional lead for varsity sport governance, including conference and U SPORTS committees as assigned.Oversee internal controls, documentation, and reporting related to compliance and eligibility.Resource Planning & Financial OversightProvide strategic input into varsity sport budget planning, staffing models, and resource allocation.Works closely with the Finance Manager and the Director, Athletic Operations to plan, forecast, and report out on quarterly budgets.Monitor program needs and priorities while day-to-day financial administration is managed by the Director, Athletic Operations.Reviews monthly and quarterly unit financial statements in partnership with the Director, Athletics & Recreation, Varsity Athletics and the Finance Manager to ensure expenditures are consistent with operating plan and develops strategies to balance flow of expenditures over the course of the fiscal period.Collaborate with advancement, alumni, and external partners to support varsity sport fundraising and sponsorship initiatives.Collaborate with Development and Alumni Engagement and external partners to support fundraising and sponsorship initiatives related to varsity sport.Community Engagement, Fundraising & Alumni EngagementRepresent the university at U SPORTS, conference, and external meetings and events.Strengthen relationships with alumni, donors, community partners, and stakeholders.Support marketing, communications, and brand-building initiatives that enhance the visibility and reputation of varsity sport.Works with Development & Alumni Engagement (DAE) to develop and lead team fundraising and alumni initiatives.With DAE, develops goals and priorities for fundraising, and works with donors to support team success through philanthropy.With support from DAE, Develop and maintains connections with alumni and provides opportunities for alumni engagement, including participation in Homecoming, community engagements, and fundraising activities like Giving Day.Works with the Athletics & Recreation team to identify, cultivate, and maintain sponsorship opportunities that align with the club’s programs, events, and strategic goals.Consequence of Error/Judgement
This position makes independent decisions and is expected to exercise judgment, diplomacy and tact in all interactions associated within the function of this position. Errors in decision making can have serious negative effects on the departments and the University’s public relations and/or the department’s relations with Faculties and other departments.Supervision Received
The position reports to the AVP Students who provides general guidance however, the execution of duties requires a high level of judgement and independence.Supervision Given
Provides leadership to, and management of, a team that includes professional and student staff. Responsible for the recruitment, training, supervision, evaluating and termination of staff if necessary.Minimum Qualifications
Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. Minimum of nine years of related experience, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.- Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own- Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion.Preferred QualificationsMaster’s degree in a relevant discipline preferred.Education in Sport/Recreation Management and experience in Human Kinetics/Physical Education and Business/Commerce/Management is preferred.Supervisory experience required.Experience working with Indigenous people/organizations, people with diverse abilities, and people of colour in post-secondary education.Proven sensibility and appreciation of the role that gender, race, disability, gender identity, sexuality, social background play in the experience of students.Must have a strong commitment to advancing the educational aspirations of people with disabilities.Experience in working in strategic planning, and experience and knowledge of university governance, structures, policies and procedures, academic programs and student services is essential.Experience providing financial oversight and managing budgets.A working knowledge of ActiveNet- recreation software provided by the ActiveNetworkA thorough understanding of the sport/recreation/fitness industry.Demonstrated oral and written communication, interpersonal, financial, computer and organizational skills essential.A thorough understanding of the provision of excellent customer service and the ability to empower others to do so.Strong initiative and proven ability to work independently as well as in a team environmentResults-oriented.Demonstrated conflict-resolution skills.Evening and weekend work required.Travel required for competitions, meetings, and championships.

University of British Columbia