Inside Higher Ed
Executive Director, Recreation and Wellness
Inside Higher Ed, Palo Alto, California, United States, 94306
Overview
Executive Director, Recreation and Wellness — Stanford, CA. Stanford’s Department of Athletics, Physical Education and Recreation (DAPER) invites applications for the role of Executive Director of Recreation & Wellness. The department is the premier intercollegiate athletics and recreation program, hosting multiple facilities and services that support student health, belonging, and well-being through movement, adventure, play, and learning. The Executive Director will provide visionary leadership and strategic direction for a comprehensive recreation and wellness program, overseeing intramurals, club sports, aquatics, outdoor adventures, wellness workshops, and related offerings. This role manages multimillion-dollar budgets, leads a high-performing team, and builds cross-campus partnerships to foster student belonging, engagement, and resilience. A data-driven and innovative leader, the position champions operational excellence, financial sustainability, inclusive programming, and continuous improvement in line with Stanford’s health, wellness, and community goals. Core Responsibilities
Develop and execute a multi-year strategic plan for recreation and wellness aligned with DAPER’s mission and Stanford’s health objectives. Serve as a thought-leader, galvanizing stakeholders around evidence-based programming that drives participation and satisfaction metrics campus-wide. Focus on student development, engagement, and belonging through recreation and wellness programs, integrating wellbeing with mental health, academic success, and resilience. Oversee all recreational offerings (intramurals, club sports, aquatics, group fitness, outdoor adventure, mind-body studios, wellness workshops) and strategic marketing/communications to increase awareness and participation. Manage a multi-million-dollar budget for facilities, staffing, and equipment; optimize resource allocation to maximize ROI and user experience; ensure facility maintenance in collaboration with Capital Projects and Facilities. Develop and manage revenue-generating programs (memberships, external rentals, partnerships) to support long-term financial sustainability. Recruit, mentor, and lead a diverse team of directors, program managers, and frontline staff; foster a culture of continuous improvement and professional growth. Leverage participation analytics, satisfaction surveys, and health outcome data to iterate programs and demonstrate impact; report quarterly to COO on KPIs (participation, retention, health metrics, equity). Forge strategic partnerships across Stanford units (Student Affairs, Athletics, Counseling, Residential Life) and external organizations. Uphold NCAA, Title IX, ADA, and Stanford policy compliance; lead risk assessments and emergency planning for outdoor and high-risk activities. Required Qualifications
Master’s degree required in a related field (e.g., Sports Management, Recreation Wellness, Kinesiology, Public Health, Recreation Management). 10+ years in progressive leadership roles within collegiate or large-scale recreation/wellness programs; minimum 5 years managing multi-million-dollar budgets. Proven track record building high-performance, inclusive teams and driving measurable outcomes. Strong data fluency with dashboards, surveys, and outcome studies. Deep knowledge of intramural/club sports, NCAA regulations, Title IX, ADA requirements, and risk management. Current CPR, AED and First Aid certification or ability to obtain within 30 days of hire. Collaborative experience partnering with campus units, external vendors, and community stakeholders. Preferred Attributes
Champion innovative technology integration (app-based engagement, online programming, analytics) to improve accessibility and participation. Lead DEIB initiatives in recreation and wellness, designing inclusive programs and reducing participation barriers, in partnership with campus identity centers. Core Competencies
Visionary Thinking: Crafting programs that inspire lifelong well-being. Bold Communication: Clear, direct, culturally resonant messaging. Operational Savvy: Balancing big ideas with flawless execution. Emotional Intelligence: Leading diverse teams with empathy and adaptability. Innovator’s Mindset: Embracing trends and tech-driven solutions to meet evolving campus needs. Work Standards
Interpersonal Skills: Effectively collaborate with Stanford colleagues and external partners. Promote Culture of Safety: Commitment to safety, safe behaviors, and training. Compliance: Adhere to university policies and procedures. The expected pay range for this position is $206,749 to $225,000 per annum. Stanford provides pay ranges as a good faith estimate and offers a comprehensive rewards package beyond base pay. Specifics about rewards are discussed during the hiring process. Note: The above duties are typical examples and not an exhaustive inventory of all duties. Stanford is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. Reasonable accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities. Additional Information
Schedule: Full-time Job Code: 4143 Employee Status: Regular Grade: M Requisition ID: 106984 Work Arrangement: On Site
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Executive Director, Recreation and Wellness — Stanford, CA. Stanford’s Department of Athletics, Physical Education and Recreation (DAPER) invites applications for the role of Executive Director of Recreation & Wellness. The department is the premier intercollegiate athletics and recreation program, hosting multiple facilities and services that support student health, belonging, and well-being through movement, adventure, play, and learning. The Executive Director will provide visionary leadership and strategic direction for a comprehensive recreation and wellness program, overseeing intramurals, club sports, aquatics, outdoor adventures, wellness workshops, and related offerings. This role manages multimillion-dollar budgets, leads a high-performing team, and builds cross-campus partnerships to foster student belonging, engagement, and resilience. A data-driven and innovative leader, the position champions operational excellence, financial sustainability, inclusive programming, and continuous improvement in line with Stanford’s health, wellness, and community goals. Core Responsibilities
Develop and execute a multi-year strategic plan for recreation and wellness aligned with DAPER’s mission and Stanford’s health objectives. Serve as a thought-leader, galvanizing stakeholders around evidence-based programming that drives participation and satisfaction metrics campus-wide. Focus on student development, engagement, and belonging through recreation and wellness programs, integrating wellbeing with mental health, academic success, and resilience. Oversee all recreational offerings (intramurals, club sports, aquatics, group fitness, outdoor adventure, mind-body studios, wellness workshops) and strategic marketing/communications to increase awareness and participation. Manage a multi-million-dollar budget for facilities, staffing, and equipment; optimize resource allocation to maximize ROI and user experience; ensure facility maintenance in collaboration with Capital Projects and Facilities. Develop and manage revenue-generating programs (memberships, external rentals, partnerships) to support long-term financial sustainability. Recruit, mentor, and lead a diverse team of directors, program managers, and frontline staff; foster a culture of continuous improvement and professional growth. Leverage participation analytics, satisfaction surveys, and health outcome data to iterate programs and demonstrate impact; report quarterly to COO on KPIs (participation, retention, health metrics, equity). Forge strategic partnerships across Stanford units (Student Affairs, Athletics, Counseling, Residential Life) and external organizations. Uphold NCAA, Title IX, ADA, and Stanford policy compliance; lead risk assessments and emergency planning for outdoor and high-risk activities. Required Qualifications
Master’s degree required in a related field (e.g., Sports Management, Recreation Wellness, Kinesiology, Public Health, Recreation Management). 10+ years in progressive leadership roles within collegiate or large-scale recreation/wellness programs; minimum 5 years managing multi-million-dollar budgets. Proven track record building high-performance, inclusive teams and driving measurable outcomes. Strong data fluency with dashboards, surveys, and outcome studies. Deep knowledge of intramural/club sports, NCAA regulations, Title IX, ADA requirements, and risk management. Current CPR, AED and First Aid certification or ability to obtain within 30 days of hire. Collaborative experience partnering with campus units, external vendors, and community stakeholders. Preferred Attributes
Champion innovative technology integration (app-based engagement, online programming, analytics) to improve accessibility and participation. Lead DEIB initiatives in recreation and wellness, designing inclusive programs and reducing participation barriers, in partnership with campus identity centers. Core Competencies
Visionary Thinking: Crafting programs that inspire lifelong well-being. Bold Communication: Clear, direct, culturally resonant messaging. Operational Savvy: Balancing big ideas with flawless execution. Emotional Intelligence: Leading diverse teams with empathy and adaptability. Innovator’s Mindset: Embracing trends and tech-driven solutions to meet evolving campus needs. Work Standards
Interpersonal Skills: Effectively collaborate with Stanford colleagues and external partners. Promote Culture of Safety: Commitment to safety, safe behaviors, and training. Compliance: Adhere to university policies and procedures. The expected pay range for this position is $206,749 to $225,000 per annum. Stanford provides pay ranges as a good faith estimate and offers a comprehensive rewards package beyond base pay. Specifics about rewards are discussed during the hiring process. Note: The above duties are typical examples and not an exhaustive inventory of all duties. Stanford is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. Reasonable accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities. Additional Information
Schedule: Full-time Job Code: 4143 Employee Status: Regular Grade: M Requisition ID: 106984 Work Arrangement: On Site
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