Stanford University
Executive Director, Recreation and Wellness
Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States, 94305
Overview
Executive Director, Recreation and Wellness — Department of Athletics, Physical Education and Recreation, Stanford, California. Stanford’s Recreation and Wellness program provides comprehensive recreation and wellness services campus-wide, including intramurals, club sports, aquatics, outdoor adventures, group fitness, mind-body studios, and wellness workshops. The role provides visionary leadership and strategic direction to support holistic development and well-being, manages multi‑million‑dollar budgets, leads a high-performing team, and builds cross‑campus partnerships to foster student belonging, engagement, and resilience. Responsibilities
Develop and execute a multi-year strategic plan for recreation and wellness aligned with DAPER’s mission and Stanford health objectives. Serve as a thought leader to galvanize stakeholders around evidence-based programming that drives participation and satisfaction metrics. Promote student development, engagement, and belonging through recreation and wellness programs; connect efforts to mental health, academic success, and resilience. Oversee all offerings (intramurals, club sports, aquatics, group fitness, outdoor adventures, mind-body studios, wellness workshops) and lead strategic marketing to increase awareness and participation. Manage a multi-million-dollar budget for facilities, staffing, and equipment; optimize resource allocation and ensure high-quality maintenance of gyms, pools, courts, and trails; develop revenue-generating programs 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; report quarterly on KPIs including participation, retention, health metrics, and equity measures. Forge strategic partnerships across Stanford units and external organizations to advance recreation and wellness initiatives. Uphold NCAA, Title IX, ADA, and Stanford policy compliance; lead risk assessments and emergency response planning for outdoor and high-risk activities. Qualifications
Education: Master’s degree required (preferably in Sports Management, Recreation Wellness, Kinesiology, Public Health, Recreation Management, or a related field). Experience: 10+ years in progressive leadership within collegiate or large-scale recreation/wellness programs; at least 5 years managing multi-million-dollar budgets. Leadership: Proven track record building high-performance, inclusive teams and driving measurable outcomes. Data Fluency: Strong analytical skills; comfortable with dashboards, surveys, and outcome studies. Compliance Expertise: Deep knowledge of intramural and club sports, NCAA regulations, Title IX, ADA, and risk management. Current CPR, AED, and First Aid certification or ability to obtain within 30 days of hire. Collaboration: Successful experience partnering with campus units, external vendors, and community stakeholders. Preferred Attributes
Champion innovative technology integration to enhance engagement and participation. Lead DEIB initiatives in recreation and wellness by designing inclusive programs and reducing participation barriers. Experience with Recreation and Wellness services integrated into Athletics. Core Competencies
Visionary Thinking: Craft programs that inspire lifelong well-being. Bold Communication: Direct, clear, and culturally resonant messaging. Operational Savvy: Balance big ideas with flawless execution. Emotional Intelligence: Lead diverse teams with empathy and adaptability. Innovator’s Mindset: Embrace trends and tech-driven solutions to meet evolving campus needs. Work Standards
Interpersonal Skills: Collaborate effectively with Stanford colleagues and external partners. Safety Culture: Promote safety, report concerns, and adhere to training and safe practices. Compliance: Adhere to University policies and procedures. Compensation & Additional Information
The expected pay range for this position is $206,749 to $225,000 per annum. Stanford provides pay ranges as a good faith estimate; actual pay is determined by scope, qualifications, department budget, internal equity, location, and market factors. Base pay is one component of the rewards package. The Cardinal at Work site offers detailed benefits information, discussed during the hiring process. The job duties listed are typical examples and not a comprehensive inventory of all duties. Additional duties may be assigned. Stanford is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer; all qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by law. 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 — Department of Athletics, Physical Education and Recreation, Stanford, California. Stanford’s Recreation and Wellness program provides comprehensive recreation and wellness services campus-wide, including intramurals, club sports, aquatics, outdoor adventures, group fitness, mind-body studios, and wellness workshops. The role provides visionary leadership and strategic direction to support holistic development and well-being, manages multi‑million‑dollar budgets, leads a high-performing team, and builds cross‑campus partnerships to foster student belonging, engagement, and resilience. Responsibilities
Develop and execute a multi-year strategic plan for recreation and wellness aligned with DAPER’s mission and Stanford health objectives. Serve as a thought leader to galvanize stakeholders around evidence-based programming that drives participation and satisfaction metrics. Promote student development, engagement, and belonging through recreation and wellness programs; connect efforts to mental health, academic success, and resilience. Oversee all offerings (intramurals, club sports, aquatics, group fitness, outdoor adventures, mind-body studios, wellness workshops) and lead strategic marketing to increase awareness and participation. Manage a multi-million-dollar budget for facilities, staffing, and equipment; optimize resource allocation and ensure high-quality maintenance of gyms, pools, courts, and trails; develop revenue-generating programs 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; report quarterly on KPIs including participation, retention, health metrics, and equity measures. Forge strategic partnerships across Stanford units and external organizations to advance recreation and wellness initiatives. Uphold NCAA, Title IX, ADA, and Stanford policy compliance; lead risk assessments and emergency response planning for outdoor and high-risk activities. Qualifications
Education: Master’s degree required (preferably in Sports Management, Recreation Wellness, Kinesiology, Public Health, Recreation Management, or a related field). Experience: 10+ years in progressive leadership within collegiate or large-scale recreation/wellness programs; at least 5 years managing multi-million-dollar budgets. Leadership: Proven track record building high-performance, inclusive teams and driving measurable outcomes. Data Fluency: Strong analytical skills; comfortable with dashboards, surveys, and outcome studies. Compliance Expertise: Deep knowledge of intramural and club sports, NCAA regulations, Title IX, ADA, and risk management. Current CPR, AED, and First Aid certification or ability to obtain within 30 days of hire. Collaboration: Successful experience partnering with campus units, external vendors, and community stakeholders. Preferred Attributes
Champion innovative technology integration to enhance engagement and participation. Lead DEIB initiatives in recreation and wellness by designing inclusive programs and reducing participation barriers. Experience with Recreation and Wellness services integrated into Athletics. Core Competencies
Visionary Thinking: Craft programs that inspire lifelong well-being. Bold Communication: Direct, clear, and culturally resonant messaging. Operational Savvy: Balance big ideas with flawless execution. Emotional Intelligence: Lead diverse teams with empathy and adaptability. Innovator’s Mindset: Embrace trends and tech-driven solutions to meet evolving campus needs. Work Standards
Interpersonal Skills: Collaborate effectively with Stanford colleagues and external partners. Safety Culture: Promote safety, report concerns, and adhere to training and safe practices. Compliance: Adhere to University policies and procedures. Compensation & Additional Information
The expected pay range for this position is $206,749 to $225,000 per annum. Stanford provides pay ranges as a good faith estimate; actual pay is determined by scope, qualifications, department budget, internal equity, location, and market factors. Base pay is one component of the rewards package. The Cardinal at Work site offers detailed benefits information, discussed during the hiring process. The job duties listed are typical examples and not a comprehensive inventory of all duties. Additional duties may be assigned. Stanford is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer; all qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by law. Additional Information
Schedule: Full-time Job Code: 4143 Employee Status: Regular Grade: M Requisition ID: 106984 Work Arrangement: On Site
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