The primary location of this position is on-site in Cullowhee, NC. This position is designated as being exempt from the State of North Carolina Human Resources Act (EHRA). The Director oversees recreation programs and services while also supervising the operations of the department, including intramural recreational sports, club sports, fitness, aquatics, outdoor programs, the Campus Recreation Center, the Catamount Disc Golf Course, Reid Pool, the WCU Multiuse Trail system and the recreation fields. The Director of Campus Recreation works within the Division of Student Affairs' Health and Wellness Unit to provide intentional collaboration with the Health Services, Schlosser Family Center for Counseling and Psychological Services, and Wellness Promotion to provide services and programs that promote individual and community wellness and that encourage students to stay involved, healthy and well. The Director of Campus Recreation participates in long-range planning and implementation of programs and services, student fee stewardship, data and assessment, division and institution compliance, and assumes other responsibilities as directed by the Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs-Health and Wellness. Minimum Qualifications Interested candidates must already be legally authorized to work in the United States and will not require any immigration sponsorship or support.

Education:

A Master's degree in Recreation, Business, Management, Higher Education Student Affairs or a related area is required.

Experience:

At least three years of successful administrative experience in higher education is required.

Requires experience in:

recreational programming including the development and implementation of successful programs; working with small and large groups of students in intramural sports, fitness, aquatics, and outdoor programs; managing a large budget; managing recreational facilities; and supervising professional and student staff.

Skills:

Requires exceptional organizational, management, leadership, communication, budgeting and interpersonal skills.

Certifications:

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) with Automated External Defibrillation (AED) and First Aid certification are required. Preferred Qualifications At least three years of experience in recreational programming on the university or college level. Experience in managing campus recreational facilities. Position Type Permanent Full-Time Number of Hours Per Week 40 Number of Months Per Year 12 Posting Text Open Date 09/18/2026 Close Date Open Until Filled Yes Special Instructions to Applicants Application materials must be submitted online. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until a candidate has been selected for hire. Please include a cover letter, current resume, and a list of three professional references with complete contact information. For questions or additional information please contact Pam Buchanan at pmbuchanan@wcu.edu Background/E-Verify Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. Western Carolina University uses E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify . Proper documentation of identity and employability are required at the time of employment. Credential Verification All new employees are required to have listed credentials/degrees verified within 30 days of employment. All new employees who will be teaching are required to provide official transcripts within 30 days of employment. Transcripts should be provided for the highest earned degree and/or the degree which is being used to satisfy credential/qualification requirements. EOE Western Carolina University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; ethnicity; religion; sex; pregnancy; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; national origin; age; disability; genetic information; political affiliation; National Guard or veteran status, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations, and policies, and the policies of The University of North Carolina. Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations in the application and interview process please call (828) 227-7218 or email at jobs@email.wcu.edu. University Safety The Western Carolina University Annual Safety Report is available online at University Annual Safety Report or in hard-copy by request at the office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, 227 HFR Administration Building, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7147) or the Office of University Police, 111 Camp Annex, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7301). The report, required of all universities participating in Title IV student financial aid programs, discusses crime statistics, procedures for reporting suspicious or criminal activity, security, police authority, crime prevention strategies, university policies on substance abuse and sexual offenses, workplace violence and fire safety.