Director of University Recreation - Birmingham, Alabama, United States

Overview · CENTERS, LLC is a professional management firm specializing in facility, operation, and program management for higher education. CENTERS' management approach is customized for each client yet retains our uniform quality. Our firm unites site staff with a centralized ad ...

Job description

Overview

CENTERS, LLC is a professional management firm specializing in facility, operation, and program management for higher education. CENTERS' management approach is customized for each client yet retains our uniform quality. Our firm unites site staff with a centralized administrative team, each contributing to the firm's goals and client needs. The CENTERS team is innovative, entrepreneurial, trail-blazing, and ambitious for both CENTERS and our clients. Today, CENTERS provides management services for 14 clients.

Commitment to the well-being, security, and future of our employees is a priority. View the comprehensive information about the competitive benefits package on our careers page then scroll down to CENTERS Benefits (click link to view).

Responsibilities

The Director - University Recreation leads the strategic vision, operations, and financial performance of a large, high-profile campus recreation department to advance client outcomes in student recruitment, retention, satisfaction, and well-being. This position oversees the financial management and risk mitigation of the 158,000 sq. ft. recreation center and associated programs and services. The Director serves as the on-site account manager and spokesperson, guiding policy, partnerships, and business planning to deliver safe, innovative, and student-centered recreation programs and services. This position reports to CENTERS Vice President - Operations and collaborates with other directors and their respective teams within the Division of Student Affairs.

This position will be the most senior on-site CENTERS employee at our University of Alabama - Birmingham client location. University Recreation (URec) provides fitness, wellness, and recreational opportunities for the UAB community and beyond. The Campus Recreation Center gives UAB Students and URec members the opportunity to access a large aquatic center, fitness center, studio space, indoor 36-foot-high climbing wall, four gym courts, multipurpose gym, four racquetball courts, squash court, and indoor track.

Responsibilities:

• Translate client vision and desired outcomes into actionable strategies and develop inclusive policies that foster engagement and retention.
• Lead annual business planning and staff retreats to sustain a clear mission and measurable goals; create membership and program driven operational goal.
• Execute standards and procedures that ensure resilient, high-quality operations for a high-occupancy, high-visibility asset.
• Proactively manage risks and maintain compliance to deliver uninterrupted services and positive campus impact.
• Build and manage operating and capital budgets; coordinate all capital equipment purchases and projects with client and CENTERS.
• Maintain financial models and implement cost-effective strategies that maximize resources.
• Ensure timely reporting and audit-ready documentation to strengthen client trust.
• Oversee comprehensive recreation, wellness, and fitness programs; continuously innovate offerings.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for high-level inquiries, navigating institutional governance to deliver acceptable outcomes.
• Build strong partnerships across campus and oversee branding efforts that elevate visibility and engagement.
• Leverage data insights to refine strategies and sustain continuous improvement aligned with client objectives.
• Assist with all aspects of lifecycle asset management and capital project planning.
• Serve on university and CENTERS committees.

Staff Supervision:

• Select, train, manage, and evaluate staff. Oversee, through downstream managers, multiple functional disciplines. 
• Plan department staffing levels in conjunction with Human Resources.

Site Specific Responsibilities

• Meet regularly with the AVP, Student Health and Well-being and VP, Student Affairs to discuss department effectiveness, fiscal recommendations and university initiatives.

Qualifications

Education and Experience

• Master's degree; MBA preferred
• Must have at least seven (7) years of professional experience in a university recreation environment.
• Demonstrated leadership and supervisory abilities; previous experience as a director preferred.
• Demonstrated budgetary experience (preferred scale: $3-6 million).
• Demonstrated personnel management experience (preferred scale: 3-5 direct reports).
• Knowledge of industry standard practices.
• Demonstrated experience and ability to work as part of, and lead a collaborative, professional team.

Skills and Abilities

• Entrepreneurial spirit and enthusiasm.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
• Ability to write concise, logical reports; proficiency in presenting proposals/reports to large groups.
• Analytical skills to identify problems, assess alternatives, and render consistent, logical decisions
• Ability to thrive in an environment that values high expectations, accountability, and balanced lifestyle choices

Work Environment and Physical Demands

Work Environment:

• Physical presence on-site at client location
• Office, sporting, and fitness center environment
• Non-smoking environment
• Moderate to loud noise
• Maintain flexible work hours for events that may occur on weekends and evenings
• Regional and national travel as required

Physical Demands:

• Sitting at desk or table for at least 70% of the work day
• Standing or walking for at least 30% of the work day
• Must be able to traverse throughout the arena and campus. Regularly ascending/descending building levels and occasionally ladders or stools.
• Must be able to lift, move and set up items weighing as much as 30 lbs.
• Must be able to discuss, converse with, and exchange accurate information with arena patrons, staff, stakeholders, etc.

Other Duties:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.