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Continuing to build on the history of excellence and achievement, Athletics & Recreation at York University (York) seeks a new collaborative and inclusive Executive Director, Athletics and Recreation (ED). York is building its leadership in innovative and equity-focused programs related to student support, and the ED is a key player in this. Initiatives include partnerships across the University and community to collaborate on developing and empowering students around their physical and mental health. The ED will play a key role in identifying potential partnerships, fostering a climate of innovation and best practices, and developing staff and student capacity to support campus-wide wellbeing.
Reporting to the Vice-Provost Students, the ED is responsible for inspiring excellence and fostering an environment that engages students through sport and recreational activities to achieve their academic goals and prepare them for future success. The ED is responsible for promoting student engagement through sport and recreational activities, heightening the University’s reputation, inspiring excellence, building community and collaboration in the pursuit of its goals and mission. The ED works collaboratively across the University in the pursuit of the Division of Student’s goals and mission. Utilizing a student-first and wellbeing approach to sports and recreation, the ED will ensure a culture of inclusion, equity, respect, accountability, and excellence across the portfolio and in all programs and services.
As Canada’s third largest university, York University is known for excellence inside and outside the academic learning environment. For more than 57 years, York has been the recipient of national and provincial athletic awards. Since the inception of organized interuniversity competition in 1965, York has won 178 provincial banners and 37 national titles. More than 500 student-athletes on 19 sport teams represent York University in Ontario University Athletics (OUA) and U SPORTS. Athletics & Recreation at York supports the educational mandate of the University and York’s history of excellence in sport reflects this commitment and strengthens the spirit and pride that binds it together as a community. We are expanding our academic partnerships and peer mentorship programs to provide increased academic and work integrated learning opportunities for our student-athletes and for the campus community.
The ED will lead strategic planning and implementation, financial and resource management, alumni, donor and stakeholder engagement and risk mitigation and management. They will have strategic oversight of the operation of multiple athletics facilities, including oversight and management of three-multi-party agreements essential to the delivery of outstanding programs.
Working closely with the senior management team, the ED establishes the student-first culture of excellence for student-athletes coaching, programming, student support services and community engagement. They further support a dynamic culture of recreation that provides opportunities to over 55,000 students on 3 campuses.
The incumbent will be a strategic, collaborative and relationship-oriented leader with proven senior leadership experience in complex organizations, along with strong organizational management skills. The ED will be excellent at overseeing the development, implementation and assessment of innovative and collaborative programming that engages the campus community in health and fitness, involves students in decision-making and prioritizes community engagement and education, including mentorship programs, community-related activities and community-oriented work integrated learning opportunities. The ideal candidate will have a broad knowledge and understanding of university sport and recreational programming and will possess senior managerial skills.
The next ED will possess a Master’s degree in higher education, student development, physical education/kinesiology/sport administration or equivalent, with ten years’ progressive experience in the leadership of large organizations. Experience in a postsecondary educational environment is strongly preferred. Significant experience in strategic planning, operational management, program development, and facilities management. Experience leading a large sport, recreation, athletic operation is an asset.
York University welcomes applicants who are committed to upholding the values of equity, diversity, and inclusion and who will assist with nurturing a positive, supportive and inclusive culture within Athletics & Recreation. Applications are particularly encouraged from members of groups that have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including Indigenous peoples, visible and ethnic minorities, persons with disabilities, women and 2SLGBTQ2+. Please note that all qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, applications from Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.
If you’re interested in this opportunity, contact Amorell Saunders N’Daw at [email protected] or Bola Moradeyo at [email protected] or submit your application online at : https://www.kbrs.ca/Career/16045
York University/college/organization will provide support in its recruitment processes to applicants with disabilities, including accommodation that takes into account an applicant’s accessibility needs. If you require accommodation in order to participate as a candidate in the recruitment process, please contact [email protected] or communicate your needs to the recruitment professional named in the job description.
York University