Director of Programs for University Recreation + Wellness

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Closing Date:

05/30/2026

Type of Position:

Student Activities and EngagementNo

Job Type:

RegularDay Shift (United States of America)No

Institution Name:

University of Arkansas, Fayetteville

Founded in 1871, the University of Arkansas is a land grant institution, classified by the Carnegie Foundation among the nation’s top 2 percent of universities with the highest level of research activity. The University of Arkansas works to advance the state and build a better world through education, research, and outreach by providing transformational opportunities and skills, fostering a welcoming climate, and nurturing creativity, discovery, and the spread of new ideas and innovations.

The University of Arkansas campus is located in Fayetteville, a welcoming community ranked as one of the best places to live in the U.S. The growing region surrounding Fayetteville is home to numerous Fortune 500 companies and one of the nation’s strongest economies. Northwest Arkansas is also quickly gaining a national reputation for its focus on the arts and overall quality of life.

As an employer, the University of Arkansas offers a vibrant work environment and a workplace culture that promotes a healthy work-life balance. The benefits package includes university contributions to health, dental, life and disability insurance, tuition waivers for employees and their families, 12 official holidays, immediate leave accrual, and a choice of retirement programs with university contributions ranging from 5 to 10% of employee salary.

Below you will find the details for the position including any supplementary documentation and questions, you should review before applying for the opening.

If you have a disability and need assistance with the hiring process, please submit a request via the Disability Accommodations | OEOC | University of Arkansas (uark.edu) : Request an Accommodation. Appli­cants are required to submit a request for each position of which they have applied.

For general application assistance or if you have questions about a job posting, please contact Human Resources at 479.575.5351.

Department:

University Recreationwww.urec.uark.edu

Summary of Job Duties:

The Director of Programs for University Recreation + Wellness is a pivotal senior leadership role that oversees a diverse and dynamic portfolio including UREC Outdoors, Intramural and Club Sports, Athletic Training and Student Development & Assessment. This position oversees 3 direct reports and 5 indirect reports, directly influencing the department’s impact and future. The Director of Programs role offers the unique opportunity to shape the largest student employer on campus, mentoring the next generation in a high energy, wellness focused environment.

Regular, reliable, and non-disruptive attendance is an essential job duty, as is the ability to create and maintain collegial, harmonious working relationships with others.

Responsibilities:

Program Administration:
The Director provides strategic oversight and operational leadership for all program areas, ensuring that activities align with the department’s mission. This role is responsible for identifying emerging trends and setting the long-term direction for programming while maintaining a safe, community-led environment. From a fiscal perspective, the Director manages 5 different comprehensive budgets, oversees revenue-generating activities, and provides the Executive Director with recommendations on financial policies and resource allocation. Beyond core operations, will assist in spearheading high-level projects, facilitating staff meetings, and providing support to the business services team.

Departmental Leadership & Strategic Alignment:
Serving as a member of the Senior Leadership Team, the Director coordinates, supervises, and evaluates a diverse portfolio including Assessment, the Sports Injury Clinic, Staff Development, UREC Outdoors, and UREC Sports. The Director ensures compliance with university and departmental regulations while fostering a culture of development and excellence through intentional feedback, evaluations, and development. This position plays a vital role in shaping the organizational structure and long-term strategy of University Recreation + Wellness. By monitoring the effective allocation of resources and facilities, the Director ensures that the department is continually working and aligning to serve the University of Arkansas community.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master's degree in Recreational Sports, Kinesiology, Exercise Science, Sports Medicine, or related fields.

• At least five years of experience in University/Collegiate campus recreation

• Demonstrated experience supervising full time professionals

• Demonstrated experience in managing, planning, and oversight of programs

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated experience supervising full time professionals with emphasis in campus recreation

• At least seven years of campus recreation experience

• Demonstrated success developing and managing large budgets.

• Active involvement in campus recreation and/or higher education professional organizations.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of program design and implementation for campus recreation activities.

• Has a sense of their own agency and social responsibility that includes others, their community, and the larger global context.

• Must possess exceptional computer literacy skills, emphasis in campus recreation software programs.

• Ability to balance multiple assignments, deadlines, and tasks.

• Ability to work in a team environment.

• Ability to teach, delegate, and evaluate staff and peers.

• Demonstrated competence in policy and procedure design

Additional Information:

Required Documents

• Cover Letter

• Resume

• Reference List with phone numbers

$80,000-$92,000Cover Letter/Letter of Application, List of three Professional References (name, email, business title), ResumeProof of Veteran StatusKristin DeAngelo
Executive Director
kldurant@uark.edu

All application materials must be uploaded to the University of Arkansas System Career Site https://uasys.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/UASYS

Please do not send to listed recruitment contact.

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Please include phone numbers with professional references list.

Pre-employment Screening Requirements:

Criminal Background Check, Sex Offender Registry

The University of Arkansas is committed to providing a safe campus community. We conduct background checks for applicants being considered for employment. Background checks include a criminal background check and a sex offender registry check. For certain positions, there may also be a financial (credit) background check, a Motor Vehicle Registry (MVR) check, and/or drug screening. Required checks are identified in the position listing. A criminal conviction or arrest pending adjudication or adverse financial history information alone shall not disqualify an applicant in the absence of a relationship to the requirements of the position. Background check information will be used in a confidential, non-discriminatory manner consistent with state and federal law.

The University of Arkansas seeks to attract, develop and retain high quality faculty, staff and administrators that consistently display practices and behaviors to advance a culture that embeds equal opportunity, educational excellence and unparalleled access for all.

The University of Arkansas is an equal opportunity institution. The University does not discriminate in its education programs or activities (including in admission and employment) on the basis of any category or status protected by law, including age, race, color, national origin, disability, religion, protected veteran status, military service, genetic information, sex, sexual preference, or pregnancy. Questions or concerns about the application of Title IX, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, may be sent to the University’s Title IX Coordinator and to the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights.

Persons must have proof of legal authority to work in the United States on the first day of employment.

All Application information is subject to public disclosure under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act.

Constant Physical Activity:

Hearing, Manipulate items with fingers, including keyboarding, Talking, Walking

Frequent Physical Activity:

Crouching, Grasping, Kneeling, Lifting, Sitting, Standing

Occasional Physical Activity:

Balancing, Climbing, Crawling, Driving, Feeling, Pulling, Pushing, Repetitive Motion, Sharps

Benefits Eligible:

Yes