Director of Athletics and Recreation

OPPORTUNITY

The University of Wisconsin-Stout (UW-Stout) is recruiting a Director of Athletics and Recreation. Reporting directly to the Chancellor and serving as a member of the Chancellor's Cabinet, the Director will provide strategic and visionary leadership for the Athletics and Recreation department, while upholding the highest professional and ethical standards. In this role, the Director will work collaboratively with a wide range of stakeholders, including students, faculty, staff, alumni, community members, corporate partners, and donors, to develop and execute both short-term and long-term plans that advance the goals of the Blue Devil Athletic and Recreation program. The Director will provide leadership in the development, implementation, and assessment of a strategic plan aimed at enhancing student-athlete recruitment and retention, overall student wellbeing, community outreach and engagement, coaching and staff development, marketing and public relations, fundraising, and facilities management.

DEPARTMENT INFORMATION 

UW-Stout is a NCAA Division III university and is a member of the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC). UW-Stout has more than 700 student-athletes competing in eleven women's varsity sports and eight men's varsity sports, as well as competitive Esports, cheer and stunt, dance and the newest addition to the sports module - women's flag football.  

The Director also oversees the operation of the Recreation and Athletics facilities and University Recreation (UREC), whose mission is to provide an avenue for lifelong engagement, healthy activity, and experiential learning. Areas of UREC include open recreation, intramurals, outdoor adventures, sports clubs (currently twenty-six), both campus fitness centers and other special event programming for the university and community.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide strategic and visionary leadership to the Athletics and Recreation department. 
• Champion a competitive athletic culture consistent with the NCAA Division III and WIAC philosophy.
• Serve as the primary departmental contact with the NCAA and WIAC and participate in WIAC Governance. 
• Provide oversight and management to all athletic compliance and reporting requirements, including, but not limited to, NCAA Division III, WIAC, Title IX, and athlete eligibility. 
• Maintain strong connections with the Faculty Athletic Representatives and Academic Affairs to support students' academic success.
• Maintain strong connections with the Dean of Students and Student Affairs to support students' wellbeing. 
• Direct and supervise the administration of the athletic and recreation program and provide oversight of all administrative, operational, and business functions.
• Approve all conference and non-conference playing schedules for all athletic teams.
• Manage fiscal responsibilities, including budgeting and financial planning, forecasting, reporting, revenue generation, and cost efficiency.
• Initiate proposals for maintaining and improving facilities and upgrading equipment. 
• Develop short-term and long-term plans to administer and monitor the department's capital equipment and facilities. 
• Work closely with student government leaders, students, and student-athletes -- consulting with them regularly to ensure the athletic and recreational programs offered meet the needs of the various constituencies.  
• Recruit, develop, and lead department staff and coaches.  
• Establish goals and expectations regarding student-athlete recruitment and retention, monitor the recruitment efforts of the coaching staff, and attend recruitment events as appropriate.
• Collaborate closely with the Enrollment and Quality unit to assist with institutional recruitment efforts.  
• Provide leadership to and collaborate with various stakeholders to develop and grow athletics camps and offerings. 
• Direct the development and implementation of an effective and proactive Blue Devil Athletics communication strategy in collaboration with University Marketing and Communications.
• Work closely with the Vice Chancellor for University Advancement and Athletics Gift Officer to develop, deploy, and monitor fund-raising efforts to pursue gifts and grants to support the athletic program and achieve its strategic goals.  
• Represent the department to appropriate internal and external groups, including but not limited to UW-Stout employees, alumni, parents, civic organizations, and the Menomonie community.  
• Organize, direct, and participate in activities that will promote a positive public image of Blue Devil Athletics on campus, locally, regionally, and nationally.

QUALIFICATIONS

The successful candidate will possess a thorough knowledge of athletics administration at the collegiate level, with a demonstrated record of successful athletic administrative experience. They will have a strong commitment to excellence in both academics and athletics and bring expertise in budget planning, strategic planning, facilities management, and personnel evaluation. The candidate will also have a solid understanding of the recruitment process and the ability to collaborate effectively with the Enrollment & Quality unit to recruit and retain students. Additionally, the ideal candidate will be skilled in working collaboratively with faculty, staff, students, and external stakeholders, and will demonstrate a commitment to the university's distinct Polytechnic Mission, while developing a future vision and strategic plan for the overall Blue Devil Athletic and Recreation Program.

Minimum / Required

• A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution by start date.  
• Five years of university administrative experience at (or at the equivalent of) the Assistant, Associate, or Director level in NCAA Division I, II, or III Athletics.

Highly Desired

• Master's degree or terminal degree from an accredited institution.
• Experience with athletics fundraising.
• Experience managing facilities and large-scale athletic events.   
• Demonstrated strong communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to effectively communicate with both internal and external constituencies.

INSTITUTIONAL OVERVIEW  

University of Wisconsin-Stout, Wisconsin's Polytechnic University, offers an unmatched career-focused education that combines applied learning, theory and research with real-world experience that prepares tomorrow's leaders to drive the future of business and industry. At UW-Stout, our students do more than earn a degree-they do on day one. And we are #StoutProud to produce lifelong learners, ethical leaders and responsible citizens who succeed in a global society.   
  
UW-Stout is recognized nationwide for its operational excellence. We were the first and remain the only full four-year public higher education institution in the nation to receive the Malcolm Baldrige Award, and we are dedicated to a process-improvement model that leverages the power of data and the value of our people. We believe in critical thinking and fact-informed decision making. We pursue sustainability in form and function and collaborate across campus and with our partners to solve problems in industry and society. And providing an equitable, diverse, and inclusive environment for our faculty, staff and students to live, learn and work is a top priority.  

We offer 50+ undergraduate degrees, 20+ graduate degrees and 30+ professional certificates in Art, Design & Graphics; Business & Management; Education; Human & Social Sciences; Information Technology & Communications; and Science, Engineering & Math. Our first-class digital infrastructure and learning environments provide our nearly 7,000 students with every avenue to explore and personalize their success. As the only laptop+ campus among the 13 Universities of Wisconsin, UW-Stout provides laptops and industry-standard software, open education resources and other technology-driven advantages-all included in on-campus undergraduate tuition and fees. And we invest in people who share our vision to advance our position as Wisconsin's only Polytechnic University and as a regional, national and international leader in higher education.

Be a part of the future at UW-Stout. Learn more at https://www.uwstout.edu/about-us 

LOCATION

The University of Wisconsin-Stout is located in Menomonie, Wisconsin, a community an hour east of Minneapolis-St. Paul. A pillar of Wisconsin's Chippewa Valley and recognized as one of the best small towns in America, Menomonie provides an idyllic combination of natural beauty, outdoor recreation, boutiques, and arts and culture with access to a metropolitan area. For more information about the UW-Stout community and region visit: https://www.uwstout.edu/about-us/our-community 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION  

The University offers a competitive salary commensurate with qualifications and experience. The Universities of Wisconsin provide an excellent benefits package including participation in the Wisconsin State retirement plan, demonstrating our commitment to the diverse needs of our employees.

• Benefit Details: https://www.wisconsin.edu/ohrwd/benefits/download/quickguidefasl.pdf  
• Total Compensation Calculator: Health & Retirement Contributions Estimator | Employee Benefits (wisconsin.edu)

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

Complete applications received by the end of day, April 28, 2025, are ensured full consideration.  Applications submitted after April 28th , may be reviewed at the discretion of the search committee or until the position is filled.

To apply, click on the APPLY button or go to: https://www.uwstout.edu/about-us/careers-jobs 

Required application materials: 
1.    Cover letter* 
2.    Resume

*Please use your cover letter to speak to each of the Minimum/Required and Preferred Qualifications for this position as listed above. For each required qualification, describe your relevant experience, using specific examples from your work history to illustrate how your experience satisfies the requirement.

All final candidates will be asked to provide names, email contact information, and/or phone numbers for three (3) references, with at least one being from a manager or supervisor, during the interview process.

For questions regarding this position or recruitment, please contact:
Search Chair: Sandi Scott 
Phone: 715.232.1181
Email:  duexs@uwstout.edu 

If you need assistance with the online application process, please contact: 
Search Coordinator: Bethany Risler 
Phone: 715.232.1279
Email:  rislerb@uwstout.edu  
             
Applicants must complete all required fields and attach all required documents prior to submitting the online application. Note: Once you have attached your materials and submitted your application you will not be able to go into the system and change them.

All qualified candidates meeting application requirements will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against. As an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer, UW-Stout welcomes applications from individuals from diverse groups; veterans, individuals with disabilities and from historically excluded populations. UW-Stout provides equal opportunity to all persons and is committed to inclusive excellence. At UW-Stout we value our differences and welcome diverse perspectives as we continually commit to developing an inclusive and equitable environment for all employees and students.

Employment is contingent upon the final candidate's completing a criminal background check and being cleared to work by the Human Resources Office.  Employment is also contingent upon the final candidate passing reference checks and an essential job function test, as applicable. The reference check process includes asking the final candidate and most recent supervisor(s) questions regarding sexual violence and sexual harassment. Final candidates with previous employment within the UW System and State of WI agencies will be subject to additional reference checks.

Official transcripts are required at time of hire. 

Candidates must be authorized to work in the US. Sponsorship is not available for this position. A successful applicant will be responsible for ensuring eligibility for employment in the United States on or before the effective date of the appointment and maintain work authorization throughout the employment term. If you have questions regarding this, please contact the UW-Stout Human Resources office at 715.232.1279.  

In response to a public records request, the University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in their online application, except that the identity of the successful final candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7). 

UW-Stout is committed to providing safety and security of all members of our community in accordance with the Clery Act. For campus safety information and crime statistics visit: https://www.uwstout.edu/life-stout/police-and-parking/clery-information 

It is the policy of UW-Stout to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance, or accommodation in applying because of a disability, please contact Storbeck Search using the information below. Employment opportunities will not be denied because of the need to make reasonable accommodation for a qualified individual's disability.
 

Job Family: Supervisory