Director, Athletics and Recreation
Tracking Code: req1816
Faculty/Department: Office of President
Number of Positions: 1
Appointment Type: Full-Time Continuing,
Hours of Work: 35 hours per week
Non-Union Hiring Zone: Job Level 12 - $126,500 - $157,300
Posting Date: October 31, 2025
Closing Date: November 7, 2025 (7:00 pm EST)
Job Summary:
The Director, Athletics and Recreation lead the overall strategy and management of high-performance sport and recreation priorities and initiatives for Ontario Tech University. In addition, the Director is accountable for the strategic creation, oversight, and business sustainability of athletic facilities on campus. Through an inclusive and holistic culture, the Director leads their team, integrating services to students which positively impacts high performance, well-being, and engagement. Reporting to the President, the Director is responsible for providing strategic leadership and direction with respect to financial and business policies, student engagement, EDI and safe sport strategies as well as high performance sport delivery for a large multifaceted team that includes; Campus Recreation, Business Development, Varsity High Performance & Athletic Therapy Services, Marketing/Promotions & Athletic Alumni Relations; Athletic Facilities & Business Operations; Risk Management and Health Promotions.
The Director works in close collaboration with leaders and senior administration across the campus to identify, analyze, and report on priority initiatives related to sport and recreation. As a strong people leader who operates strategically in a very dynamic and change-oriented environment, the Director drives a culture fostering equity, diversity and inclusion in all staff and operational units. The Director is required to have strong business acumen and high energy as they will regularly liaise, influence, and develop relationships with community, alumni, and professional sport organizations locally, provincially, and nationally as well as differing levels of municipal and provincial government. Excellent interpersonal, organizational and communication skills are a critical asset the Director must possess to be successful in this role as they manage a very large team spanning across several disciplines. As the high performance and recreational sport landscape is forever changing, the Director has tremendous responsibility to stay abreast of new developments in the field to ensure the ongoing operations are meeting the needs of our students and stakeholders at Ontario Tech University.
Nature of work:
Mental:
● Considerable effort
● Concentration on precision work, report preparation and writing.
● Long periods of driving.
● Limited counseling, training, instruction.
● Visual and/or listening attention with limited choice of action.
Physical:
● Normal physical effort
● Sitting, standing, regular movement with choice
Responsibilities/accountabilities:
Strategic Leadership and Vision
● Provides strategic leadership and direction to a large multifaceted team consisting of full time/contract staff and coaches, varsity teams and sport clubs. Leads the development and implementation of short and long-term strategies that align with the university and drives programming for Varsity High Performance & Athletic Therapy, Campus Recreation, Athletic Alumni Relations, Athletic Facilities and Health Promotions.
● Leading the athletic department culture and vision that embraces athletics and recreation consistent with Ontario Tech strategic priorities.
● Strategic leadership and direction for high performance aligned to varsity sport, financial and business acumen, athletic facilities, leadership development, safe sport/EDI and marketing/events.
● Strategic leadership and direction for the student experience aligned with campus recreation participation through intramurals and sport clubs, inclusion and well-being.
● Reporting directly to the President to deliver a varsity high performance model that elevates the brand and reputation as provincial and national championship contenders.
● Leads a cohesive and coherent operational plan for Student Life aligning with the university IARP and strategic priorities.
● Leads department staffing requirements to maintain a high level of service delivery that responds to emerging needs among students and the campus community.
● Empowers staff accountabilities and performance goals to cultivate a high performing team focused on providing exceptional experiences, opportunities, and service for students. This includes goal setting, performance reviews, and ongoing coaching and mentoring.
● Leads the strategy around data driven metrics for all units within athletics and recreation which inform decision making aligned to department vision and values.
● Manages and leads a sports culture that is inclusive, diverse and welcoming to all affiliated with the Ridgeback family.
Business, Financial and Facilities
● Responsible for the planning, management and assessment of athletic budgets and facilities at both campus locations. Leads the business strategy around high performance sport and recreational programming for the Ontario Tech campus community as well as the external community at large.
● Leads the short- and long-term facility plans and maintenance schedules for athletic facilities on campus. Fosters ongoing collaboration with campus stakeholders to maintain positive shared service relationships around budgets, capital projects and student access.
● Leads department human resource strategies, ensuring resources align with department priorities around capacity, finances and growth.
● Prioritizes strong recruitment and succession planning which align with a culture of growth for staff and coaches.
● Manages department budgets. Accountability of ensuring operational, fundraising and capital reserve budgets can support the department’s business needs. This includes preparing an overall budget and long-range planning for capital projects aligned with facility growth, student engagement and maintenance. Ex) fundraising, provincial and national championships, new facility projects, capital purchases and deferred maintenance.
● Leads strategy consolidating budget submissions for grant applications to help diversify portfolios, generate revenue and grow the business operation.
● Identifying areas of risk and emerging global sport trends. Proactively ensuring Ontario Tech is compliant and prepared to support students and the campus community appropriately. Ex) safe sport and EDI related to sport. This includes developing strategies and overseeing the implementation of programs and services to drive success, mitigate risk and promote inclusion.
Partnerships, Advocacy and Innovation
● Leads the athletic vision for priorities related to philanthropic giving. Fosters relationships with donors and alumni that lead to strategic financial partnerships specifically supporting high performance sport advancements.
● Leads the athletic vision for priorities related to external partnership growth. Fosters relationships with local and provincial governments that lead to strategic advancements in major event hosting, economic impact and facility growth.
● Manages strategic partnership with Durham College Athletics around facilities and recreation as it relates to student programing, finances and facility sustainability.
● Manages athletic team around the facilitation of high-performance partnerships between athletics, and other student services, including Faculty, Registrar’s Office, Brilliant Catalyst, Student Awards and Financial Aid, OTSU and Advancement/Partnerships offices.
● Participating in divisional and campus-wide initiatives, committees and campus and community events.
● Representing Ontario Tech at provincial and national athletic organizations, including U SPORTS and OUA providing leadership and advocacy on committees within these organizations.
Required Skills:
● Experienced people manager with excellent communication, organizational and relationship building skills.
● Demonstrated ability to conceptualize, implement and evaluate new programs, interact at all levels within the organization.
● Demonstrated ability to solve complex problems in a collaborative team environment.
● Excellent coaching and team building skills to lead diverse teams.
● Demonstrated ability to build collaborative relationships both inside and outside of the organization.
● Excellent tact, diplomacy and judgment are required in working with students, staff, faculty and external agencies.
Required Education:
● Completion of a University Program consisting of Four Academic Years in education, sport administration or related field with equivalent education and experience.
- Verification of Academic credentials may be required
Required Knowledge:
● Demonstrates the ability to conceptualize and implement new programs, interact at all levels within the organization, and effectively manage budget and human resource issues.
● Senior leadership skills with the ability to influence outcomes and bring out the best in staff and coaches.
● Passionate and personable with a proven ability to elicit and foster trust and develop positive working relationships.
● Strong planning skills: ability to prioritize among many competing demands.
● Understanding health and safety needs of employees and participants.
● Comprehensive knowledge of related legislation, collective agreements and managing risk in a sport, compliance & eligibility system.
● Comprehensive knowledge of OUA, USPORTS and university sport system.
Required Experience:
● Seven to ten years of related experience in senior administration and leadership.
● Demonstrated success in providing multi-team leadership of learning and successful programs within a post-secondary environment.
● Demonstrated experience in organizational development, change management and strategic planning.
● Comprehensive knowledge of related legislation, managing risk in a sport, compliance & eligibility.
How to Apply:
Interested candidates should submit in electronic format a covering letter and their resume. Applications will be accepted until November 7, 2025 or until a suitable candidate is found. We appreciate all applications received; however, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.
Ontario Tech University is actively committed to equity, diversity, inclusion, indigenization and decolonization (EDIID), and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates, while especially encouraging applications from First Nations, Metis, Inuit peoples, Indigenous peoples of North America, racialized persons, persons with disabilities, and those who identify as women and/or 2SLGBTQ+. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens, permanent residents, Indigenous Peoples in Canada, and those eligible to work in Canada, will be given priority.
Ontario Tech University respects people's different needs and therefore will take all reasonable steps to ensure accommodation for applicants where appropriate. The University is also committed to ensuring that confidentiality is maintained throughout all aspects of the recruitment cycle.
If you require accommodation, please contact Julie Day, Health and Disability Management Specialist. For more information about the universities policies for accommodating employees with disabilities please review the university’s Accessibility Policy.
The university acknowledges the lands and people of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation which is covered under the Williams Treaties. We are situated on the Traditional Territory of the Mississaugas, a branch of the greater Anishinaabeg Nation which includes Algonquin, Ojibway, Odawa and Pottawatomi.
Job Location: Oshawa, Ontario, Canada
Expected Start Date: 12/1/2025
Expected End Date:
