Associate Director of Adaptive Athletics and Community Outreach

Job Description

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Job Title:

Associate Director of Adaptive Athletics and Community Outreach

Posting

Start Date:

6/18/26

Work Arrangement:
Hybrid

Current UC employees must apply internally via Success Factors

Next Lives at the University of Cincinnati

Founded in 1819, the University of Cincinnati ranks among the nation's best urban public research universities. Home to more than 53,600 students, 12,000 faculty and staff, and over 360,000 living alumni, UC, a Carnegie 1 institution, combines research prowess with a physical setting The New York Times has called "the most ambitious campus design program in the country." UC's momentum has never been stronger as the anchor of the Cincinnati Innovation District, the oldest cooperative education (co-op) program in the country with students earning $94 million annually through paid experiences, an academic health system, and as a member of the Big 12 Conference.

The university contributes $10.6 billion in economic impact to the city and $22.7 billion to the state of Ohio. At UC, next is all of us. Learn more .

UC is a mission-driven organization where we are committed to student success and positively transforming the community through scholarship and service. We thrive on innovation, making an impact, and fostering an environment where staff and faculty are key contributors to UC's success.

Job Overview

The Associate Director of Adaptive Athletics provides comprehensive leadership, strategic planning, and fiscal and staff oversight for the university's Adaptive Athletics program. This role is responsible for defining programs and activities, developing short- and long-range goals, and growing a nationally recognized adaptive sports program-currently including wheelchair tennis and track and field-with the goal of expanding to additional collegiate, club, and intramural-level sports.

The Associate Director reports to the Executive Director for Accessibility and works collaboratively with campus partners, external agencies, and the broader disability and athletic communities to advance institutional priorities related to student success, belonging, and accessible recreation.

Essential Functions

Athletics Leadership

* Serve as a member of the Accessibility Resources leadership team and work collaboratively to achieve the mission, vision, and goals of the department, actively participating in short- and long-range planning, strategy, and goal development

* Provide day-to-day leadership and long-term strategic planning for the Adaptive Athletics program

* Direct sport offerings, including hiring and supervising coaches, graduate assistants, and student employees; create an environment that supports professional development and encourages innovation, creativity, and collaboration

* May serve as head or assistant coach for designated sports, as needed

* Lead recruitment efforts to attract student-athletes with disabilities to UC

* Provide fiscal development and oversight for program-specific and departmental operating budgets, including establishing fees, prioritizing purchases, approving expenditures, and managing payroll processes Oversee risk management and ensure compliance with university, athletic, and disability-related standards

* Build and sustain relationships with local, regional, and national adaptive sports organizations

* Partner with UC Foundation and Sponsorship Office to identify funding opportunities, sponsor ships, and grants

* Represent UC and Adaptive Athletics at external meetings, conferences, and events

* Maintain professional knowledge of best practices and current trends in adaptive and para-athletics programming

* Manage program scheduling, purchasing, and equipment needs, including repair and replacement of adaptive athletics equipment

* Coordinate program-specific marketing and assessment efforts, including data collection, participation reporting, and analysis to evaluate and improve service delivery

* Provide direct and/or indirect supervision to exempt and non-exempt staff as well as third-party contractors, including hiring, performance evaluations, disciplinary action, and approval of time off.

* Perform related duties based on departmental need.

* This job description can be changed at any time.

Required Education

* Bachelor's Degree

* Seven (7) years of relevant education, experience and/or other specialized training can fulfill minimum education and experience requirements

Required Experience

* Demonstrated experience as an athlete and coach in adaptive or para-athletics

* Minimum of three (3) years of relevant experience in athletics, recreation, disability services, or outreach

* Experience planning or implementing sports programming or adaptive recreation

* Strong communication and organizational skills

Additional Qualifications Considered

* Master's degree in higher education, sport management, therapeutic recreation, or a related field

* Ability to lead in a team-based environment as well as work independently

* Analytical skills to identify problems, assess…