Associate Director, Outdoor Adventures

Job Title:

Associate Director, Outdoor Adventures

Location:

Kennesaw, Georgia

Regular/Temporary:
Regular

Full/Part Time:
Full-Time

Job

Are you ready to transform lives through academic excellence, innovative research, strong community partnerships and economic opportunity? Kennesaw State University is one of the 50 largest public institutions in the country. With growing enrollment and global reach, we continue to expand our institutional influence and prominence beyond the state of Georgia. We offer more than 190 undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees to empower over 50,000 students to become thought leaders, lifelong learners, and informed global citizens.

Our entrepreneurial spirit, high-impact research, and Division I athletics draw students from throughout the region and from more than 100 countries across the globe. Our university's vibrant culture, career opportunities, rich benefits, and values of respect, integrity, collaboration, inclusivity, and accountability make us an employer of choice. We are part of the University System of Georgia. We are searching for talented people to join Kennesaw State University in our vision.

Come Take Flight at KSU!

(Primary Location for Job Responsibilities)

Our Kennesaw campus is located at 1000 Chastain Road NW, Kennesaw, GA 30144.

Our Marietta campus is located at 1100 South Marietta Parkway, Marietta, GA 30060.

Responsible for providing strategic leadership and operational oversight for the Outdoor Adventures unit within the Department of University Recreation. Oversee program design, assessment, staffing, budgeting, and risk management for all outdoor adventure programs, including Outdoor Trips, Climbing Gym(s), Bike Shop, Challenge Course, Experiential programs, online Outdoor Adventures programs, and Outdoor Adventures special events. Ensures all Outdoor Adventures programming, equipment, and instructional practices align with university standards, divisional initiatives, and industry best practices.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• 1. Provides strategic leadership and direction for the Outdoor Adventures unit, including supervision of professional staff, graduate assistants, part-time staff, interns, and student employees, while fostering a culture of ongoing training, mentorship, performance management, and professional development
• 2. Leads long-range planning and strategic development for all Outdoor Adventures programs and initiatives, including staffing models, program design, facility and space planning, equipment lifecycle management, and multi-year operational recommendations
• 3. Oversees financial planning and stewardship for the Outdoor Adventures unit, including budget development, expenditure monitoring, revenue and cost analysis, and contributions to policy development and program evaluation
• 4. Directs comprehensive assessment and evaluation efforts, analyzing participation trends, learning outcomes, training effectiveness, and program satisfaction to inform decision-making and support continuous improvement
• 5. Provides operational oversight for all Outdoor Adventures programs within the Department of University Recreation, ensuring effective program design, diverse scheduling, and alignment with departmental and university standards
• 6. Oversees the development and delivery of instructional and leadership programs, including the Adventure Leadership Course and other staff-development and outdoor skill-building initiatives.
• 7. Manages equipment planning and procurement processes, including research, purchasing, inventory assessment, and maintenance recommendations for Outdoor Adventures gear and resources
• 8. Ensures proper oversight of the department's vehicle fleet, including monitoring maintenance needs, operational readiness, and compliance with safety standards
• 9. Interprets and applies University, Division, and Department policies, as well as Outdoor Adventures industry best practices, ensuring compliance, clear communication, and consistency across all unit programs
• 10. Oversees risk management and safety operations for the Outdoor Adventures unit, ensuring emergency preparedness, equipment safety compliance, and staff training and certification standards
• 11. Serves as a departmental first responder within emergency response programs, providing support to staff and patrons as needed
• 12. Maintains current knowledge of industry standards and professional certifications in outdoor recreation and adventure programming to ensure…