Assistant Director of Outdoor Pursuits

Position Overview

KU RECREATION SERVICES, a department within Student Affairs, provides a campus-wide impact by improving the quality of life for all students, faculty, staff, affiliates, retirees, alumni, spouses, and domestic partners through our fitness and wellness initiatives. RECREATION SERVICES provides state-of-the-art recreational programs, facilities, and services. The University of Kansas RECREATION SERVICES department seeks an Assistant Director of Outdoor Pursuits to play an essential role in the management and support of RECREATION SERVICES core functions including, but not limited to, the comprehensive management of the Outdoor Pursuits program.

The work of the Assistant Director of Outdoor Pursuits will directly support RECREATION SERVICES programmatic efforts and initiatives to support its core values of Community, Excellence, Experience, Growth, and Integrity which align directly with KU's Institutional Priorities of Healthy and Vibrant Communities and Student Success. Programs within RECREATION SERVICES include Fitness, Intramurals, Sport Clubs, and Outdoor Pursuits. Fitness offers KU Fit group fitness with classes focused on cardio, strength, mind-body wellness, personal training, and fitness assessments.

Intramurals play team sports, team tournaments, and individual activities. Sport Clubs participate in a wide variety of competitive, recreational, and instructional sports. Outdoor Pursuits offers a rock-climbing wall and equipment rental center. Additional information can be found reation.ku.edu. This position is a full-time Administrative Exempt position that will report to the Senior Assistant Director of Programs and will administer comprehensive Outdoor Pursuits, Student Leadership and Assessment programs with as many as 900 participants, 5000 participations and 20 student employees.

• Provide leadership for the rock wall, rental center, and trip program through the following:
  Recruitment, selection, training, supervision, payroll, risk management and evaluation of student program managers, wall assistants, and route setters.
• Create a schedule for the rock climbing wall that is open for 30+ hours per week.
• Schedule Climbing Wall activities and special events including marketing to revenue-producing off-campus groups.
• Work closely with the Rock Climbing Club during their use of wall, including the development of risk management practices.
• Research industry trends and assess new and current programming.
• Make recommendations for changes to the programs that are safe and fiscally responsible.
• Assist the Assistant Director of Marketing in promoting the program.
• Plan and schedule 4-6 educational workshops throughout the year.
• Develop a comprehensive risk management plan for the program.
• Create annual program reports for participation, injuries, and incidents.
• Develop annual budgets of approximately $70,000.
• Develop annual schedule for rock the wall and equipment rental center.
• Teach American Heart CPR/AED classes for department employees.

• Develop, implement, maintain and evaluate a comprehensive student leadership program.
• Develop structured workshops, curriculum, and programs.
• Facilitate training on leadership theories and styles.
• Create intentional learning outcomes tied to student employment experiences.
• Support career readiness initiatives (resume, mock interviews, transferable skills).
• Update student staff manual and establish a leadership pipeline.

• Conceptualize, develop, and implement ongoing departmental and unit assessment and data collection program.
• Collect and maintain needed data and statistics related to the mission of the department and communicate monthly with Student Affairs.
• Member of the Student Affairs Assessment Committee.

• Cover letter describing how you meet the required and preferred qualifications.
• Resume
• List of three (3) professional references

Only complete applications will be considered.

Application review begins June 22, 2026, and will continue until a qualified pool of applicants are identified.

The University of Kansas prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry, disability, status as a veteran, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, gender identity, gender expression, and genetic information in the university's programs and activities. Retaliation is also prohibited by university policy. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries…