Job Summary
This position is responsible for recruitment, auditioning, hiring, onboarding, training, development, scheduling, supervision, mentoring, and evaluation of part-time student employees and fitness instructors. The Assistant Director will foster student leadership development by providing ongoing coaching, performance feedback, professional development opportunities, and regular instructor evaluations to ensure instructional excellence and program consistency.
The Assistant Director will oversee instructor education and workforce development by coordinating and hosting in-house instructor certifications, continuing education opportunities, workshops, and trainings that support staff growth and maintain industry’s best practices. The position will also be responsible for maintaining instructor certifications and ensuring compliance with departmental and national standards. Additional responsibilities include personnel and fiscal management, policy and procedure development, inventory and equipment management, program assessment, and program development. The Assistant Director will conduct regular program and participant assessments to evaluate effectiveness, measure outcomes, and implement innovative initiatives based on industry trends and participant needs. This position will establish and cultivate collaborative relationships with campus and community partners to expand program offerings, increase participation, and support the mission of Recreation and Wellness. The Assistant Director reports to the Senior Assistant Director of Fitness & Special Programs. Some evening and weekend work may be required.
What We’re Looking For:
- Bachelor’s degree in areas such as exercise science, sports management, kinesiology, health education, human performance or related fields.
- If degree is in process, must be completed within one year of hire.
- Minimum of 2 years of relevant experience in fitness programming, preferably in a college setting.
- Can consider professional internship and/or graduate assistantship experience.
- Nationally Accredited fitness certification
- Demonstrated ability to provide strategic leadership and independently manage multiple fitness programs and operational areas within a comprehensive collegiate recreation environment.
- Ability to establish and execute short- and long-term goals that align with the mission and strategic priorities of Recreation & Wellness and the University.
- Proven ability to develop, implement, assess, and continuously improve fitness programs, services, and participant experiences while effectively managing resources, budgets, schedules, and operational priorities.
- Demonstrated success in recruiting, hiring, training, mentoring, scheduling, supervising, and evaluating a diverse student workforce and instructional staff, with a commitment to fostering leadership development and professional growth.
- Ability to design, facilitate, and evaluate staff training programs, instructor education, and certification opportunities that promote instructional excellence, safety, inclusivity, and evidence-based fitness practices.
- Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities, solve complex problems, and adapt to changing departmental and participant needs.
- Demonstrated ability to cultivate productive relationships with campus and community partners and represent Recreation & Wellness through collaborative initiatives, committees, and university engagement.
What we are looking for continued:
- Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to effectively interact with students, faculty, staff, and external stakeholders.
Successful candidates will be self-directed, innovative, service-oriented, and committed to creating an inclusive environment that promotes student success, employee development, and lifelong well-being. - Proficiency with business and program management technologies, including word processing, spreadsheets, scheduling platforms, data management systems, and electronic communication tools
What is helpful:
- Additional certifications
Additional Information:
- To learn more about Purdue’s benefits summary
- https://www.purdue.edu/hr/Benefits/employeebenefits/benefits_enrollment/pdf/summaries/2023/Benefits-summary-Admin-Op-2023.pdf
- Purdue will not sponsor employment authorization for this position
- A background check will be required for employment in this position
- FLSA: Non-Exempt (Eligible For Overtime)
- Retirement Eligibility: Non-exempt Defined Contribution Plan
Who We Are at Purdue University:
When you join Purdue University, you join a community that keeps moving forward. For more than 150 years, we’ve been known for not only our groundbreaking work in STEM research, but also for our collective imagination, ingenuity and innovation.