Executive Director, Well-being and Recreation

The Executive Director provides visionary leadership to division-wide well-being and recreation efforts, including the supervision of Campus Recreation, Health Promotion and Wellness, Student Counseling Services, Student Health Services, and Redbird Esports; leads comprehensive strategic planning, goal setting, and assessment initiatives; oversees the short- and long-term financial model supporting programs, services, facilities, and operations; and provides leadership and visibility for well-being and recreation as a campus priority in collaboration with internal and external partners.

The Executive Director is a member of the senior leadership team for the Division of Student Affairs and works in strong collaboration with campus partners in prioritizing well-being and recreation for students, faculty, staff, and guests to the University.

Proposed Starting Date:  December 2024

Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and continue until the position is successfully filled. Candidates should provide a letter of interest that addresses the position responsibilities and qualifications described in this leadership profile, a current résumé or curriculum vitae, and the names and contact information for at least three (3) professional references. These materials should be submitted electronically via Illinois State University’s application portal. 

For more information about this position and the Division of Student Affairs, please visit the website at:  https://studentaffairs.illinoisstate.edu/who/careers/. 

If questions, please contact:  Casey Vitalez, Administrative Associate, Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs, [email protected], (309)438-1523.

Required Qualifications:

1. Master's degree in higher education administration, public health, counseling, psychology, business administration, recreation, or related field.
2. Minimum of seven or more years of progressively responsible leadership experience in student affairs, health promotion, counseling, recreational programming, or health services within a higher education setting.
3. Demonstrated knowledge of best practices in well-being, mental health, and recreational services.
4. Extensive knowledge of best practices in talent development, including recruitment, performance management, employee relations, and compliance with labor laws.
5. Strong interpersonal, communication, and collaboration skills with the ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders.
6. Demonstrated track record working with cross-divisional committees or initiatives.
7. Experience in strategic planning, budget management, and program evaluation.
8. Commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive campus environment that prioritizes student success and well-being.

Preferred Qualifications:

1. Advanced degree in public health, health care administration, psychology, education, social work, or related field.
2. Active in related professional associations.
3. Experience in facility operations and design, including the ability to integrate facility design and operations with organizational strategies to enhance workplace efficiency, safety, and employee well-being.