Manager, Recreation & Active Well Being

Position Summary

Reporting to the Director of Athletics and Recreation, the Manager, Recreation and Active Well-Being provides strategic and operational leadership for a comprehensive portfolio of student-focused recreation, sport, and well-being programs and services.

The role is responsible for the planning, delivery, and continuous improvement of inclusive, accessible, and high-quality programming that enhances student experience, supports holistic well-being, and contributes to student success and retention. The Manager leads a large, multi-level staff team and oversees program areas including intramurals, fitness, instructional programs, aquatics, clubs, camps, and wellness initiatives.

The Manager ensures programs are aligned with institutional priorities, student development frameworks, and sector best practices across the OUA and Canadian post-secondary recreation landscape. This includes a strong emphasis on equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging (EDIB), risk management, financial sustainability, and data-informed decision making.

The role works collaboratively across campus and with external partners to enhance engagement, strengthen community connections, and advance Laurier’s reputation as a leader in campus recreation and well-being.

Accountabilities

• Strategic Leadership & Program Development

• Lead the development and execution of short- and long-term strategic plans for recreation and well-being aligned with departmental and institutional priorities
• Continuously assess emerging trends in campus recreation, student wellness, and OUA programming to inform innovation and service delivery
• Champion inclusive, accessible, and equitable program design to meet the needs of diverse student populations
• Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) related to participation, engagement, satisfaction, and student outcomes

• Program Operations & Service Excellence

• Oversee the full lifecycle of recreation and wellness programming, including design, scheduling, delivery, and evaluation
• Ensure consistent delivery of programs that meet high standards for safety, quality, and customer experience
• Implement structured program assessment processes using data analytics and student feedback to drive continuous improvement
• Maintain compliance with all applicable legislation, standards, and university policies (e.g., safety, risk management, Rowan’s Law, accessibility standards)

• Student Development & Leadership

• Lead a large student employment program (300+ staff), emphasizing leadership development, experiential learning, and skill building
• Develop and implement training frameworks that align with student competencies, leadership outcomes, and employability skills
• Foster a supportive environment that prioritizes mentorship, inclusion, and professional growth

• Financial & Business Management

• Develop, manage, and monitor operating and ancillary budgets, ensuring financial sustainability and accountability
• Use data and market analysis to guide revenue generation strategies, cost recovery models, and program pricing
• Identify opportunities for new revenue streams, partnerships, and operational efficiencies
• Provide regular financial forecasting, analysis, and reporting

• Risk Management & Compliance

• Lead risk management planning for all program areas, including high-risk environments (aquatics, climbing wall, camps, sport programming)
• Ensure appropriate policies, procedures, training, and incident response protocols are in place
• Collaborate with internal partners (e.g., Risk Management, Special Constables, Health & Safety) to ensure compliance and mitigate risk

• Partnerships & Campus Engagement

• Build and maintain strong partnerships across campus (Student Affairs, Wellness, Residence, Student Associations) and externally
• Act as a key liaison to enhance integrated well-being initiatives and co-curricular programming
• Support marketing and engagement strategies to increase participation and awareness of recreation opportunities

• People Leadership & Team Management

• Provide leadership, supervision, and performance management for full-time staff and student leaders
• Establish clear goals, expectations, and accountability measures across the team
• Promote a culture of collaboration, inclusion, innovation, and service excellence
• Support staff development through coaching, training, and succession planning

Reporting Relationships

This Position Reports to: Director, Athletics and Recreation

If this position has responsibility for other positions, please provide job titles, number of incumbents and the nature of the supervision provided:

Coordinator, Fitness & and Instructional programs (1)

Coordinator, Aquatics, & Youth Programs (1)

Coordinator, Recreation Programs(1)

Hires, supports, mentors and manages performance.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology, Recreation, Sport Management, Public Health, or a related field
• Master’s degree (e.g., Sport Management, Higher Education, Leadership, or Business) considered a strong asset

Experience

• Minimum 5-7 years of progressive leadership experience in campus recreation, sport, or wellness environments
• Demonstrated experience managing complex program portfolios, facilities, and large staff teams (including student staff)
• Proven success in strategic planning, program development, and service innovation
• Experience in a post-secondary environment strongly preferred

Core Competencies

• Strong leadership and people management skills, with demonstrated ability to lead large, diverse teams
• Expertise in student development and co-curricular learning models
• Strong financial acumen, including budget management and revenue generation
• Experience with data-informed decision making, assessment, and reporting
• Deep understanding of risk management, safety standards, and regulatory compliance
• Excellent communication, relationship-building, and stakeholder engagement skills
• Demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility

Certifications & Technical Requirements

• Current First Aid/CPR certification (or willingness to obtain)
• Nationally recognized certifications in fitness, recreation, or aquatics (e.g., CSEP, NCCP, Lifesaving Society) considered assets
• Knowledge of recreation management software and registration systems
• Familiarity with relevant legislation (e.g., Occupational Health & Safety, Rowan’s Law, AODA)
• Valid ‘G’ Driver’s License required
• Up to date Vulnerable Sector Check in good standing required
• Safe Sport Certification Required
• Formal training and education in equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging including Four Seasons of Reconciliation and Safe Sport principles.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently while contributing meaningfully to a collaborative senior leadership team.
• Demonstrated familiarity with the university athletic environment and its governance, culture, and operational complexity considered an asset.
• Demonstrated leadership capacity with a proven ability to motivate, mentor, and develop student-athletes and staff within a values-driven, performance-oriented culture.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to facilitate meetings, deliver presentations, and navigate complex, sensitive, or conflict-driven conversations with professionalism, empathy, and sound judgment.
• Proven ability to build, sustain, and leverage trusted relationships across diverse stakeholder groups

Hours of Work

This is a full-time, continuing position. he normal hours of work are 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday including a one (1) hour unpaid meal period. Flexibility in hours will be required, including evening and/or weekend work due to program schedules. When possible, the manager will adjust the work schedule so that no more than 35 hours are worked in a week.

This role offers limited flexibility regarding flexible work arrangements. Please see Policy 8.14 (Flexible Work Policy) for more information. All arrangement must be approved by the direct manager. On occasion, this schedule may need to be adjusted to meet operational requirements.

Compensation

Level: MG-2B

Rate of pay: $85,357 to $106,696 annually

Broad salary ranges include a hiring range ($85,357- $96,027 of range midpoint), a target range ($96,028 - $117,366 of range midpoint), and a premium range ($117,367 -$133,370 of range midpoint).

When new employees are hired the appropriate base salary is determined using these sub-ranges as a guide while adhering to rules on hiring as defined in our compensation policy. Considerations for new hire salaries include, qualifications and length/depth of required experience, relevant market rates for similar jobs, internal equity, and estimated learning curve in starting the job.

Wilfrid Laurier University endeavors to fill positions with qualified candidates who have a combination of education, experience, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position while demonstrating Laurier's Employee Success Factors.

Equity, diversity and creating a culture of inclusion are part of Laurier’s core values and central to the Laurier Strategy. Laurier is committed to increasing the diversity of faculty and staff and welcomes applications from candidates who identify as Indigenous, racialized, having disabilities, and from persons of any minority sexual and gender identities. Indigenous candidates who would like to learn more about equity and inclusive programing at Laurier are welcomed to contact the Office of Indigenous Initiatives. Candidates from other equity deserving groups who would like to learn more about equity and inclusive programing at Laurier are welcomed to contact Equity & Accessibility. We have strived to make our application process accessible, however if you require any assistance applying for a position or would like this job posting in an alternative format, please contact Human Resources. Contact information can be found at

Should you be interested in learning more about this opportunity, please visit for additional information and the online application system. All applications must be submitted online. Please note, a resume and cover letter will be required in electronic form.

Please note, when pre-screening questions are used as part of the application process, AI is utilized to score responses. All other aspects of the hiring process are reviewed by our Talent Acquisition team.