Director, Student Athlete Experience and High-Performance Sport

The University of Guelph, Department of Athletics & Recreation exists to benefit and support physical and mental well-being through activity and engagement. Its mission is to be leaders in the delivery of innovative and impactful programs, services, and experiences in sport, fitness, recreation, well-being, and leadership, founded on a culture of service excellence, inclusion, and health and safety. The Department’s extensive physical infrastructure includes three gymnasiums, two ice rinks, four turf soccer/rugby fields, a football stadium, three ball diamonds, two grass fields, two swimming pools, a fieldhouse, a rock-climbing wall, and three fitness facilities. The Fitness and Recreation programme provides inclusive access to fitness, instructional, intramural, and informal recreation opportunities to ~30,000 undergraduate and graduate students on the Guelph campus, with a weekly participation exceeding 25,000 engagements. The Gryphons Varsity programme is one of the largest intercollegiate programs in Canada, with 38 intercollegiate teams and approximately 840 student-athletes, supported by coaches and professional staff dedicated to student-athlete development, safety, academic success, and competitive excellence and competes provincially and nationally as members of the OUA and U SPORTS.

The University of Guelph is one of Canada’s top comprehensive and research-intensive universities. Established in 1964, the University enjoys a reputation for innovation and excellence dating back more than 150 years to its founding colleges: Ontario Veterinary College, Ontario Agricultural College and Macdonald Institute. Today the University’s eight colleges conduct cutting-edge teaching and research across a range of disciplines in the physical and life sciences, business, arts, social sciences, and agricultural and veterinary sciences. Together its students, faculty and staff pursue active inquiry and exercise creativity in its shared commitment to Improve Life.

It is within this context that the University of Guelph welcomes applications and nominations for the appointment of its Director, Student Athlete Experience and High-Performance Sport, commencing late Summer 2026, or soon thereafter.

Reporting to the Senior Director, Athletics and Recreation, the Director, Student Athlete Experience and High-Performance Sport (Director) is responsible for establishing and implementing a high-performance sport model that aligns with institutional priorities and positions the University for sustained success within provincial and national systems, including Ontario University Athletics (OUA) and U SPORTS. As a key member of the Athletics & Recreation senior leadership team, the Director provides expert guidance on the development of policies, performance frameworks, and program standards, ensuring compliance with all regulatory requirements and alignment with best practices in safe, ethical, and inclusive sport. The Director is responsible for ensuring that strategic and operational decisions for the University’s interuniversity sport program are focused on high-performance outcomes, student-athlete experience, and coaching excellence. The Director leads and supports a diverse team of coaches and professional staff, fostering a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and learner-centred development. This responsibility includes oversight of coaching recruitment, performance management, professional development, and resolving complex and sensitive student-athlete and team-related matters. The Director will foster collaborative partnerships across campus and with external partners and members, with the goal of strengthening athlete supports, enhancing program visibility, and advancing Athletics & Recreation within the University and broader community. Working closely with the Director, Programs & Operations, the Director will ensure the effective integration of high-performance priorities with operational delivery, including facilities, scheduling, and event execution. The Director must demonstrate credibility and composure in a complex, highly visible environment and will represent the University in institutional, provincial, and national forums. Through this work, the Director plays a critical role in positioning the University of Guelph as a recognized leader in excellence in the student-athlete experience and high-performance sport. The Director will also lead the planning and oversight of varsity sport budgets, ensuring alignment of financial resources with strategic priorities and program needs, oversee the financial components of student-athlete support, including awards and scholarships. The Director must ensure compliance with governing body regulations, collaborate with Student Financial Services, and contribute to revenue generation strategies, including fundraising, partnerships, and program-based initiatives that support the sustainability of varsity sports.

As a qualified candidate, your management level experience includes oversight of athletic programming and/or coaching. Experience with post-secondary sectorial athletics programming is preferred, including a   comprehensive knowledge of practices and policies at the OUA and U SPORTS.  An equivalent combination of education, training and experience in comparatively complex organizations will be considered. Your experience working with athletes must include an understanding of student development, best practices in the promotion and support of holistic student wellbeing, and the ability to manage risk and protect the safety and wellbeing of students and staff. As a team leader, you foster a collaborative culture, are an excellent people manager, enjoy mentoring and motivating coaches and athletes, and have a demonstrated commitment to equity and inclusion. As a senior leader, you have budget and financial management skills, and the required skills needed to exercise significant decision-making authority with a high degree of political acuity, judgment, and leadership. Candidates must also have demonstrable experience with equity-related strategy, policy implementation, and complex issues, including Indigenization, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility-related case managements and investigations.

Use of AI: Griffith Group Executive Search does not use artificial intelligence to screen, assess, or select applicants for a position.

Reason for posting: Existing Vacancy

Location/WFH:  The University of Guelph is an on-site working environment that supports a Flexible Work Arrangement subject to departmental approval. The scope of the portfolio also requires flexibility, with programming and leadership responsibilities that often extend into evenings and weekends.

Salary Range and Compensation Package: This position is represented by the agreement between the Professional Staff Association and the University of Guelph and is classified as P10 on the Professional and Managerial Salary Grid. The target range is $125,000 - $145,000 commensurate with experience. The total compensation package includes a comprehensive employee wellness package, which can be read about via: https://careers.uoguelph.ca/content/Wellbeing/

To learn more about this impactful leadership opportunity with the University of Guelph, please submit a comprehensive resume along with a cover letter in confidence to Jane Griffith (jane@griffithgroup.ca) and/or Caroline McLean (caroline@griffithgroup.ca). 

The University of Guelph welcomes and encourages applications from all qualified individuals, including, but not limited to women, Indigenous persons, racialized persons, persons with disabilities and persons of all sexual orientations and/or gender identities.

All qualified candidates are welcome to apply; however, priority will be given to those legally eligible to work in Canada.

The University of Guelph and Griffith Group are committed to an inclusive, accessible and welcoming hiring process that provides reasonable accommodation to all applicants. Please advise Jane Griffith (jane@griffithgroup.ca) should you require any accommodation to participate in the recruitment and/or assessment processes.