Job Title

Home of the McMaster Mara, McMaster University Athletics provides a wide range of sports and recreational activities to students, staff, faculty, alumni, and the greater community with the opportunity to pursue athletic excellence. McMasters Athletics department is home to various wellequipped sports facilities, including a comprehensive fitness center, indoor and outdoor sports fields, swimming pools, gymnasiums, tennis courts, and more. McMaster University has a strong tradition of intercollegiate athletics and is home to several varsity sports teams that competed in various leagues. Varsity teams at McMaster include basketball, soccer, football, volleyball, cross country, track and field, rugby, swimming, and many other OUA and club teams. The Department of Athletics & Recreation is dedicated to fostering an environment of equity, diversity, inclusion, and antiracism, guided by the principles of inclusive excellence. Our commitment is to create a safe, accessible, and welcoming space where we celebrate the diverse identities, backgrounds, and lived experiences that enrich our community. Athletics and Recreation is seeking a dynamic, peoplefirst leader to serve as Associate Director, Athletics on a continuing basis. Reporting to the Director of Athletics & Recreation, this senior leadership role is responsible for shaping and delivering a comprehensive, integrated highperformance sport strategy that supports sustained varsity success at the provincial and national levels. This role will lead the highperformance sport unit, providing strategic vision, operational leadership, and peoplefocused management across varsity programs and integrated athlete support services. The Associate Director, Athletics works closely with coaches, athletes, staff, campus partners and external sport organizations to create an environment where teams and individuals can perform at their highest level and find success. This is an opportunity for an accomplished sport leader who thrives in complex environments, inspires excellence in others, and is passionate about athletecentred, valuesdriven performance. The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in advancing McMaster Athletics competitive success while strengthening the Universitys reputation for excellence, integrity, and innovation. Key Responsibilities Strategic Leadership and Performance Lead the development and execution of annual and longterm sportspecific performance plans aligned with departmental and university priorities. Create team and athlete programming and delivery strategies that develop sustained excellence in sport, consistent with and in support of the goals and strategies of the department. Drive the design and delivery of highperformance programming that supports sustained competitive excellence. Establish clear performance targets and KPIs; ensure accountability through regular performance review, evaluation, and support. Analyze competitive programs and recommend strategic investments in equipment, technology, staffing, and competition. People and Culture Foster a highperformance, inclusive, and athletecentred culture grounded in Athletic and Recreations values. Provide strategic leadership to a multidisciplinary team of 20+ staff, including coaches, managers, and integrated athletic support staff, including strength and conditioning professionals. Oversee all people management functions for the team, including recruitment, onboarding, training and development, performance management, and employee relations, ensuring a high performance culture and alignment with organizational goals. Operational and Financial Management Lead strategic planning, operational planning, and budget development across varsity programs. Make informed decisions and recommendations related to resource allocation, financial sustainability, and longterm investment. Implement systems, processes, and datadriven approaches to enhance program effectiveness and operational efficiency. Collaboration and Representation Serve as the primary liaison with U SPORTS, OUA, and peer institutions. Represent McMaster University at league meetings, committees, and national/provincial sport forums. Collaborate with internal partners across Athletics & Recreation and the broader university. Qualifications and Experience Education University degree required (Masters degree preferred), or equivalent combination of education and experience. Experience Minimum of 710 years of progressive leadership experience. Experience in highperformance sport, athletics administration, sport management, or a comparable sport industry role considered an asset. Skills Proven leader who inspires excellence and drives results through trust, collaboration, and accountability. Deep understanding of highperformance sport models and their practical implementation. Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders. Demonstrated ability to manage change, lead teams, and navigate complex environments. Comprehensive knowledge of sport governance, compliance, eligibility, risk management, and health & safety. Strategic thinker with strong analytical, planning, and problemsolving skills. Strong financial acumen, including budgeting, forecasting, and data analysis. *Please note that this role will require flexible work hours, including evenings and weekends as necessary. Pay Transparency Statement The posted hiring range represents McMasters typical hiring range for this position. Actual starting salary will depend on factors such as relevant experience, qualifications, internal equity, and market conditions. Individuals with extensive experience, deep specialized expertise, and/or those who can demonstrate exceptional past performance, as applicable, may be hired at a higher rate within the full range, in accordance with the University compensation policies. How To Apply To apply for this job, please submit your application online. #J-18808-Ljbffr