Director Student Athlete Experience and High Performance Sport

About the role#

The Director of Student Athlete Experience and High Performance Sport is a leadership position responsible for establishing and implementing a high-performance sport model that aligns with institutional priorities. Reporting to the Senior Director of Athletics and Recreation, you will provide expert guidance on policies, performance frameworks, and program standards to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and best practices in safe, ethical, and inclusive sport. This role involves representing the University in institutional, provincial, and national forums.

What you'll do#

• Lead and support a diverse team of coaches and professional staff, fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
• Oversee varsity sport budgets, including the financial components of athlete support, awards, and scholarships.
• Manage coaching recruitment, performance, and professional development.
• Resolve complex student-athlete and team-related matters.
• Foster collaborative partnerships across campus and externally to enhance program visibility and athlete support.
• Integrate high-performance priorities with operational delivery, including facilities and event execution.
• Contribute to revenue generation strategies, including fundraising and program-based initiatives.

What you'll need#

• Management-level experience in athletic programming and/or coaching.
• Experience with post-secondary athletics programming, including knowledge of OUA and U SPORTS practices.
• Understanding of student development and holistic wellbeing, with the ability to manage risk and protect student safety.
• Strong budget and financial management skills with the ability to exercise significant decision-making authority.
• Demonstrable experience with equity-related strategy and policy implementation, including issues related to Indigenization, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility.
• Academic background in Kinesiology, Health Administration, Business Administration, or Psychology is relevant to this role.

Location & details#

• Location: Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
• Modality: This is an on-site position. The role requires flexibility, as responsibilities often extend into evenings and weekends.
• Term: Commencing late Summer 2026.
• Status: Full-time.