Assistant Director, Ritchie Center Operations at University of Denver

Quinte West, Ontario, Canada -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

11 Sep, 26

Salary

69963.0

Posted On

13 Jun, 26

Experience

2 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Facility Scheduling, Revenue Management, Staff Supervision, Risk Management, Financial Administration, Customer Service, Aquatics Operations, Space Planning, Performance Management, Budget Forecasting, Emergency Planning, Contract Development

Industry

Higher Education

Description

This position is being posted in accordance with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act. The University is currently considering a preferred internal candidate for this role. This notice is provided to inform eligible applicants of the opportunity to apply. At the University of Denver, Student Affairs is at the heart of the student journey—empowering every student to thrive academically, personally, and professionally. Rooted in DU’s signature 4D Experience, our division is committed to fostering holistic development through four dimensions: deepen intellect, develop wellbeing, discover character, and design careers and lives of purpose. Our work reaches far beyond the classroom. Through dynamic, high-impact programs, services, and experiences offered at both the Denver Campus and the Kennedy Mountain Campus, we foster inclusive communities, promote health and wellness, cultivate exploration, engagement, and leadership, and develop a deep sense of belonging. We are committed to creating a high-touch environment where students and participants connect meaningfully, grow confidently, and thrive personally and collectively. As a division, we serve the broader DU and Denver community which includes: * Current DU Students & Families * Prospective Students & Families * Faculty & Staff * Alumni & Donors * Local Community * Companies & Organizations * National Peers & Media Together, we are shaping a vibrant, supportive, and dynamic campus culture where every student and participant can discover their potential and make a meaningful impact. The Student Affairs division includes the following units: * 4D Experience * Office of External Relations (OER) * Housing, Residential Education and Dining Services * Driscoll & Community Commons * Business and Planning * Student Engagement * New Student & Family Programs * Kennedy Mountain Campus * DU Outdoors * Wellness & Recreation * Health & Counseling Center * First@DU * Learning Effectiveness Program * Student Disability Services * Student Outreach & Support * Student Rights & Responsibilities * Veteran & Military Resources * Office of the Dean of Students Kennedy Mountain Campus, Wellness & Recreation The Kennedy Mountain Campus, Wellness & Recreation department at the University of Denver (DU) is a vibrant and integrative unit that advances the university’s holistic 4D Experience—supporting intellectual growth, well-being, character development, and purposeful careers and lives. By bridging DU’s urban and mountain campuses, the department offers immersive wellness and recreational programs that cultivate personal growth, resilience, and meaningful community engagement. At the heart of our urban campus, the Daniel L. Ritchie Center for Sports and Wellness fosters a championship culture grounded in excellence, integrity, and connection. Drawing inspiration from the spirit of the Rocky Mountain West, our team embraces innovation and builds lasting relationships that serve as a vital link across DU’s diverse community. Nestled beside Roosevelt National Forest, the James C. Kennedy Mountain Campus spans 724 acres of breathtaking wilderness. This unique setting provides students with transformative, nature-based learning experiences designed to deepen their connection to self, others, and the natural world. With a focus on leadership, character development, and holistic well-being—spanning social, spiritual, and physical dimensions—the campus is a cornerstone of DU’s commitment to experiential education. Position Summary The Assistant Director of Ritchie Center Operations provides visible, hands‑on leadership for the daily operation, promotion, and continuous improvement of the Daniel L. Ritchie Center. This role is accountable for driving a high‑performance culture that delivers exceptional service, safe and efficient operations, and consistent excellence across all facilities and programs. Core areas of responsibility include facility rentals and supervision, scheduling, operations and staffing, facility security and access control, inspections, capital asset management, facility usage, and related operational functions. Reporting to the Director of Community Recreation and Ritchie Center Operations and directly supervising the Manager of Ritchie Center Events & Operations and the Aquatics Manager, the Assistant Director sets clear expectations, builds operational discipline, and develops leaders and staff through coaching, performance management, and continuous feedback. This position reinforces a culture of accountability, teamwork, and service excellence while ensuring alignment with university, divisional, and venue goals, policies, and safety standards. This role is responsible for delivering a consistently exceptional customer experience for all Ritchie Center participants, members, and guests by leading front‑line operations that shape every interaction—from parking and facility access to transactions, communication, safety, and personalized service. Through data‑informed decision‑making, proactive problem‑solving, and attention to detail, the Assistant Director ensures facilities are welcoming, high‑quality, and prepared to meet the needs of a diverse and dynamic community. The Assistant Director serves as an operational leader during evenings, nights, and weekends, modeling professionalism, adaptability, and sound judgment in a fast‑paced environment. This position summary is not intended to be all‑inclusive; responsibilities may evolve to meet operational demands, support strategic priorities, and advance a culture of continuous improvement and high performance. Essential Functions Lead Comprehensive Facility Scheduling and Space Planning * Provide senior leadership for all Ritchie Center scheduling and space utilization to ensure operational excellence, fairness, and maximum institutional impact. Maintain and continuously optimize multi‑year facility calendars; manage and approve all bookings; ensure consistent policy compliance; and proactively balance the needs of Athletics, Wellness & Recreation, University partners, and external clients. Leverage data, forecasting, and scenario planning to maximize utilization, reduce conflicts, and support revenue, programs, and mission‑critical priorities. Drive and Manage Facility Rental Revenue * Own the end‑to‑end facility rental lifecycle with a results‑driven mindset, from sales strategy and contract development through final approvals and operational handoff. Achieve or exceed established annual revenue targets by cultivating strong internal and external relationships, applying sound pricing and scheduling decisions, and ensuring clear expectations and seamless transitions to operations staff. Continuously evaluate and improve rental processes to enhance client satisfaction, operational efficiency, and financial performance. Oversee Financial Administration for Rentals and Events * Ensure disciplined financial stewardship by overseeing accurate billing, invoicing, payments, reconciliation, and revenue forecasting for all facility rentals and events. Maintain high standards of accuracy, transparency, and internal controls within scheduling and financial systems. Use financial data to inform decision‑making, identify trends, mitigate risk, and support both short‑ and long‑term operational planning. Ensure Safe, Compliant Facility Operations * Champion a culture of safety, preparedness, and compliance across all Ritchie Center venues. Lead proactive risk assessment and mitigation efforts; oversee emergency planning, facility inspections, and incident documentation; and ensure consistent adherence to health, safety, and security standards. Model professional judgment and accountability, reinforcing staff expectations for vigilance, responsiveness, and continuous improvement in risk management practices. Provide Operational Leadership for Facilities and Events * Provide direct supervision and performance leadership to the Manager of Ritchie Center Events & Operations. Set clear expectations, evaluate performance, and support professional growth while coordinating complex, concurrent events. Maintain high facility quality and service standards, and partner effectively with Facilities and other stakeholders on maintenance, capital projects, and operational improvements that enhance reliability, efficiency, and customer experience. Oversee Aquatics Operations and Revenue Programs * Supervise and coach the Aquatics Manager to ensure consistently safe, compliant, and high‑functioning aquatics operations. Hold leaders accountable for lifeguard readiness, certification compliance, and risk management while driving growth in participation and earned revenue through instructional programs, certifications, and Masters Swimming. Foster innovation, staff development, and program quality to strengthen both safety outcomes and financial sustainability. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Knowledge * Staff Management: Motivate and build relationships with staff to achieve desired outcome in relation to revenue generation, facility safety, cleanliness, and customer service. * Customer Service: Engage and strengthen our relationships with students, alumni, and the Denver community. * Leadership: Motivate the team to act toward achieving the goals of the Division. Skills * Physical Demands: Employee is regularly required to be able to operate work-related equipment. The employee must be able to frequently move about the facility with capability of transporting equipment or objects up to 50 pounds. The employee must be able to effectively communicate verbally with customers and employees of the university. * Mathematical Skills: Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, percentages, and participation statistics. Also, familiarity with financial concepts such as budget development/forecasting, depreciation, contribution margin, etc. Abilities * Reasoning: Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of variables in situations where only limited standardization may exist. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, or schedule form. * Communication & Organization: Ability to work with the public with tact and judgment. Excellent organizational skills required. Required Qualifications * Bachelor’s Degree in kinesiology, sports management, health education, recreation, student affairs or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience. * 2-4 years managing in a sports or recreation facility. * CPR/AED/First Aid Certification Preferred Qualifications * Master’s Degree in kinesiology, sports management, health education, recreation administration, business administration, student affairs or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience. * 4+ years experience managing in a sports or recreation facility. * CPR/AED/First Aid Instructor Working Environment * Standard office environment. * Unexpected interruptions occur often and stress level is moderate to high. * Noise level is quiet to moderate. Physical Activities * Ability to work in front of a computer for extended periods of time. * Occasionally required to move about the office/campus. Application Deadline For consideration, please submit your application materials by 4:00 p.m. (MST) June 14, 2026. Special Instructions Candidates must apply online through jobs.du.edu [https://jobs.du.edu/en-us/listing/] to be considered. Only applications submitted online will be accepted. Salary Grade Number: The salary grade for the position is 10. Salary Rate: The salary rate for this position is $69,963. The University of Denver has provided a compensation range that represents its good faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the time of posting. The University may ultimately pay more or less than the posted compensation range. The salary offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information, but not based on a candidate’s sex or any other protected status. Benefits: The University of Denver offers excellent benefits [https://www.du.edu/sites/default/files/2026-02/Benefits%20Overview-Benefited%20Employees_FINAL_2.9.2026.pdf], including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefit and ECO pass. The University of Denver is a private institution that empowers students who want to make a difference. Learn more about the University of Denver [https://www.du.edu/]. Please include the following documents with your application: 1. Resume The University of Denver is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression), marital, family, or parental status, pregnancy or related conditions, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. The University of Denver does not discriminate and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, age, religion, creed, disability, sex (including sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression), marital family, and parental status, pregnancy, genetic information, military enlistment, or veteran status, and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination under federal, state, or local law, regulation, or ordinance in any of the University’s educational programs and activities, and in the employment (including application for employment) and admissions (including application for admission) context, as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; the Americans with Disabilities Act; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; the Equal Pay Act; the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act; the Colorado Protecting Opportunities and Worker's Rights ("POWR") Act; and any other federal, state, and local laws, regulations, or ordinances that prohibit discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation. For more information, please see the University of Denver's Non‑Discrimination‑Statement [https://www.du.edu/equalopportunity/non-discrimination-statement]. All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory completion of a criminal history background check.

Responsibilities

Lead the daily operations, scheduling, and promotion of the Daniel L. Ritchie Center to ensure a high-performance culture and exceptional customer experience. Oversee facility rentals, revenue generation, safety compliance, and the supervision of events and aquatics staff.