The SARD Manager will play a crucial role in developing a vision for competitive, recreational, and intramural activities on campus that aligns with the department, division, and institutional vision and mission.The primary responsibility of the SARD Manager will be to plan, budget, implement, oversee, monitor, evaluate, and analyze all Sports Program, recreational and intramural activities to ensure their successful delivery. To ensure the safe and successful delivery of activities, the post-holder will oversee all aspects of risk management and activity safety, including maintaining and updating relevant policies, procedures, and guidance, and sharing them with key stakeholders, such as departmental colleagues, activity participants, event organizers, and student leads.The SARD Manager will work collaboratively with departmental colleagues to ensure that activities are well advertised, participated in, and synchronized with other departmental and divisional processes, activities, and functions. The post-holder should also have a good understanding of multiple sports and physical activity rules, organization, and requirements, ensuring that current trends and best practices amongst higher education campus competitive and recreational programs are understood and aligned.The SARD Manager role requires evening and weekend commitments during the academic year. At times, the duties of this role may involve being exposed to sensitive data that requires confidentiality.Job Responsibilities
Leadership and Strategic Planning: Develop and implement strategic plans for the Sports and Recreation Department (SARD) that align with the vision and mission of the university. Lead the SARD team to ensure the successful delivery of various programs and activities for the student body and AUS community.
Program Management: Manage and deliver competitive, recreational, and intramural programs for the student body and AUS community on a weekly, semesterly, and yearly basis. Ensure that programs are well-planned, well-organized, and meet the needs of the participants. This includes managing schedules, budgets, stakeholder engagement, communication, risk management, student employment opportunities, travel logistics, training development, and administrative support.
Supervision: Hire, supervise, mentor, and guide relevant staff, student assistants, recreation/intramural league coordinators, and officials. Ensure that staff are well-trained, motivated, and supported in their roles. Provide regular feedback and performance evaluations to staff to ensure continuous improvement.
Data Tracking, Analysis, and Reporting: Use new and existing data sources to conduct data analysis in order to create comprehensive reports and presentations demonstrating the areas of significant impact. Use this data to guide future work, generate opportunities for future collaborations, and share with stakeholders. The post-holder will also support the collation of student and community feedback.
External Relations: Build relationships within the sports and wellness communities in the UAE, governing bodies, and institutional partners. Continuously share the progress of AUS Athletics by telling its story through online engagement and the appropriate delivery of communication plans and collaborations with the universitys external relations team.
Student Experience Divisional Leadership Support: Provide ongoing support to the Student Affairs division by leading various committees, working groups, and promoting a culture of professional development for staff. Involvement in candidate recruitment weekends, welcome week, and graduation will be required.
Financial Management: Ensure that the SARD budget is effectively managed and monitored, and that all expenditure is in line with university policies and procedures. Identify opportunities for revenue generation and cost savings where possible.
Health and Safety: Ensure that all SARD programs and activities are carried out in a safe and secure environment, in line with relevant health and safety policies and procedures. This includes ensuring that appropriate risk assessments are carried out and that necessary measures are put in place to mitigate any identified risks.
Qualifications and Skills Required
Masters degree in a sports-related field : physical education, sports administration, sports management, recreation management, sports studies.
At least five years of experience managing or coordinating sports programs in higher education.
Strong commitment to excellence.
Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
High level of administrative and organizational competence.
Excellent decision-making skills.
Ability to multitask and work under pressure to meet multiple deadlines.
Lead and work independently, and within a team environment.
Work a flexible schedule, including evening and weekend assignments.
Work effectively in a multi-ethnic and multicultural environment with students, faculty, and staff.
Knowledge of and experience with Google Drive and Microsoft Office Suite applications.
Experience with Microsoft Office 365.
Ability to swiftly learn new software applications.
Preferred Qualifications and Skills
An undergraduate degree in a sports-related field: physical education, sports administration, sports management, recreation management, sports studies.
Coaching and/or teaching certifications.
At least three years of experience working in an athletic department within higher education, responsible for recreational and/or intramural programming.
Coaching and/or teaching experience.
A passion for sports.
Ability to create recreational programs that are inclusive, innovative, and promote the well-being of students and the community.
How to Apply
Interested applicants should fill out the
. * AUS alumni are encouraged to apply. Applicants who do not meet specified requirements will not be shortlisted. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
AUS is an equal opportunity employer. We adhere to a policy of making employment decisions without regard to race, color, age, gender, religion, national origin, disability or marital status. Opportunities for employment are based solely upon ones qualifications.