Job Details

Assistant Director Guest Experience and Strategic Planning

Position Number: 7274804
Location: Boulder, CO
Position Type: Student Affairs and Services

Assistant Director Guest Experience and Strategic Planning

Requisition Number: 73104
Location: Boulder Colorado
Employment Type: University Staff
Schedule: Full Time
Posting Close Date: 06-Jul-2026
Date Posted:

Job Summary

The Recreation Services department at the University of Colorado, Boulder is currently seeking applications for an Assistant Director Guest Experience and Strategic Planning! This position provides direct leadership and collaborative support for Guest Experience which includes membership services, locker room management, equipment check-out, pro shop sales, the department's comprehensive assessment plan and serves as the primary administrator for Fusion POS (point of sale). Work performed will include strategic planning, implementing risk management strategies, fiscal oversight, developing policies and procedures, staff hiring, training and development. The position also works with internal and external partners, while providing program oversight to ensure compliance and operational success. The Assistant Director of Guest Experience and Strategic Planning also works with related student life and other campus departments to foster positive working relationships.
CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Who We Are

The Division of Student Life consists of 36 departments that provide student support and services dedicated to helping students become successful, curious, competent individuals during their time at CU Boulder.
CU Boulder Recreation Services is a welcoming, valued, campus resource that promotes healthy lifestyles through high-quality, accessible, facilities and experiences. This student-fee-funded unit features a student-led CUSG Recreation Board and a diverse team of professional experts to help meet evolving recreational needs and support student engagement and success. Recreation Services supervises the LEED Platinum main campus Student Rec Center, a building with over 300,000 square feet of recreation and fitness activity space, as well as a satellite recreation center at Williams Village, outdoor basketball courts, a challenge ropes course, and eight turf and grass fields around campus. Throughout these facilities, members of the CU community can engage with a variety of programs that include ice skating, indoor rock climbing, intramural and club sports, yoga, aquatics, and so much more.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

Fiscal Management

Provide direct oversight for all financial and business transactions related to Guest Experience.
Maintains and monitors record-keeping system to track expenses monthly.
Develops quarterly projections and annual budget for Guest Experience to include membership services, locker services, pro shop/vending and equipment check-out generating approximately $900,000 in revenue annually.
Supervises all revenue generated through the point of sale and online transactions and expenses for student hourly, memberships, lockers, pro shop, and vending.
Manages You Belong Here Financial Assistance Fund.
Adheres to standard processes to purchase merchandise for equipment check-out products and makes good sound decisions regarding the use of department financial resources that will benefit Guest Experience.
Provides supervision of in-person and online fiscal management systems FreedomPay and Authorize.net to include all department refunds.
Works with Student Life Business and Finance to initiate and process purchase orders and other business related requests.

Staff Supervision

Directly supervises 1.0 FTE and offers indirect support of 50 student hourly employees and volunteer staff.
Supervise the Guest Experience Coordinator in developing and leading meaningful meetings and educational trainings to improve procedures and make improvements to workflow and productivity.
Mentor, coach and evaluate the Guest Experience Coordinator on an ongoing basis providing regular feedback to improve work performance.
Develop policies and procedures for Guest Experience to streamline processes and create efficiencies.
May serve as the back-up in the absence of the Senior Assistant Director of Experience & Administration.
Work with the Experience and Administration team to ensure communication about events is relayed to Guest Experience staff and manage facility access for events and rental groups.
Responsible for hiring, onboarding, and ensuring pay for all student employees, offering continued oversight of employee status and addressing any arising issues. This is done collaboratively with Student Life Employee Experience.

Assessment

Develop and maintain a comprehensive assessment plan to include learning outcomes for the department.
Chair the Rec department assessment committee.
Coordinate and develop the department's Annual Report in conjunction with the director.
Work with Student Life to meet the goals and deadlines on behalf of the department for the Student Life strategic assessment plan.
Work with department colleagues and assist with implementing Qualtrics surveys for programs and facilities to assess service delivery outcomes.
Manage, organize and coordinate special projects for the department as requested by the director.
Work collaboratively with Student Life Marketing & Communications to create, manage, and implement any media and promotional needs that will include social media advertisements, social media posts and reports, webpage edits, promotional fliers, etc.
Uses creativity and area expertise to independently identify, examine and resolve advanced issues that arise and communicates resolutions clearly with appropriate parties.

Systems Management

Department expert managing Fusion (POS) operating system and maintaining related hardware and dedicated to implementing new and improved features and efficiencies.
Develop and build custom reports to meet the demands of the department's needs.
Provide Fusion training for staff and implement guidelines and standards.
Manage student and non-student membership database through departmental coordination with the Office of Information Technology (OIT) and Office of Identity and Access Management.
Serve as the main point of contact for Fusion tech support, ticket submission, and initiate upgrades to allow for efficiency and innovation.
Responsible for advancing technology within Fusion and working closely with Student Life Technology Services to resolve technology related issues, including selecting and purchasing equipment.
Department specialist for Connect2 software and ensuring all appropriate staff are trained and use this platform with developing task lists, depository for required staff documentation, and the location for training materials and video.
Expert knowledge of equipment and facilities management and operational knowledge of departmental and university policies and procedures, ensuring compliance to organizational expectations through development and implementation.

Administrative

Attend and actively participate in staff meetings, in-service education sessions, and other divisional or departmental meetings.
Develop and deliver high-quality experiences for students and the greater University community.
Participate in other departmental or divisional initiatives, programs, and committees as required.
Participate in the development of ideas and suggestions for Recreation Services and facility improvements.
Ensure that the Recreation Center's facilities, equipment, and programs are meeting or exceeding the standards of the department quality by using and attending its offerings.
Assist with additional initiatives, assignments, and special projects as needed.
Coordinate and/or assist with special events and activities as necessary.
Engage in annual diversity and inclusion training.
Attend state, regional and national conferences for professional growth and development.
Available to work flexible hours including some evenings and weekends.

What You Should Know

Available to work evenings, weekends, and a flexible schedule as needed for special events.
CPR/AED/First Aid Certification or the ability to earn in the first 3 months of employment.

What We Can Offer

Approved salary range is $65,500 - $72,000.

Benefits

At the University of Colorado Boulder, we are committed to supporting the holistic health and well-being of our employees. Our comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental, and retirement plans; generous paid time off; tuition assistance for you and your dependents; and an ECO Pass for local transit. As one of Boulder County's largest employers, CU Boulder offers an inspiring academic community and access to world-class outdoor recreation. Explore additional perks and programs through the CU Advantage program.

Be Statements

Be collaborative. Be resourceful. Be Boulder.

What We Require

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in a field of study related to the work assignment. Equivalent combination of education and experience may substitute.
Three years progressively responsible experience with recreation or related fitness services, including experience supervising/leading staff, budgeting, and managing recreation facilities.

What You Will Need

Solid understanding of entry control policies and procedures for membership and locker room management.
Demonstrated verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
Ability to think critically and make independent decisions.
Ability to be thorough and detailed with documentation.
Ability to communicate effectively in high stress/pressure situations.
Proven track record to organize, prioritize and perform multiple tasks with little or no supervision. Ability to use strengths to leverage and deliver purposeful results
Ability to embrace and apply the team model with student and professional staff to sustain an inclusive and trusting working environment
Ability to participate on or assume a leadership role with projects, activities, events and committees for Recreation Services
Ability to develop and maintain collaborative, supportive, and professional relationships
Ability to support colleagues and actively contribute to a collegial work environment by demonstrating diplomacy, tact and professionalism
Ability to demonstrate active engagement with and support diversity of individuals, opinions and perspectives in support of the department's mission, vision, and values

Special Instructions

To apply, please submit the following materials:

A current resume.
A cover letter that specifically tells us how your background and experience align with the requirements, qualifications, and responsibilities of the position.

We may request references at a later time.

Please apply by July 6, 2026 for consideration.
Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, please apply through CU Boulder Jobs.

In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, in any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.

To apply, visit https://jobs.colorado.edu/jobs/JobDetail/Assistant-Director-Guest-Experience-and-Strategic-Planning/73104