JCC Day Camp Director

Job Title: JCC Day Camp Director

Department: Children Families

FLSA Status: Exempt

Date: Fall 2024

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Director of JCC Day Camp oversees the administration, enrollment, and daily operations of JCC Day Camp, the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan's indoor day camp at 76th Street, currently serving 150 campers each summer. During the year, the Director is responsible for new lead generation and camper retention, overseeing off-season events to engage current prospective families, hiring and managing summer staff, and developing innovative camp programming. During the year, this position works in collaboration with our Camp Settoga Director, to ensure the sustainability, operational efficiency, and program excellence of both camps. During the summer, the Director will be highly visible to campers, staff, and families during the camp day, overseeing daily camp operations, managing camp staff, and corresponding with parents.

MAJOR ACCOUNTABILITIES

Fall - Winter - Spring (Approximately September 1 - May 30)

The Director is part of the year-round Camps team, supporting the growth and development of both the Day Camp @ 76th Street and Camp Settoga, in Pomona, NY.

Camper Enrollment Family Engagement

• The Director will review year-over-year enrollment trends to establish seasonal goals and sales plans, leading to overall growth to achieve full enrollment in the next several years.
• Engage with prospective and enrolled camp families. Lead and support the camp team in a successful enrollment season - partnering with the marketing department to create a camper recruitment and marketing plan, following up on all leads, conducting tours, responding to family questions, and ensuring positive interactions.
• Ensure accurate data entry and data management in all systems.
• Work in collaboration with the Settoga director to identify Day Camp campers ready for a larger program experience. Help to make a seamless handoff for these families.
• Conduct recruitment events, including Settoga 365 events, and work with the marketing/engagement department to create targeted marketing collateral.
• Ensure continued growth of Camp through developing and implementing successful sales strategies, value-add pricing initiatives, proactive outreach, and engagement events.
• Represent and promote Day Camp @ The JCC at camp fairs, conduct tours, and coordinate family events at camp and during the off-season.

Staffing

• Interview, train, motivate, and manage Camp summer staff, including counselors, and the leadership team. Support Camp Settoga hiring as well, with new candidates, leveraging shared networks, and interviewing support when needed.
• Collaborate with administrative staff during the off-season to prepare for the upcoming summer and conduct regularly scheduled staff meetings.
• As a member of the Children Families Leadership team, facilitate and support families' seamless experience of all programs as part of one unified JCC.

Program

• Develop and deliver a strategy for aligning the camp with best practices in early childhood, ensuring the camp is a safe and nurturing environment for children ages 2-5.
• Work with the camp team to develop new camp programming ideas, ensuring the successful introduction and evaluation of innovative activities and programming.
• Create and maintain intentional Jewish programming highlighting the 8 primary values of camp.
• Review and maintain all aspects of the ACA accreditation and standards.
• Maintain a partnership with JCC Nursery School and School Age Program to create experiences for children and families throughout the JCC.
• Create a strong partnership with Camp Settoga, to ensure that JCC Day camp is a natural on-ramp for families to join our off-site camp in Pomona, NY. Off-season activities and initiatives, including Settoga 365, should collaborate between camps.
• Oversee development and delivery of seasonal holiday camps (winter break, February break, end of August break). Potential to partner with Camp Settoga for 1-day adventures on days when school is not in session.

Summer (Approximately June 1 - August 30)

Camper Family Engagement

• Maintain an active and high-visibility presence at camp.
• Ongoing partnership with families and problem-solving through complexities as they arise.
• Manage written and electronic correspondence with camp families.
• Lead family information sessions and pre-camp orientations.
• Lead camp-wide gatherings and promote camp spirit throughout the summer
• Develop strong and positive relationships with parents and stakeholders to ensure the delivery of high levels of customer service.

Staffing

• Plan and lead staff orientation with the year-round and seasonal leadership teams.
• Conduct daily leadership team meetings and check-ins.
• Lead weekly staff meetings with a focus on team building and professional development
• Implement a system for evaluating staff and support the leadership team in its utilization
• Oversee the day-to-day management of Camp throughout the summer months, emphasizing safety, healthfulness, and fun.
• Respond to any problems that arise are responded to in a calm, measured, and appropriate manner.
• Create solutions to problems, in conjunction with the Unit Heads and Care Team director.
• Manage and evaluate Camp leadership and counselors throughout the camp's duration, ensuring that the required quality and safety standards of all programming are consistently achieved.
• Provide training and guidance to staff members on emergency response procedures, first aid, CPR, and other relevant safety protocols.

Program

• Prepare and coordinate all programming for Camp, ensuring the successful introduction and evaluation of new activities and programming.
• Ensure that the required standards of programming are maintained.
• Perform other related duties as requested or assigned.

Budget Operations Health and Safety (year-round)

• Develop and oversee comprehensive budget plans to align with organizational goals and objectives.
• Coordinate purchasing, including vendor selection, negotiation, and procurement of goods and services.
• Manage payroll processes, including accurate and timely processing.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant Department of Health regulations, including maintaining necessary permits and certifications. Develop and implement comprehensive health and safety protocols and procedures for camp activities, facilities, and participants.

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Bachelor's degree in education, child development or related field

5 years of leadership experience within a camp environment

EXPERIENCE, SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS

• Previous experience in a summer camp program in a senior leadership capacity.
• Proven track record of positive interactions with young children, teens, parents, and staff.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills. Strong collaborative working style, with the aptitude to interact positively and assuredly with colleagues, children, and parents.
• Active network within camps programming preferred, with the ability to keep abreast of new developments and movements.
• Proficient in using Office 365 programs and Google Suite, familiarity with CampDoc, Camptivities, and other camp management data management systems a plus.

Salary Range: Minimum$85K - Maximum $100K