Summary:

The Mandel JCC is seeking a highly motivated candidate to ensure the effective management and oversight of the daily operation of Camping and Youth programming including J Day Camps, Camp Wise, overnight camp, Mandel JCC’s Early Childhood Preschool, After School Programming, and young family programs. This position supervises the Camp Wise Director, Director, Day Camps and Children’s Services and the Early Childhood Co-Directors. In this role, the Senior Director of Camping and Youth services works with senior leadership and program managers to ensure alignment of youth services and organization priorities, manage and develop talent, implement safety and quality controls, and create administrative efficiencies. The Senior Director will engage in organizational, programmatic, and community focused strategic planning and program development, and collaborate and communicate with the President and CEO, members of the board, and philanthropic funders to pursue meaningful results and sustainable outcomes for all children, adolescents, and young adults throughout all programs and locations.. The Senior Director of Camping and Youth Services is a member of the Mandel JCC’s senior leadership team.

As an organizational thought-leader and change agent, the Senior Director will help to define and implement programs and services aligned with our strategic priorities and become a recognized leader of youth services.

Expectations of Employees:

• Support the Mission of the Mandel JCC.

• Ensure the highest quality of programs and services and possess a working knowledge of agency programs and services.

• Represent the agency and provide the highest quality of customer service to the individuals and groups with whom you come into contact.

• Treat fellow staff with respect.

• Wear Mandel JCC Staff ID badge, dress professionally for the position and attend all appropriate staff meetings.

Essential Functions:

Staffing

• Early Childhood: In partnership with Human Resources, develop and implement recruiting strategies for educator staff including teachers, support specialists, and enrichment staff for the preschool

• Camp: In partnership with Human Resources, develop and implement recruiting strategies for both local and international staff including leadership, counselors, specialists, and support personnel for the camps.

• Children’s Programs: In partnership with Human Resources, develop and implement recruiting strategies, for all positions including but not limited to before/after school staff, vacation camp staff, enrichment contractors and other support specialists for all children’s school year programming

• Develop staff training and onboarding plans for all aspects of Children and Youth services in conjunction with Human Resources including on-going training for staff in multiple areas including policies and procedures in accordance with the government and JCC mandates and guidelines.

• Develop strategies for working effectively with children, colleagues and families.

• Develops staff at all levels to meet highest standards of performance, and assume additional responsibilities as appropriate.

Recruitment and Retention

• Works with Mandel JCC Marketing department to develop effective, calendared marketing and branding strategies that support recruitment and retention strategies and goals all related departments.

• Develops and implements a year round strategy to meet transition/retention goals from school year to camp and back of current participants.

• Actively engages the Cleveland community to meet with potential program participants, parents, and partners in order to build and expand the businesses.

Culture

• Coach, support, and guide Program Managers including coordinators and directors within different programmatic functions

• Convene and facilitate regular meetings with program units and cross-functional teams to assess progress and identify challenges related to internal processes, implementation, and evaluation

• Drive the development of a culture that embraces performance without sacrificing its commitment to qualitative outcomes. This includes coaching and guiding personnel to welcome and celebrate learning at all levels of the organization

Strategic Planning

• Participates with Leadership Team and various Committees in developing and implementing strategic plans which will ensure stable programs and expand the programs with an efficient and effective.

Program Development

• Implements programming for children, parents, and families which will encourage commitment to the year round program experience.

• Ensures development and implementation of innovative and meaningful programming for Children & Youth Departments.

• In partnership with the Department of Jewish Life and Culture, expand Judaic programming which reflects the informal Jewish education purpose of the Mandel JCC through the development of a variety of activities, programs and experiences that educate, support and serve children and their families Jewishly on a year round basis.

• Improves and oversees all systems and procedures of registration (paperwork, parent communication, carpool, shuttle, registration, payment systems, etc.)

• Ensures consistency in policies and procedures across all program areas.

• Remains on call during program time for each department.

• Is the liaison between Children & Youth Services and other JCC departments for schedule coordination and staffing needs.

Business Management

• Ensures all financial activities meet the guidelines established by the Mandel JCC Fiscal department.

• Working closely with the Fiscal department, setting goals, developing and administering all budgets for the departments.

• Monitors revenues and expenses to ensure financial goals are achieved.

• Develops relevant statistical tracking systems and reports out on a regular basis to the executive team and key volunteer leadership.

• Manages all vendor relationships

Site Management

• In conjunction with the department directors, the Camp Wise Facilities Manager, the CFO, and CEO, makes recommendations and prioritization lists for repair and upgrades of infrastructure, buildings, and grounds to protect the assets and ensure safety of all constituent groups at all locations.

• Advises Mandel JCC management of any significant issues regarding physical plant and changes or additions that are required to attract and retain participants.

Fundraising and Alumni Relations

• In conjunction with the Mandel JCC Fund Development Department, assists with the development and implementation of fundraising strategies.

• Engaging public funding entities, corporate donors, and individuals in collaboration with the Executive Leadership. Cultivate new relationships with funding sources to develop and sustain our work.

• Infuses a culture of philanthropy by engaging alumni, past participants and by extension their families in order to expand the donor base.

Lay Leadership

• Develop and maintain partnerships with key stakeholders (funders, Board Members, etc.) to develop and expand effective programs and promising practices. Represent the Mandel JCC with external constituency groups, including community, governmental, and private organizations to develop short and long term plans.

• Cultivate members of the Committees to become ambassadors to the community.

• Identify, recruit, and develop lay leadership.

• Educates Committee members as to the business of Children’s programming at the JCC and the trends in the related industries.

• Completes other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Safety & Security

• Collaborates with risk management and leadership to develop, prepare, and implement safety and security policies and procedures.

• Review, develop, update, and implement emergency preparedness and evacuation plans to ensure the safety of the programmatic areas as well as aligning the overarching agency.

• Appropriately oversee staff safety training in conjunction with security, risk management, and Human Resources.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Education, Social Work, Recreation Sciences, or a related field.

• Five to ten years of education, camp management and administration experience.

• Strong knowledge of Jewish culture, heritage, and traditions.

• Excellent office management and computer literacy (IT) skills (including MS Office applications and internet research)

• Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication, networking, negotiation (conflict management and resolution), and presentation skills.

• Demonstrated proactive approaches to problem-solving with strong decision-making capability

• Highly resourceful team-player, with the ability to also be extremely effective independently

• Proven ability to handle confidential information with discretion

• Bilingual and bicultural skills desirable, but not required

• Ability to work some flexible hours (e.g., evenings and weekends)

• Ability to sit or stand for prolonged periods of time

• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds