Assistant Director – Camper Experience and Engagement

Description

This role serves a key member of the year-round Camp Wise professional team. Working collaboratively, this skilled camp professional develops a shared vision, and designs and implements the recruitment and retention strategy, Camp Wise summer programmatic experience for campers, and year-round engagement for campers and their families.

Camp Wise, the third-oldest Jewish overnight camp in the country, is a strong and growing residential camp based in Cleveland, OH serving nearly 600 campers each summer from the region and across the nation. You will transform the lives of youth and young adults by thinking big, implementing an innovative summer experience, campifying year-round camp and community experiences, and sharing your love of camp with energy and excellence each day. As you build relationships with the next generation of campers and staff members, you will bring hundreds of new individuals into lifelong friendships, inspire personal growth, and nurture a love for Jewish community, Israel and the Jewish people in others.

Under the Camp Director’s supervision and in collaboration with the year-round leadership team, the Program Manager will: (1) design and execute the programs and activities at Camp Wise by supervising program-area supervisors, make critical decisions about programmatic goals and culture, and ensure that campers experience peak moments and endless fun; (2) develop and implement strategic plans for camper recruitment, retention and family engagement. Create gatherings and retreats year-round that leverage community partnerships in the region to deepen the impact of Camp Wise and help new campers feel ready for their first summer; (3) effectively communicate Camp Wise's mission, culture, energy, and endless fun through social media, texts, website and e-mail, using the latest marketing tools and in partnership with the Mandel JCC’s marketing team. This position includes the benefit of full-time residence at Camp Wise in Chardon, OH during the summer months, for specific programming during the fall, winter and spring, and monthly travel through the Camp Wise region.

Essential Functions:
Exemplify the mission and goals of the Mandel Jewish Community Center and Camp Wise.
Lead others as an active, positive, collaborative and highly ethical member of the MJCC and Camp Wise staff team.
Model and implement the Jewish values of Camp Wise and its mission.
Ensure the best possible experience for each individual child and staff member at Camp Wise in accordance with Camp Wise core values.

• Recruit, Retain and Engage Campers
o Design and implement a strategic plan for camper recruitment in local markets, develop recruitment in regional and national markets, and enhance camper retention each year to meet budget and enrollment goals.
o Implement systems for tracking and converting camper leads into enrollments, administer plan of retention and recruitment contacts utilizing the professional team members.
o Create and schedule recruitment events locally, nationally, and internationally as required; build relationships with campers and their families in-person and by phone, text, and email.
o Lead prospective family information sessions locally and throughout the region.
o Innovate in the field and campify the community: increase Camp Wise’s recruitment by fostering strong relationships between campers and creating deeper connections within Mandel JCC and the Camp Wise region during the school year.

• Develop Summer and Year-round Programming
o Develop mission-aligned goals and supervise all aspects of cabin activities, schedules and program area activities (chugim), and village programs – utilizing creativity and ingenuity in program design for sports, arts, media, nature, waterfront, and more. Mirror summer goals in all year-round camp programming
o Supervise program area supervisors (8 direct reports), Programming Supervisor and Village programmers (up to 4 direct reports); Design and execute specialist training in partnership with camp leadership
o Create and administer activity/program schedules for cabins and villages; Oversee all-camp events such as Maccabia, Carnivals, Talent Shows and more based on camp’s needs.

• Engage Campers and Families
o Design and lead year-round camper programming, including but not limited to: fall and winter overnights, Family Camp, Reunions, Family Fun Day, camp tours, open houses and more based on your creativity. Supervise year-round program staff.
o Create new camper engagement strategies that merge creativity with existing strong community partnerships between Camp Wise and area synagogues, schools, The Jewish Federation and the Jewish Education Center.
o Administer initiatives of your own design that prepare new campers for an incredible first summer at Camp Wise such as, pre-camp meet ups, online town halls, new camper orientation and more.
o Consult with community care manager on new camper screening and to track individual camper needs in preparation for the summer season

• Communicate with the Camp Wise Community
o In collaboration with leadership team, develop a strong and positive brand in the communities served by Camp Wise using digital marketing and engagement tools.
o Maintain an interactive online presence for current campers, families, and alumni utilizing the Camp Wise website, Facebook, Instagram, and more.
o Implement Camp Wise’s communication plan (emails, phone calls, mailings) in collaboration with MJCC Marketing and Communications Department.
o Manage & maintain Camp Wise presence throughout JCC building and Jewish community (locally and regionally).

• Support Camp Wise Advancement
o Support Leadership Team in maintaining year-round alumni engagement through social media/marketing, events, and campaigns.
o Support Camp Director with implementation of Camp Wise annual and future capital campaigns.
o Attend professional development conferences and programs as a lifelong learner.
o Perform additional duties as assigned by the Camp Director.