Position Summary
For more than a century, Camp Wise has helped young people build confidence, leadership skills, lifelong friendships, and meaningful connections to Jewish identity, community, and leadership. Founded in 1907, Camp Wise is one of the Mandel JCC's flagship programs and most significant community assets. Located on a 250-acre property in Chardon, Ohio, approximately 40 minutes from Cleveland, Camp Wise combines a vibrant camp community with preserved forests, trails, streams, and outdoor adventure spaces.
As Camp Wise approaches its landmark 120th Summer in 2027, the organization is undertaking a Historic Campus Transformation that includes brand-new camper cabins, a new 650-seat dining hall, recreation and arts facilities, a newly developed staff village designed to recruit, support, and retain adult and senior staff members, and a soon-to-be-constructed Director's House.
Camp Wise's impact extends far beyond the summer months through its connection to the Mandel Jewish Community Center of Cleveland, one of Northeast Ohio's leading nonprofit community organizations. Through this partnership, Camp Wise advances a broader mission of building community, fostering personal growth, and creating meaningful experiences across generations.
The Mandel JCC's Beachwood campus is home to fitness and aquatics facilities, an Early Childhood Center, arts and cultural programming, Jewish life initiatives, adult engagement opportunities, and the agency's popular J-Day Camps. Joining the Mandel JCC means becoming part of a collaborative, mission-driven organization dedicated to connection, enrichment, wellness, and lifelong community engagement.
The Director is responsible for the overall leadership, momentum, management, and performance of Camp Wise. The Director reports directly to the President & CEO and works closely with the Camp Wise Committee, Mandel JCC senior leadership team, and Mandel JCC Board of Directors. Year-round operations are based at the Mandel JCC in Beachwood, Ohio, with on-site residence and leadership in Chardon, Ohio during the summer season.
Core Leadership Responsibilities
1. Strategy, Vision & Growth
• Lead the long-term vision, strategy, culture, and growth of Camp Wise.
• Partner with JCC leadership and project teams to contribute programmatic vision and operational insight toward the Historic Campus Transformation.
• Drive enrollment growth, retention, and long-term sustainability.
2. Operations & Program Excellence
• Oversee overall camp operations, safety, and performance.
• Lead integration of newly developing facilities into seasonal programming.
• Ensure ACA standards, risk management, safety, and security compliance.
• Foster a culture of program innovation and operational excellence.
3. Leadership, Culture & Talent Development
• Recruit, supervise, develop, and inspire leadership staff.
• Position Camp Wise as a premier employer for summer counselors and leadership staff.
• Strengthen year-round and seasonal staff recruitment and retention strategies.
• Promote accountability, growth, and service excellence.
4. Financial Stewardship & Philanthropy
• Lead annual budgeting and business planning.
• Partner with the Mandel JCC Philanthropy Team.
• Support donor engagement and stewardship.
• Help ensure long-term financial sustainability.
5. Community Engagement, Alumni Relations & Jewish Identity
• Serve as a visible leader within Camp Wise and the broader Jewish community.
• Strengthen relationships with campers, families, alumni, donors, and partners.
• Support alumni engagement and lifelong Camp Wise connections.
• Foster meaningful connections to Jewish identity, values and community.
• Serve as a year-round ambassador for Camp Wise.
Immediate Priorities (Years 1–2)
• Campus Modernization & Integration
• Leverage Existing Culture
• Talent Pipeline Development
• Enrollment & Brand Growth
Measures of Success
• Successful integration of historic camps transformation.
• Enrollment and retention growth
• Strong staff recruitment and retention outcomes
• Effective financial stewardship

The Camp Hoover Director leads all aspects of the summer experience at Camp Hoover, the JCC's outdoor day camp featuring waterfront and pool programming, ropes, archery, and traditional camp adventure for rising 4th-8th graders. This position is responsible for camper wellbeing, staff development, program quality, and site readiness throughout the summer season. As a member of the camp leadership team, the Director also serves in year-round capacities alongside colleagues in the Children and Camp Services department, including camper recruitment and retention, family engagement, staff hiring, and support of school-year programming such as JClub Afterschool, School's Out Days, and Parent's Night Out.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Camper Management:
*Know the individual needs of every camper, including health conditions and allergies, and ensure staff are educated and prepared to support them.
*Communicate with camper families in a professional and timely manner regarding injuries, concerns, and questions.
*Support counselors in managing camper behavior and provide fair, consistent consequences and disciplinary follow through.

Staff Management:
*Participate in recruiting, interviewing, and hiring new and returning summer staff, and contribute to hiring and termination decisions.
*Develop and lead staff orientation and in-season training that prepares each team member to lead successfully and grow professionally.
*Maintain supportive, professional relationships with staff and respond to individual needs throughout the summer.
*Provide ongoing coaching and guidance to counselors and conduct formal performance reviews at midsummer and at the close of the season.
*Maintain Camp Hoover staff attendance, schedules, and timecards.

Program Management:
*Model and implement the Jewish values reflected in the Camp mission.
*Design creative, thoughtfully planned programming that challenges and excites campers while teaching new skills.
*Oversee the development and maintenance of all summer program schedules to ensure smooth daily operations.
*Ensure program staff have the guidance, training, and skills needed to create and deliver engaging programs.
*Oversee certifications for ropes and archery staff.
*Ensure safety procedures for every program area are taught and upheld all summer.
*Partner with the Aquatics Department to schedule lifeguards for pool and waterfront activities.
*Conduct an annual review of ACA and DCY standards and ensure full implementation.

Grounds Management:
*Collaborate with the Director of JCC Camps and the Facilities Manager on ongoing maintenance and capital needs, and submit work orders as needed.
*Work with the Aquatics Department to ensure the pool and waterfront are properly prepared, maintained, and closed from the start to the end of summer.
*Ensure grounds and facilities remain clean, safe, and well maintained throughout the season.

Year-Round Engagement and Children's Department Support:
*Create and sustain a strong, positive Camp presence in the community to attract new families, retain returning families, and meet annual registration goals.
*Coordinate with the Director of JCC Camps and the Marketing Department on camper recruitment, including camp fairs, community events, synagogue and school presentations, and marketing materials.
*Develop new ways to keep current campers and families engaged during the school year.
*Participate in the planning and delivery of JClub Afterschool, School's Out Days, Parent's Night Out, and other Children's Department programming.
*Position includes occasional weekend engagement, including but not limited to camp fairs, Hoover family days, seasonal rentals, and family programs.

What We Offer:
*Competitive salary commensurate with experience.
*Comprehensive benefits package including health coverage, retirement plan, and paid time off.
*Complimentary JCC membership.
*Professional development opportunities, including conferences and training through the camp and Jewish communal network.
*A collaborative leadership team and a community that deeply values its camp professionals.

In addition to this salary, all jewish identifying staff are eligible for a $4500 undergrad or graduate program

Position Summary
The Village (Unit) Supervisor is primarily responsible for supervising and mentoring a group of staff as well as ensuring the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual health, safety and well-being of all campers in their assigned unit. The Supervisor is fully involved in all aspects of the campers’ day including village programming, group management, community experience, and scheduling for campers and staff. The Village Supervisor will work in tandem with the Community Care Manager and broader summer leadership team at camp to ensure the positive resolution for any and all camper, staff, and parent issues that may arise. This position requires a person with a variety of skills and abilities to transition from one situation to another, quickly and intuitively, while also showing compassion and empathy for campers and staff. It is essential that the Supervisor is compassionate and patient, and should have significant experience working with children.

• Villages (Units): 6-7th Grade, 10th Grade

Responsibilities
• Serve as a positive role model in the camp community and represent camp values
• Participate in required supervisor and staff training prior to camp
• Foster an atmosphere of positivity, collaboration, support and inclusivity where learning is hands-on and fun
• Responsible for the health, safety, and well-being of all campers in the village
• Communicate and collaborate with camp social worker, Health Center manager, and supervisory team to ensure campers’ and staff success
• Exude positive presence and leadership in the village and across camp through communicating daily with staff, building strong village culture through traditions, rituals, and special events; overseeing the timeliness of village; managing the placement of campers in electives; and, being present
• Create strong relationships with campers, staff, and parents to support positive outcomes for any and all camper or staff issues that may arise
• Oversee development and execution of cabin and village-wide programming; collaborate with village programmers to create schedule, manage group dynamics, and support the staff in seeing programs through from inception to completion
• Manage team of village staff and facilitate weekly meetings that encourage strong communication, teamwork, creativity, and high staff morale
• Provide staff with timely feedback and support as well as conduct performance evaluations to support their growth and success
• Manage camper behaviors using positive behavior management techniques, enforce appropriate safety policies, emergency procedures, and camp rules
• Supervise, contribute to, and lead village and all-camp activities such as evening programs and all-camp events
• Be an active, engaged, and punctual leader across camp
• Create an end-of-summer report and binder that includes an overview of village experience, logistics, scheduling, traditions, rituals, and programming, as well as recommendations for future enhancements for Community Care Manager
• Perform other related duties as assigned by Camp Director