We are seeking a proven, self-motivated, cause-driven professional to join our executive operations team. Under the direction of the Sara Cole, the President and CEO of the Duluth Area Family YMCA, the Camp Miller Executive Director is responsible for the management, oversight and success of a multi-faceted summer camp, conference/retreat and group rentals operation. Key areas of responsibility include: building and maintaining a robust center advisory board, growing the center’s Annual Community Support Campaign, building community relations/partnerships, supervising the program directors, and ensuring effective communication and coordination between all YMCA programs, branches and Executives. The Executive Director collaboratively delivers high quality programs and services, while growing enrollment. The Executive Director will ensure all campers and guests receive high quality programs and services with first class amenities.
The Camp Executive Director is responsible for delivering quality character programs for children, families, and school/ conference groups. The incumbent ensures that facilities and equipment are maintained, and selects, trains, and manages a diverse and quality staff. The Camp Executive Director directs and implements a positive, progressive camp program both on and off-site with an eye toward growing the off-site adventure-based trips.
We are looking for a dynamic outdoor professional with significant experience in planning, leading, and supervising outdoor and environmentally focused programs. This Camp Executive position is located in Duluth during the September-May months (with some weekends at camp), and is onsite with camp during the summer months (Sturgeon Lake, MN). Housing is available year round at Camp Miller.
- Maintains responsibility for the safe and effective operations of all Camp Miller program, facility, and support areas.
- Ensures the highest standards when it comes to camp operation in every aspect of the camp operations (both internal and external).
- Directs a progressive camp program including on and off-site programs during the summer and a conference and retreat program during the fall, winter, spring.
- Plans, develops, and implements robust camping programs and leads innovation of new programs, activities, events and new business lines.
- Supervises full time and part time camp staff.
- Ensures that all supporting documentation and audits are completed to ensure safety and quality standards are met for a top class camp operation.
- Recruits, hires, trains, and supervises a seasonal staff of approximately 35 people.
- Develops, implements, and coordinates marketing efforts for recruitment and retention of campers.
- Develops and implements recruiting and retention strategies for a diverse seasonal work force.
- Develops innovative curriculum in the areas of leadership development, character development, and outdoor education.
- Serves as a participant and active member of the Duluth YMCA program and professional staff in a staff leadership role in annual fund-raising drive and other fund-raising activities.
- Supervises accurate and comprehensive records and files, including participant evaluations as well as full-time and part-time staff evaluations.
- Evaluates the camp’s programs continually, involving staff, group leaders, group participants, campers, parents, and facility. Advice administrative and maintenance staff as well as the Community Council of operational needs and challenges.
- Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending the American Camp Association (ACA) standards training at least once every 2 years.
- Leads ACA accreditation for the Camp Miller facility.
- Maintains current required certifications.
Board Development:
- Collaborate with 12 Advisory Council Members as well as multiple other volunteer committees to educate the community about the work of the YMCA and its mission.
- Engage, recruit, and develop key community leaders for the Advisory Board. Maintains contacts with political, business, and civic leaders, as well as community groups and schools to develop a solid volunteer structure.
- Represents and promotes the YMCA in the local community and develops positive working relationships with other organizations, businesses, and governmental entities. Develops and maintains collaborative relationships with community agencies in service delivery area.
Fiscal Management:
- Manages/provides oversight to the camp budget, managing to/within revenue and expense targets.
- Prepares the camp budget and updates revenue and expense forecasts as needed.
Safety:
- Responsible for the safe and effective operation of Camp Miller’s program, facility, and support areas.
- Schedules annual inspections of all structures as required by camping and/or regulatory requirements.
Membership & Program Quality/Growth:
- Achieves all established goals and objectives set forth in the Strategic Plan.
- Plans, develops and implements camper recruitment/ retention strategies, including any required communication for these purposes throughout the year.
- Ensures all Duluth Area Family YMCA standards and best practices are implemented and followed. Applies YMCA policies and procedures, including those related to best practices, emergency procedures, medical and disciplinary situations, and child abuse prevention.
- Ensures all staff are properly trained and prepared for emergency situations. This includes implementing and following training requirements in addition to ensuring proper reporting of all incidents/accidents according to risk management procedures.
- Ensures the safety and maintenance of high quality facilities, grounds, and equipment.
- Works with other current Y leaders to consistently implement program and ensure quality and best practices.
- Actively participates in the Executive Leadership team, as well as select program cabinet groups.
Team Leadership:
- Provides leadership to all camp staff to hire, develop, motivate, influence and retain a committed team passionate about the YMCA's mission, safety and service to members.
- Provides leadership to all center staff to create and maintain meaningful and impactful relationships with the members, program participants, volunteers and community leaders.
- Minimum of three years of experience in camp/ recreational business operations, growth and development, community involvement, relationship building, program/business line development, associate selection, supervision and development, and day-to-day enterprise management preferred.
- Two years of experience in facility management preferred.
- Progressive programming and management experience in an outdoor residential environment.
- Experience in the outdoors and as an overnight staff member for a minimum of three summers.
- Willing to live on-site in camp provided housing during program months.
- Demonstrated skills in supervision, organizational systems, camping program development, and financial management.
- Understands and is able to develop and implement curriculum.
- Demonstrated skills in customer service, large and small group communications, leadership, and group work with adults, teens, and children.
- Certifications: CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer or equivalent, and Basic First Aid (required). Training can be provided upon hiring, and must be obtained within 90 days. Higher levels of certification are accepted.
- Strong skills in fiscal management and financial development (including annual campaign, capital, and/or planned giving).
- Highly motivated with the consistent ability to meet or exceed goals, cultivate and retain members, volunteers, and program participants.
- Ability to quickly build rapport and develop effective relationships with members, volunteers, program prospects, and others to achieve goals.
- Consistently self-driven and goal-oriented with the ability to set effective team and individual goals and take ownership for results.
- Demonstrated ability to multi-task and adapt to changing contexts and priorities.
- Strong analytical and critical-thinking skills with the ability to identify and leverage relevant data to use in planning and decision-making.
- Ability to understand, adapt to, and interact with diverse people, teams, perspectives, and cultures.
- Proficient in using email, Internet, and other PC-based applications (e.g. Microsoft Office) with the ability to learn and adapt to new technology.
- This position requires a valid driver’s license and will require frequent local travel.