Director, Day Camps

**Title**: Director, Day Camps

**Position Status**: Full Time Permanent

**Salary**: $50,000 - $65,000 per year

**Start Date**:January 9, 2025

**Location**: Halifax and Dartmouth

The YMCA is a place where everyone belongs, we are committed to providing equal opportunities for all, in a welcoming space that is both nurturing and fun - a community of shared responsibilities, where children and families can thrive.

There are lots of places to work, but few opportunities to do work that really matters, and the Y is one of those rare places. When you join our team, you don’t just get a job - you’ll embark on an exciting path of career development. You will be part of a team that provides children, youth, and adults of all ages reach feel a sense of belonging to their community.

**The Opportunity**

The YMCA is committed to fostering the inclusive development of children—nurturing their spirit, mind, and body—to cultivate vibrant and healthy communities.

Reporting to the General Manager of Child Engagement and Operations, the Director of Day Camps will create positive and inclusive camp experiences throughout the year, including management of day camps (summer, holiday, March break, and professional development days). The Director will lead a committed team of 40+ staff in providing memorable experiences for over 3,000 campers, fostering lifelong memories while strategically expanding camp offerings within HRM. In addition, the Director will work in collaboration with the YMCA’s Before and After School (YPHD) Program Manager to uphold consistent, high-quality program standards, focusing on child and staff development, curriculum planning, and leadership strategies for both service areas.

**Responsibilities**

Program Development, Organization and Implementation:

- Plans, leads, organizes and develops all camp programming, including but not limited to Summer Day Camps, PD Days, and Holiday Camps.
- Ensures sound management of operational activities related to the administration of Summer Day Camp, PD Days and Holiday Camps.
- Develops quality programming that embeds the YMCA of Greater Halifax/Dartmouth’s purpose, vision and values, while authentically creating an environment of diversity, inclusion and equity.
- Ensures compliance and enforcement, in accordance with policies and procedures related to operational activities, payroll processing, contract management and employee records.
- Manages the budget (revenue, expenses) while targeting revenue growth.
- Prepares and purchases camp related materials and resources.
- Oversees camper experience and ensures high-quality customer service is provided to all stakeholders involved (campers, partners, donors, etc.).
- Ensures the collection, consolidation and dissemination of all comments, suggestions and complaints to the relevant stakeholders. Monitors, processes and follows up on case resolutions.
- Update documentation, including but not limited to the parent handbook, medical forms, sign in and out forms, off site trips and preparation lists.
- Secure site rentals based on locations of need, capacity and accessibility, completion of rental agreements, rental keys, invoices, cell phones and insurance.
- Implement engagement opportunities for children and youth to foster interest and exposure to physical activity, outdoor exploration, cooperative play, and community relationships.
- Create participant experience surveys, ensure they are distributed and that campers and their families are encouraged to complete them, and use the results to improve the overall camp experience.

Marketing, Sales and Program Growth:

- In collaboration with the YMCA’s marketing and communications team, plans and implements the marketing plan for all camp programs and brand development.
- Develops communication materials including community outreach, marketing, advertising, promoting, and communicating in collaboration with the Communications Team.
- Stays informed of the needs of current and potential clients, as well as the surrounding community.
- Supports the General Manager with the expansion of camp programming throughout HRM.

Staffing:

- Recruits, hires, trains and supervises staff following YMCA onboarding processes; work in collaboration with the People & Culture team on creation of job advertisements, postings, descriptions and offer letters.
- Coaches and supervises all direct reports and assesses team members performance.
- Addresses conflict and resolution, implements resources and action plans and carries out the necessary follow-ups. Takes appropriate action in consultation with the General Manager and/or People and Culture team as appropriate.
- Plans and organizes employee recognition events.
- Approve staff biweekly pay and time off requests.
- Other duties as required.

**Qualifications & Skills**
- Bachelor’s degree in recreation (community or outdoor), education, or other relevant training is recommended
- Leadership experience in a camp