The Senior Director of Camping provides year-round leadership for the people, culture, camper experience, and daily operations of YMCA Camp Immokalee. Reporting to the Associate Vice President of Overnight Camp Services, this leader owns campers, staff, and camp operations and is responsible for creating an environment where campers thrive, families place their trust in the Y, staff grow as leaders, and people choose to return year after year.
The Senior Director leads and develops the camp operating team, including the Program Director, Camp Experience & Events, and other assigned year-round and seasonal leaders. This position establishes clear expectations, strengthens accountability, and creates alignment across overnight camp, day camp, programs and experiences, seasonal camps, and other assigned operations. The Senior Director maintains overall accountability for the quality and consistency of the camper experience while empowering leaders to effectively own and lead their respective areas of responsibility.
Working collaboratively with property, food service, hospitality, and Association leaders, the Senior Director connects the people and functions of Camp Immokalee into one cohesive experience for campers, families, and staff. This leader translates organizational strategy into strong daily execution while advancing a culture grounded in caring, honesty, respect, responsibility, belonging, safety, and continuous improvement.
Success in this role is reflected in safe and meaningful camper experiences, confident and satisfied families, strong enrollment and retention, capable and accountable leaders, engaged staff, effective camp operations, and a Camp Immokalee community that grows stronger year after year.
- Minimum three years of progressively responsible overnight camp leadership experience, including staff supervision and camp operations; five or more years preferred.
- Bachelor’s degree in recreation, education, youth development, nonprofit leadership, business, or related field preferred; equivalent relevant education and experience may be considered.
- Demonstrated success recruiting, supervising, coaching, and developing year-round and seasonal staff, including leaders with supervisory responsibilities.
- Strong knowledge of overnight camp operations, camper care, youth development, safety, youth protection, and risk management.
- Demonstrated ability to lead through others, establish accountability, navigate difficult situations, and make sound decisions in a dynamic environment.
- Strong organizational, communication, relationship-building, and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to work evenings, weekends, holidays, and overnight periods as required by camp operations.
- On-site residency in YMCA-provided housing is required.
- Valid driver’s license, satisfactory Motor Vehicle Record, and eligibility to operate YMCA vehicles required.
- Successful completion of required background screening and YMCA youth protection requirements, including applicable Level 2 screening.
- CPR, First Aid, AED, and other required certifications, or ability to obtain them within the YMCA-established timeframe.
- YMCA Multi-Team or Organizational Leader certification preferred, or willingness to pursue applicable YMCA leadership development requirements.
- Provide year-round leadership and operational oversight for overnight camp, day camp, programs and experiences, seasonal camps, and other assigned operations.
- Supervise, coach, develop, and hold accountable the Program Director, Camp Experience & Events, and other assigned year-round and seasonal leaders.
- Maintain accountability for the quality and consistency of the camper experience while empowering leaders to effectively own their respective areas.
- Directly lead, coach, and develop assigned year-round and seasonal leaders, establishing clear expectations and accountability for performance, culture, safety, and camper experience.
- Build an inclusive, mission-driven staff culture with clear expectations, strong accountability, and opportunities for employees to grow and lead.
- Establish high standards for camper care, supervision, behavior support, engagement, and family experience.
- Champion safety and youth protection and ensure operations align with YMCA policies, emergency procedures, accreditation standards, and applicable requirements.
- Provide leadership during significant incidents and emergencies, including response, escalation, communication, documentation, and follow-up.
- Monitor enrollment, retention, camper and family satisfaction, staff experience, incidents, and other performance indicators to strengthen operations.
- Coordinate across program, property, food service, hospitality, and Association functions to deliver a cohesive camp experience.
- Drive continuous improvement by using feedback, data, and lessons learned to strengthen camp operations and experiences while honoring Camp Immokalee’s traditions and culture.
- Partner with the Associate Vice President to establish annual goals, priorities, performance measures, and operating expectations.
- Manage assigned budgets, staffing, supplies, equipment, and other resources with sound stewardship.
- Provide appropriate evening, weekend, and overnight leadership coverage based on operational needs.
- Support the YMCA Annual Campaign by engaging staff, families, alumni, and the Camp Immokalee community in the Y’s charitable mission and impact.
- Ensure all First Coast 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 the health and safety of all members/guests.
- Inspect physical space to ensure the safety, orderliness, sanitation, and cleanliness of facilities.
- Demonstrates compliance with YMCA Child Abuse Prevention and Abuse Risk Management policies.
Functional Expertise: Demonstrates strong knowledge of overnight camp operations, youth development, staff leadership, safety, and risk management.
Critical Thinking & Innovation: Uses data, feedback, and experience to solve problems, improve operations, and strengthen the camp experience.
Collaboration: Builds effective partnerships across teams and functions to achieve shared goals.
Quality Results: Establishes high standards and accountability for safety, staff performance, camper experience, and operational results.
Communication: Communicates clearly and effectively with campers, families, employees, volunteers, and organizational leaders.
Developing Self & Others: Coaches and develops leaders and creates opportunities for employees to contribute, grow, belong, and lead.