What are the responsibilities and job description for the Associate Director, Think Academy Auxiliary Programs position at Albuquerque Academy?
Summary
The Associate Director of Think Academy Auxiliary Programs (TAAP) at Albuquerque Academy, a national leader in independent education, provides primary, year-round strategic planning, coordination, and oversight of the Academy’s robust summer program. This is a 12-month, exempt position that reports and serves as a vital and trusted thought leader and advisor to the TAAP director. Under the supervision of the TAAP director, the associate director supervises the day-to-day business operations and management of Think Summer. Additionally, the associate director works with the TAAP director to plan, staff, and execute year-round enrichment and sports programming for students from schools across Albuquerque.
The TAAP associate director works collaboratively and liaises with other Albuquerque Academy departments. The associate director builds knowledge through cross-training to gain a thorough understanding of Think Summer operations, policies, and procedures. The associate director ensures the delivery of exceptional customer service to families and prospective families and builds positive relationships with the broader Albuquerque Academy community. The associate director thinks critically, relationally, and strategically when meeting Think Summer goals and objectives, both near- and long-term, carefully considering the impacts on interconnected associate threads, stakeholders, and school partners when making decisions and recommendations. Strong candidates are attracted to our mission and see themselves as engaged community members.
The Academy’s mission is one of excellence, opportunity, caring, and inclusion. Our diverse and open-hearted student body is one of the strongest in the nation, comprising more than 1,150 students in grades 6-12, with 56% identifying as students of color. Our broad financial parameters include an annual budget of more than $35 million, an endowment of /-$85 million, and a campus of 312 acres surrounding a tree-lined brick path that has come to symbolize the arc of a student’s school life at the Academy. From our culturally diverse home in the Southwest, under blue skies between the Rio Grande and the Sandia Mountains, we send graduates to colleges throughout the country and then watch them lead lives of meaning in New Mexico and beyond.
All employees at Albuquerque Academy approach their work in accordance with the values in our mission and in a spirit of kindness, professionalism, generosity, and civility to all members of the community. Our community norms, listed below, underlie our school culture, and all community members are expected to commit themselves fully to them.
- Value and respect the diverse contributions of each person in the community.
- Assume positive intent and inquire if you are left with questions or concerns.
- Engage in face-to-face direct conversations; be clear, open, and honest in your conversations.
- Be present and participate.
Albuquerque Academy seeks to maintain a diverse and energetic staff to work on campus. We encourage applications from groups traditionally underrepresented in independent school communities.
Essential Functions
- Manages TAAP year-round administrative team, including the auxiliary program coordinators, with some oversight of the human resources coordinator - who reports directly to the director of human resources.
- Works with TAAP team to deliver exceptional customer service and with TAAP director to elevate, address, and resolve parent complaints or concerns.
- Provides oversight and coordination of Think Summer program activities, including, but not limited to, project deadlines, strategic planning, development of policy/procedure, budgeting, recruiting and hiring, orienting and training, and program evaluation.
- Makes data-driven decisions on Think Summer programming that are based on factors, including but not limited to market demand, capacity, confluence with the Academy curriculum, and net profitability, all with the intent of building a pipeline of future Chargers.
- Oversees the recruitment and hiring of Think Summer faculty/staff and student employees annually, leveraging relationships within local public and private schools to connect with exceptional elementary and middle-school educators.
- Consult with auxiliary program directors and TAAP coordinators as they conduct program design and development activities to ensure the delivery of extraordinary classes and programs to youth and adult learners.
- Works with the Academy’s director of diversity, culture, and belonging and the director of admission to plan and coordinate the administration of the Vincent Cordova Summer Scholars Program.
- Monitors and reports the progress of the summer faculty/staff recruitment, enrollment, and programmatic efforts to the Academy’s leadership team, advising summer course corrections as needed.
- Manages the negotiation of contracts and the scope/timelines of work by TAAP coordinators to ensure that marketing projects are completed within budget and by deadlines.
- Coordinates with TAAP staff, Think Summer personnel and the summer administrative team to collect, organize, and disseminate master schedules and plans for staffing, substitutes, class lists, attendance, and facilities assignments.
- Works with the Academy's business office to oversee accounting and budgeting functions for the Think Summer program, including purchasing, payables, and receivables. Models and monitors revenue and expenses, and reports on all financial matters.
- Works with outside vendors to provide services for events and enhance on- and off-campus programming.
- Anticipates and researches summer and auxiliary program best practices with respect to market trends to capitalize on opportunities and reduce institutional risk.
- Actively participates in and represents the Academy within the Summer Programs and Auxiliary Revenue Collaborative (SPARC) organization and other regional and national organizations.
Additional Responsibilities
- Participates in school-related events (e.g., admission open houses and workshops, etc.) and attends school-wide meetings as needed; serves as an interdepartmental liaison, fostering cultures of collaboration, collegiality, and enthusiasm within cross-functional teams.
- Demonstrates cultural competence; communicates and collaborates effectively. Fosters and maintains a culture of mutual respect, equitable practice, and joy.
- Represents Think Summer and TAAP among diverse internal and external constituent groups, articulating the program's mission and values.
- Supports the school and its mission, always maintaining a high degree of professionalism.
- Works Think Summer and TAAP events and other after-hours meetings and events as directed by the director of auxiliary programs.
- Performs other duties as assigned by the director of auxiliary programs, director of external relations, and the head of school.
Job Qualifications
Education and Experience
- A bachelor’s degree is required, preferably in a business- or education-related field. Coursework and/or experience in management and business operations is preferred.
- Previous experience with supervising personnel in a team environment and/or program management including planning, oversight, and successful delivery of program services within budget and on deadline is preferred.
- Previous experience with curriculum design/development and instructional support in an educational setting is preferred.
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities
- Excellent leadership, administrative, and organizational skills.
- High attention to detail and ability to manage multiple projects to deliver timely and high-quality work products.
- Strong oral and written communication skills, with an ability to relate to a wide range of people at every level of the school and within the broader community.
- High degree of professionalism, flexibility, and adaptability.
- Collaborative spirit and positive attitude.
- Passion for providing educational enrichment and youth development opportunities to K-12 children.
- De-escalation and interpersonal conflict resolution skills.
- Solutions-focused problem identifier and solver. High intellectual curiosity, love of learning, and creative approach to problem-solving.
- Highly responsive to changing priorities and managing multiple tasks in a high-volume environment with competing demands.
- Exercises good judgment and uses discretion when handling sensitive information and confidential issues.
- Strong working knowledge of budgeting and accounting.
- Highly proficient PC/Mac computer skills with fluency in Microsoft Office and Google applications. Management-information systems database experience preferred. Willing and able to learn and implement technologies quickly.
Special Requirements
- A valid driver’s license is required.
- Must be legally authorized to work in the United States.
Working Environment
- Most of the work is performed in an indoor office setting in the campus natatorium, with significant outdoor work during hours of program operation and events.
- Work hours are generally from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, with additional hours during peak periods, especially during the six weeks of the summer program.
- Available to work some evenings and weekends throughout the year, especially during summer and after-hours programming and other school events.
Physical Demands
- Ability to lift and carry up to 25 pounds with or without assistance.
- Ability to transport supplies for program/event set-up and take-down.
- Walking and climbing stairs are necessary to navigate the campus.
- Driving a school golf cart or school vehicle around the campus may be required.
- Sitting at a desk, working on the computer, and responding to phone calls.
EEO/ADA Compliance
Albuquerque Academy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Academy will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourage both prospective employees and incumbents to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.
