Director of Day Camp & Youth Sports

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Director of Day Camp and Youth Sports is instrumental in advancing the YMCA’s mission to strengthen community through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. This role’s primary responsibility is to lead, grow, and manage the branch’s largest Summer Day Camp, ensuring exceptional program development, quality, safety, and an outstanding participant experience. Additionally, the Director oversees the Youth Sports Department, with a direct focus on Pre-K and elementary school programs, and supervises the basketball program operations. Key duties include planning and developing engaging camp programs, youth sports classes, recruiting and training staff and volunteers, implementing risk management practices, managing budgets, supporting the Assistant Director as needed, and handling all administrative tasks. By working collaboratively across departments, the Director evaluates program effectiveness, fosters staff development, and upholds the YMCA’s core values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility, while supporting the Association’s overall goals

Requirements

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

· Lead and manage the branch’s largest summer day camp, including planning, organizing, and overseeing daily operations to ensure safety, program quality, and a positive camp culture. Maintain direct, on-site supervision throughout the camp day.

· Design and implement engaging camp activities that promote youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility, adapting programs to meet diverse needs.

· Recruit, train, supervise, and support staff and volunteers, fostering a high-performing and motivated team.

· Ensure compliance with YMCA policies, state regulations, and risk management practices, including child protection and emergency procedures.

· Manage camp scheduling and parent communication, fostering strong relationships and resolving concerns promptly.

· Oversee youth sports programming (school year), with a focus on Pre-K and elementary-level activities, ensuring alignment with YMCA standards and creating fun, skill-building experiences.

· Provide leadership to Basketball Operations Leadership Team, ensuring program integration and consistency across youth sports offerings.

· Build and maintain strong relationships with parents, staff, community partners, and other departments to enhance programming and maximize resources.

· Continuously seek opportunities to improve programs and participant satisfaction through feedback and innovation.

· Model relationship-building skills in all interactions; maintain collaborative relationships with staff, parents, caregivers, and community organizations (e.g., licensing agencies, schools) to maximize program impact.

· Participate in YMCA activities, including committees, special events, and fundraising initiatives.

· Perform other duties as assigned to support the success of youth programs and the YMCA mission.

LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES:

Mission Advancement: Models and teaches the Ys values. Ensures a high level of service with a commitment to changing lives. Provides volunteers with orientation, training, development, and recognition. Cultivates relationships to support fund-raising. Collaboration: Champions inclusion activities, strategies, and initiatives. Builds relationships to create small communities. Empathetically listens and communicates for understanding when negotiating and dealing with conflict. Effectively tailors’ communications to the appropriate audience. Provides staff with feedback, coaching, guidance and support. Operational Effectiveness: Provides others with frameworks for making decisions. Conducts prototypes to support the launching of programs and activities. Develops plans and manages best practices through engagement of team. Effectively creates and manages budgets. Holds staff accountable for high-quality results using a formal process to measure progress. Personal Growth: Shares new insights. Facilitates change; models’ adaptability and an awareness of the impact of change. Utilizes non-threatening methods to address sensitive issues and inappropriate behavior or performance. Has the functional and technical knowledge and skills required to perform well; uses best practices and demonstrates up-to-date knowledge and skills in technology.

QUALIFICATIONS:

· Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education, Sport Management, Human Services, Social Services, Recreation, Business, or a related field (preferred).

· Minimum of 3 years of Leadership experience in Summer Day Camp (Program Coordinator level or higher).

· 5 years of experience hands on experience in implementing camp and/or other relevant youth programs

· Involvement in camp community networks (preferred).

· Ability to oversee multi-site programs, including staff supervision, public relations, program development, and fundraising.

· Excellent financial management skills, including budget preparation and project oversight.

· Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.

· Strong time management and organizational abilities.

· Knowledge of quality program development and activity coordination.

· Ability to establish and maintain collaborative relationships with community organizations.

· Completion of YMCA Team Leader certification within 3 years of hire.

· Ability to relate effectively to diverse groups of people across all social and economic backgrounds.

WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

· The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

· The employee needs sufficient strength, agility and mobility to perform essential functions and to safely supervise program activities in a variety of indoor and outdoor locations.

· While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use a computer for extended periods of time and be able to communicate using a computer and phone/smart device.

· The employee frequently is required to sit and reach, and must be able to move around the work environment.

· The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.

· Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust.

· The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.