Director of Camp Wise

Jewish Community Center Works; Beachwood (OH); On-site; USD 135,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

The Mandel Jewish Community Center of Cleveland seeks a Director of Camp Wise to lead the program’s long‑term vision, culture, and growth, with year‑round leadership in Beachwood and seasonal on‑site responsibility in Chardon.

You will oversee camp operations, safety, ACA compliance, and staff development; drive enrollment, staff recruitment, and retention; partner with philanthropy, and advance the Historic Campus Transformation while strengthening community ties to Jewish identity.

Qualifications

• Experience leading youth programs or camps with strategic growth.
• Strong communication and relationship-building with stakeholders.
• Proven ability to develop teams and manage complex operations.
• Commitment to safety, accreditation standards, and program quality.
• Ability to balance donors, staff, campers, and community partners.

Responsibilities

• Lead the long-term vision, strategy, culture, and growth of Camp Wise.
• Oversee overall camp operations, safety, and performance.
• Recruit, supervise, develop, and inspire leadership staff.
• Lead annual budgeting and business planning.
• Partner with Mandel JCC Philanthropy Team to support donor engagement.

Skills

Leadership

Visionary

Team Building

Communication

Accountability

Job description

Director of Camp Wise
Mandel Jewish Community Center of Cleveland
26001 S Woodland Rd
Beachwood, OH 44122

Position Summary

For more than a century, Camp Wise has helped young people build confidence, leadership skills, lifelong friendships, and meaningful connections to Jewish identity, community, and leadership. Founded in 1907, Camp Wise is one of the Mandel JCC's flagship programs and most significant community assets. Located on a 250-acre property in Chardon, Ohio, approximately 40 minutes from Cleveland, Camp Wise combines a vibrant camp community with preserved forests, trails, streams, and outdoor adventure spaces.

As Camp Wise approaches its landmark 120th Summer in 2027, the organization is undertaking a Historic Campus Transformation that includes brand-new camper cabins, a new 650-seat dining hall, recreation and arts facilities, a newly developed staff village designed to recruit, support, and retain adult and senior staff members, and a soon-to-be-constructed Director's House. Camp Wise's impact extends far beyond the summer months through its connection to the Mandel Jewish Community Center of Cleveland, one of Northeast Ohio's leading nonprofit community organizations. Through this partnership, Camp Wise advances a broader mission of building community, fostering personal growth, and creating meaningful experiences across generations.

The Director is responsible for the overall leadership, momentum, management, and performance of Camp Wise. The Director reports directly to the President & CEO and works closely with the Camp Wise Committee, Mandel JCC senior leadership team, and Mandel JCC Board of Directors. Year-round operations are based at the Mandel JCC in Beachwood, Ohio, with on-site residence and leadership in Chardon, Ohio during the summer season.

Core Leadership Responsibilities

• Leadthe long-term vision, strategy, culture, and growth of Camp Wise.
• Partnerwith JCC leadership and project teams to contribute programmatic vision andoperational insight toward the Historic Campus Transformation
• Driveenrollment growth, retention, and long-term sustainability.

2.Operations & Program Excellence

• Overseeoverall camp operations, safety, and performance.
• Leadintegration of newly developing facilities into seasonal programming.
• EnsureACA standards, risk management, safety, and security compliance.
• Fostera culture of program innovation and operational excellence.

3.Leadership, Culture & Talent Development

• Recruit,supervise, develop, and inspire leadership staff.
• PositionCamp Wise as a premier employer for summer counselors and leadership staff.
• Strengthenyear-round and seasonal staff recruitment and retention strategies.
• Promoteaccountability, growth, and service excellence.
• Leadannual budgeting and business planning.
• Partnerwith the Mandel JCC Philanthropy Team.
• Supportdonor engagement and stewardship.

5. CommunityEngagement, Alumni Relations & Jewish Identity

• Serveas a visible leader within Camp Wise and the broader Jewish community.
• Strengthenrelationships with campers, families, alumni, donors, and partners.
• Supportalumni engagement and lifelong Camp Wise connections.
• Foster meaningfulconnections to Jewish identity, values and community.
• Serveas a year-round ambassador for Camp Wise.

Immediate Priorities (Years 1-2)

• Campus Modernization & Integration
• Leverage Existing Culture
• Enrollment & Brand Growth

Measures of Success

• Successful integration of historic camps transformation.
• Enrollment and retention growth
• Strong staff recruitment and retention outcomesEffective financial stewardship

Minimum Qualifications:

Leadership Profile

• PositiveEnergy to Campers and Staff
• Abilityto Drive Vision and Purpose
• ExperienceBuilding Effective Teams
• EffectiveCommunication
• Accountability
• Abilityto Instill Trust
• ExperienceBalancing Stakeholders
• DecisionQuality

Desired Experience

• Leadershipexperience in overnight camping, youth development, education, recreation,nonprofit leadership, or related fields
• Deepfamiliarity with ACA accreditation standards and overnight camping bestpractices
• Passionfor developing young people and building Jewish community
• Successleading teams and managing complex operations
• Strongfinancial and organizational management skills
• Exceptionalcommunication and relationship-building abilities
• Experiencenavigating periods of growth, change, or organizational transformation

Work Location & Arrangements

• Year-RoundOffice: Mandel Jewish Community Center (Beachwood, Ohio).
• SummerResidence: On-site living provided at Camp Wise (Chardon, Ohio) during thesummer.

$135,000 - $150,000

Agency Information:

The MandelJCC's Beachwood campus is home to fitness and aquatics facilities, an EarlyChildhood Center, arts and cultural programming, Jewish life initiatives, adultengagement opportunities, and the agency's popular J-Day Camps. Joining theMandel JCC means becoming part of a collaborative, mission-driven organizationdedicated to connection, enrichment, wellness, and lifelong communityengagement.