Director of Programming

Herzl Camp Assn; Golden Valley (MN); On-site; USD 80,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous PTO

Health Insurance Coverage

Retirement plan with employer match

Complimentary childcare during camp季

Collaborative work environment

Job summary

Herzl Camp Assn in Minneapolis, MN seeks a Director of Programming to lead the design, development, and delivery of all programming. The role blends big-picture creativity with hands-on execution, driving camp-wide events and specialty activities from concept to completion.

The Director of Programming reports to the Director of Camp & Culture and leads year-round staff, with a focus on curriculum and staff development to create a transformative summer experience for campers and families.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of leadership experience in residential camping or youth work.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Experience designing and running group programming for children and teens.
• Experience supervising staff in credentialed programs.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to execute large events.
• Passion for Jewish camping and Zionism.

Responsibilities

• Design engaging summer programs and activities reflecting camper interests and Herzl's mission.
• Create a curriculum framework for each specialty area and measure effectiveness.
• Help recruit and hire summer staff, including international staff.
• Coordinate with external consultants and vendors for program areas.
• Plan year-round program design and budgeting for safety and quality.
• Represent camp at recruitment events and trainings, building community relations.
• During camp season, supervise specialty-area staff and oversee camp-wide events.
• Assign campers to activities and manage cabin programming to maximize participation.

Skills

Leadership

Program design

Staff supervision

Event planning

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree preferred

Job description

Position Summary

The Director of Programming leads the design, development, and delivery of Herzl Camp’s programming. As a member of the year-round professional team, this role is the creative and operational force behind specialty areas, activities, and programs that define a summer at Herzl. This role blends big-picture creativity with hands-on execution: it requires someone who can dream up a camp-wide special event, then communicate that vision clearly and execute it effectively from start to finish.

• Reports To - Director of Camp & Culture
• Team - Year-round professional staff; summer leadership team
• Direct Reports - Specialty-area staff

Major Responsibilities

Off-Season

• Design engaging, high-quality summer programs and activities that reflect camper interests, teach new skills, and align with Herzl's mission, while strengthening existing offerings and building new options that keep the program fresh and distinctive.
• Create standards of excellence and a working “curriculum” for each specialty area, along with methods to evaluate whether each area is meeting those standards.
• Participate in recruiting, interviewing and hiring summer staff, including international staff.
• Recruit and manage relationships with outside consultants and vendors who bring specialized expertise to program areas.
• Actively participate in year-round planning, including off-season program design, budgeting for program areas, and preparation for staff and camper arrival.
• Build strong relationships with campers, parents, and staff, and represent camp professionally at recruitment events, staff trainings and community gatherings.

Camp Season

• Provide hands-on supervision, coaching, and ongoing evaluation of specialty-area staff throughout the summer, including regular check-ins and real-time feedback. Verify and maintain required certifications (e.g., aquatics, ropes course).
• Execute special-event days and camp-wide experiences, and oversee out-of-camp trips, including logistics, transportation, staffing, risk management, and communication with staff .
• Manage the process for assigning campers to activities and schedule cabin specialty programming, driving strong utilization and participation across specialty areas.
• Serve as a visible, engaged member of the camp leadership team. Partner with the Director of Camp & Culture and fellow senior staff on daily operational decisions. Contribute to summer staff training and team culture building alongside the rest of the leadership team.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of relevant leadership experience in residential camping field or related youth work.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Demonstrated experience designing and running group programming for children and teens.
• Prior experience supervising and evaluating staff, including in specialized or credentialed program areas.
• Strong organizational skills - equally comfortable dreaming up a big event and executing it exceptionally.
• Passion for Jewish camping and connection to Jewish values and Zionism.

Position Specifics

• Full-time, year-round position based in Minneapolis, MN, with required residence at camp in Webster, WI for the summer season.
• Some evening, weekend, and travel commitments during the off-season for recruitment, training, and planning.
• Work extended and irregular hours during the camp season, including evenings and weekends, consistent with the standard responsibilities of residential camp leadership.
• Compensation: $80,000–$90,000 annually, commensurate with experience
• Generous, flexible PTO
• Health Insurance Coverage (medical/dental)
• Retirement plan with employer match upon eligibility
• Complimentary childcare/camp tuition during the camp season
• A collaborative and fun work environment

Our Mission & Values

Mission

Herzl Camp is a welcoming, independent camp where young people become self-reliant, create lasting Jewish friendships, and develop a commitment and love for Judaism and Israel. Herzl Camp creates a vibrant Jewish community of Jewish leaders.

Core Values

• Community — We make connections and nurture our Herzl family.
• Pluralism — We are pluralistic in our Judaism; we embrace the people, the land, the State, and the story of Israel.
• Leadership — We provide tools, training, and the opportunity to lead, transforming campers and staff into tomorrow's passionate Jewish leaders.
• Inclusion — We celebrate individuality and inclusion, encouraging everyone to be part of something bigger than themselves.
• Belonging — We embrace ongoing and inter-generational shared experiences, from the ridiculous to the sublime, to foster lasting friendships, build identity and community, and create a sense of belonging throughout our lives.