Program Director

YMCA of the USA; Elmdale (KS); On-site; USD 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Camp Wood YMCA in Kansas is seeking an energetic Program Director to lead summer camp programs, year-round group experiences, and on-site operations.

The role requires supervising seasonal staff, ensuring safety, fostering a strong camper experience, and coordinating with the COO and other departments. The position lives on site with flexible evenings, weekends, and extended summer hours.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience developing, implementing, and evaluating youth/adult programs.
• Experience recruiting, training, supervising, and supporting staff.
• Strong written, verbal, interpersonal, organizational, and customer-service skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and adapt to changing needs.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating across departments.
• Understanding of scheduling, budgeting, purchasing, expense management, and recordkeeping.
• Ability to work with diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to work evenings, weekends, holidays, and extended hours during peak periods.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to meet driving requirements.
• Willingness to reside on site.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning, implementation, supervision, and evaluation of summer camp programs.
• Recruit, interview, hire, train, schedule, supervise, coach, and evaluate seasonal staff.
• Foster a positive staff culture based on YMCA values: Caring, Honesty, Respect, Responsibility.
• Ensure programs are safe, engaging, age-appropriate, and participant-centered.
• Serve as primary host for group rentals, retreats, and partner groups.
• Coordinate schedules, facilities, meals, lodging, and safety for guests.
• Welcome and orient group leaders; address questions and emergencies during stays.
• Collaborate with COO on programming and operational projects.
• Coordinate with other departments to support program operations.
• Ensure compliance with YMCA standards and safety policies.
• Develop and manage program budgets; monitor revenue and expenses.
• Oversee equipment and supplies; manage inventory and replacement planning.
• Monitor enrollment, satisfaction, staff performance, and outcomes.
• Create welcoming culture where campers, families, and partners feel a sense of belonging.
• Provide director-on-duty coverage during peak periods.
• Represent Camp Wood YMCA in the community and maintain relationships.
• Perform other duties as directed by the COO.

Skills

Program development

Staff recruitment and training

Staff coaching and support

Communication and customer service

multitasking and deadlines

Independent collaboration

Budgeting and purchasing

Diversity and inclusion

Evening/weekend/on-call availability

Driver’s license and driving

On-site residency

Lifeguarding (preferred)

Job description

Camp Wood YMCA seeks an energetic, service-minded Program Director to create unforgettable summers and life-changing year-round experiences.

Job Description

Located in the Tallgrass Prairie of the Flint Hills near Elmdale, Kansas, Camp Wood YMCA is an overnight summer camp, environmental education center, retreat and rental venue, and gathering place for families, schools, partner organizations, and community groups.

The Program Director provides leadership for Camp Wood YMCA’s summer camp programs, including program planning and evaluation, seasonal staff recruitment and development, staff culture, participant safety, and the overall camper experience. Throughout the year, the Program Director also coordinates programming and serves as a primary host for group rentals, retreats, school groups, partner camps, and other guest experiences.

Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, the Program Director collaborates with year-round staff across camp departments to ensure programs and group experiences are implemented safely, effectively, and consistently. This position lives on site and requires a flexible schedule that includes evenings, weekends, on-call coverage, and extended hours during summer camp.

Qualifications

Required Qualification

• Demonstrated experience developing, implementing, and evaluating programs for youth and adults.
• Experience recruiting, training, supervising, and supporting staff.
• Strong written, verbal, interpersonal, organizational, and customer-service skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, solve problems, and adapt to changing needs.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively across departments.
• Understanding of administrative practices, including scheduling, budgeting, purchasing, expense management, and recordkeeping.
• Ability to work respectfully and effectively with people from diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to work evenings, weekends, holidays, on-call rotations, and extended hours during seasonal peak periods.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to meet Camp Wood YMCA driving requirements.
• Willingness and ability to reside on site.

Preferred Qualifications

• At least two years of supervisory experience in camping, recreation, youth development, hospitality, retreat services, environmental education, or a related field.
• Previous experience with overnight camp, group hosting, retreat or conference services, or outdoor and environmental education.
• Lifeguarding certification or the ability to obtain certification.

Experience & Background

The successful candidate is a collaborative leader who demonstrates a positive, “Can-do” attitude and thrives in a fast-paced environment. This individual must possess exceptional organizational skills, attention to detail, flexibility, and the ability to lead teams while maintaining a strong focus on member experience.

Essential Functions

• Lead the planning, implementation, supervision, and evaluation of Camp Wood YMCA summer camp programs and program areas.
• Recruit, interview, hire, train, schedule, supervise, coach, and evaluate seasonal program staff.
• Build a positive staff culture grounded in service, accountability, teamwork, belonging, and the YMCA values of Caring, Honesty, Respect, and Responsibility.
• Ensure summer camp programs are safe, engaging, age-appropriate, participant-centered, and aligned with Camp Wood YMCA’s mission and desired outcomes.
• Serve as a primary host and on-site point of contact for group rentals, retreats, partner groups, school groups, and other year-round guest experiences.
• Coordinate group schedules, activities, facilities, meals, lodging, equipment, accessibility needs, safety considerations, and other experience details with the COO and appropriate camp departments.
• Welcome and orient group leaders and participants and remain accessible throughout their stay to address questions, changes, concerns, emergencies, and service needs.
• Collaborate closely with the COO on programming and operational projects related to summer camp, family and partner camps, retreats, environmental education, group rentals, and other year-round experiences.
• Coordinate with food service, maintenance, housekeeping, retreat services, administration, and other departments to support effective program and group operations.
• Ensure compliance with YMCA standards, American Camp Association standards, applicable regulations, and Camp Wood YMCA safety and risk-management policies.
• Develop and manage assigned program budgets, monitor revenue and expenses, maintain accurate records, and make responsible purchasing decisions.
• Oversee program equipment and supplies, including inventory, organization, inspection, maintenance coordination, and replacement planning.
• Monitor enrollment, retention, participant satisfaction, staff performance, program evaluations, and other outcomes to strengthen program quality and impact.
• Establish a welcoming culture in which campers, staff, families, guests, volunteers, and partners experience a genuine sense of belonging.
• Provide assigned director‑on‑duty, host, and leadership coverage during summer camp, family camps, partner programs, group stays, and special events.
• Represent Camp Wood YMCA professionally within the community and maintain positive relationships with families, schools, partners, and professional organizations.
• Perform other duties and special assignments as directed by the COO in support of Camp Wood YMCA’s mission and priorities.

Cause-Driven Leadership Competencies

Mission Advancement: Models the YMCA’s mission and values and ensures that programs and guest experiences create meaningful impact.

Collaboration: Builds effective relationships and works across departments to achieve shared goals.

Communication and Influence: Communicates clearly and professionally with campers, families, staff, guests, partners, and community members.

Program and Project Management: Develops plans, manages priorities and resources, and ensures that programs and projects achieve their intended outcomes.

Developing Self and Others: Recruits, trains, coaches, supports, and holds staff accountable while continuing to strengthen personal leadership skills.

Critical Thinking and Decision Making: Uses sound judgment, available information, and Camp Wood YMCA policies to make timely and responsible decisions.

Fiscal Management: Develops and manages budgets and uses organizational resources responsibly to support quality, sustainability, and mission impact.

Inclusion: Creates welcoming environments in which campers, staff, families, guests, and partners feel respected, supported, and that they belong.

Required Certifications

• CPR certification, required or obtained upon employment.
• First Aid certification, required or obtained upon employment.
• Bloodborne Pathogens training, required or completed upon employment.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to meet Camp Wood YMCA driving requirements.
• Completion of all required YMCA safety, child-abuse-prevention, and employee training.

Lifeguarding / Lifeguard Instructor certification (or ability to obtain) is preferred.