Program Director Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association

Evangelical Covenant Church; Neptune Township, Northern (NJ, KY); Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary range $80,000-$115,000 commens.

Paid vacation

Medical/dental/vision insurance

Job summary

Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association is seeking a Christ-centered Program Director to lead year-round ministry programming, including worship experiences, performing arts, guest experiences, and recreational opportunities at one of the country’s historic seaside communities.

The role reports to the COO and works with the Program Chair and Committee to ensure mission, values, and strategic direction are reflected in all programming while maintaining excellence and collaboration across generations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in theology or related field required; M.Div. preferred.
• Active growing relationship with Jesus Christ.
• Alignment with mission and Statement of Faith of OGCMA.
• Experience planning and evaluating programs within ministry/nonprofit/hospitality.
• Experience leading staff and volunteers.
• Strong organizational and project leadership.
• Excellent written and verbal communications.
• Ability to work with trustees, committees, staff, volunteers, artists.
• Knowledge of print, digital, social media platforms.
• Servant-hearted leadership.

Responsibilities

• Develop cohesive annual programming strategy aligned with mission, heritage, and priorities.
• Coordinate programming with the COO, Program Chair, Program Committee, staff and ministry leaders.
• Evaluate programs for missional alignment, quality, participation, sustainability, and effectiveness.
• Honor OG CMA traditions while strengthening and improving programming.
• Provide leadership for worship services and spiritual formation programs.
• Lead concerts and community arts events; oversee major traditions and events.
• Develop budgets and manage financial stewardship; coordinate external partnerships.
• Recruit, train, and equip volunteers and staff for worship, hospitality, recreation, music, and community programming.
• Foster communication across programming teams and cross-departmental coordination.

Skills

Staff leadership

Budget management

Program strategy

Public speaking

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in theology

Master of Divinity preferred

Job description

Position Summary

LeadMeaningfulProgramminginaHistoric,Christ-CenteredSeasideRetreat

Are you a ministry-minded leader who can bring spiritual vision, operational excellence, and thoughtful coordination to a diverse range of programs?

Doyouthrivewhenleadingstaffandvolunteers,buildingstronglocalpartnerships,andturningambitiousplans into meaningful, spiritual experiences for people of all generations?

The Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association is seeking a Christ-centered Program Director to lead event programming, spiritual formation opportunities, performing arts events, guest experiences, and recreational opportunities in one of the country’s longest-active camp meeting communities.

This is a distinctive senior leadership opportunity for someone who can honor OGCMA's rich, Christian heritage while bringing clarity, collaboration, and excellence to its year-round ministry programming.

WhoWeAre

Founded in 1869, Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association is a historic, year-round Christian community on the New Jersey shore. Rooted in the Wesleyan-Holiness tradition, our mission is to be the seaside community where all generations can know and grow in Jesus through worship, education, community programming, and recreational activities.

OGCMAbringstogetherministry,hospitality,music,communityevents,recreation,andspiritualformationina setting unlike any other.

TheOpportunity

TheProgramDirectorprovidesstrategicandoperationalleadershipfortheprogramsandexperiencesthatbring OGCMA's mission to life.

The central purpose of this role is to develop and lead cohesive, mission-aligned programming that helps people of all generations encounter Christian community, spiritual growth, meaningful culture, and recreation through OGCMA.

Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer and working closely with the Program Chair and Program Committee, the Program Director ensures that programming reflects the mission, values, and strategic direction established by the Board of Trustees.

This leader will oversee a broad and highly visible portfolio of events, activities, and worship experiences. The role requires both a strategic, vision-driven perspective and the ability to ensure that complex programs are carefully planned and executed with excellence.

Responsibilities

ProgrammingStrategyandMinistryAlignment

• DevelopandoverseeacohesiveannualprogrammingstrategyalignedwithOGCMA's mission,theological heritage, and organizational priorities.
• WorkcloselywiththeCOO,ProgramChair,ProgramCommittee,staff,andministryleaderstoestablish priorities and coordinate programming across the organization.
• Evaluateprogramsandexperiencesformissionalignment,quality,participation,sustainability,andcontinued effectiveness.
• HonorthetraditionsthathaveshapedOGCMAwhileidentifyingthoughtfulopportunitiestostrengthenand improve programming.

WorshipandSpiritualFormation

• ProvideleadershipandcoordinationforSundaymorningandeveningworshipservices,Saturdayevening services, weekday worship opportunities, and Gospel Musical Ministries.
• Leadspeakerselection,scheduling,hospitality,andrelatedlogistics.
• Overseechildren's,youth,andotherspiritualformationprograms,supportingministrystaffandensuring alignment across generations.
• Coordinateretreatsandspecialministrygatherings,includingtheWomen'sRetreat,Men'sRetreat,Nightof Worship, and Christmas in Ocean Grove.

ArtsandCommunityProgramming

• LeadtheplanningandcoordinationofconcertsandperformingeventssuchasSummerStars,Organ Concerts, Atlantic Wind Ensemble, and Summer Band.
• Oversee major community traditions and events, including the Independence Day (4th of July) Parade and Illumination Night.
• Buildproductiverelationshipswithartists,speakers,vendors,ministrypartners,andcommunity stakeholders.
• Ensurethatculturalandcommunityprogramsarethoughtfullyplanned,professionallypresented,and consistent with OGCMA's mission.

StaffandVolunteerLeadership

• Lead,support,anddevelopprogramstaff,ministryleaders,andvolunteers.
  • The Program Director currently provides leadership to the Program Coordinator, Graphic Designer and Program Tech Support, Recreation Coordinator, Grove Hall Manager, HUB Manager, Music Staff, ministry directors, and auxiliary volunteer leaders (Ushers, Choir, and Ladies Auxiliary).
• Foster strong communication, accountability, collaboration, and follow-through across the programming team.
• Recruit,train,andequipvolunteerstoserveeffectivelyinworship,hospitality,recreation,music,and community programming.

ProgramOperationsandFinancialStewardship

• Developandmanageprogrambudgets,monitorexpenses,andensureresponsiblefinancialstewardship.
• Negotiateandcoordinateagreementswithartists,speakers,vendors,andotherexternalpartners.
• Establisheffectivesystemsforscheduling,communication,planning,documentation,andcross-departmental coordination.
• Leadregularstaffandcommitteemeetingstomaintainalignmentandaccountability.
• PartnerwithcommunicationsstafftosupporttheProgramGuide,websitecontent,socialmedia,signage, and other program-related communications.

GuestExperience,Hospitality,andRecreation

• ProvideleadershipforGroveHallRetreatandConferenceCenterandTheHUBWelcomeCenter|Christian Books and Gifts.
• Overseerecreationalprogramming,includingtennis,pickleball,shuffleboard,andFitnessFaith&Fun.
• Help create welcoming, well-coordinated experiences for worshippers, guests, speakers, artists, retreat participants, and community members.
• Ensurethatguestservices,recreation,andhospitalityprogramssupportthebroadermissionand programming strategy of OGCMA.

WhoWillThrive Here

The strongest candidate will be a Christ-centered leader who can move comfortably between ministry, programming, people leadership, and organizational operations. Qualified candidates will likely bring the following qualifications:

• Bachelor'sdegreeintheology,Ministry,NonprofitManagement,Communications,orarelatedfield required; Master of Divinity or Theology preferred.
• Apersonal,active,andgrowingrelationshipwithJesusChrist,demonstratedthroughintegrity,humility,and service.
• Fullalignmentwiththemission,vision,andStatementofFaithofOGCMA.
• Demonstratedexperienceplanning,leading,andevaluatingprogramswithinaministry,nonprofit,cultural, hospitality, or related environment.
• Experienceleadingstaffandvolunteersacrossmultipleprogramsorfunctionalareas.
• Strongorganizationalandprojectleadershipskills,includingexperiencemanagingbudgets,timelines, vendors, and concurrent priorities.
• Excellentwritten,verbal,interpersonal,andpubliccommunicationskills.
• Abilitytoworkeffectivelywithtrustees,committees,staffmembers,volunteers,artists,speakers,and community stakeholders.
• Soundjudgment,creativity,andtheabilitytonavigatechallengesandresolveconflictconstructively.
• Workingknowledgeofprint,digital,socialmedia,andothercommunicationsplatforms.
• Aservant-heartedapproachtoleadershipandacommitmenttohelpingotherssucceed.

ScheduleandMinistryRhythm

This is a full-time leadership position with responsibilities that reflect the unique rhythm of a year-round camp meeting community.

The Program Director should expect regular involvement in Sunday services, evening and weekend programs, retreats, concerts, and major seasonal events. Certain periods of the year, particularly the summer programming season, will require increased availability and flexibility.

Therolealsoincludesopportunitiestoplanahead,developsystems,evaluateprograms,andprepareforfuture seasons during less intensive periods of the calendar.

Hours and Compensation

• Salaryrange:$80,000-$115,000,commensuratewithexperience
• Paid vacation
• Medical,dental,andvisioninsurance
• Lifeinsurance
• Retirementplan
• 13paidholidays
• Freebeachaccess
• Flexibleworkschedulewithremoteworkoptions

Pre-EmploymentRequirements

EmploymentatOGCMArequirescompletionofabackgroundcheck,fingerprinting,abusepreventiontraining, and all required employment documentation.