Director of Youth Services

The Director of Youth Services is responsible for the strategic planning, management, and execution of After School programs at Sid Jacobson JCC in East Hills and off-site school district locations. This role includes overseeing vacation programs for children ages 5-12 and other youth initiatives, including vacation camp programming and youth programming. Reporting to the Associate Executive Director, Youth and Family, the Director ensures high-quality programming that aligns with the JCC’s mission and goals.

Director Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement a vision for excellence in youth programming, including but not limited to After School programs, both at the JCC and in other school partnership programs, vacation programming, and youth programming
• Oversee the overall performance and success of on-site and off-site After School programs
• Manage program schedules, vendor partnerships, supply procurement, and material distribution for all youth programs
• Coordinate, develop, and execute vacation camps throughout the year
• Develop and create new and innovative youth programming, including weekend and evening programs
• Supervise the youth administrative team
• Manage all hiring, training, and ongoing supervision of After School staff, vacation camp, and youth personnel
• Collaborate with leadership to establish strategic goals and objectives for all youth, After School, and vacation camp programming
• Partner with Human Resources and Associate Executive Director, Youth and Family to coach, counsel, and discipline team members
• Enforce SJJCC policies and procedures

Position Responsibilities:

• Assess youth programming needs and identify/create unique, innovative curriculum and programming to support a philosophy in line with our mission and vision and educational excellence
• Foster a nurturing and inclusive environment where staff, vendors, children, and families feel valued and supported
• Work closely with JCC leadership, youth program families, and external partners to align programming with community needs
• Ensure compliance with the Department of Children and Family Services and NY Department of Health licensing guidelines to ensure standards are met or exceeded, including emergency plans and trainings
• Develop and present the Youth Department budget within JCC guidelines
• Partner with the Marketing team to create and implement a year-round marketing strategy to promote After School, vacation, and general youth programming (weekends and evening programming), ensuring successful recruitment and retention
• Conduct performance reviews, set performance goals, and implement staff retention and professional development plans
• Actively collaborate with other departments and participate within the JCC to support agency-wide goals and initiatives
• Execute additional duties and responsibilities when asked

Qualifications:

• Minimum of 3 years of experience in youth leadership, school administration, camp direction, or related roles in children’s programming
• Bachelor’s Degree in Education, Social Work, or a related field required
• Master’s Degree in Education or related field preferred
• Experience in a Jewish camp or youth program leadership position strongly preferred
• Strong background in program administration, including planning, coordination, and execution of large-scale programs, including the ability to manage multiple projects and prioritize tasks effectively
• Deep understanding of child development and age-appropriate activities for early childhood through pre-teen years
• Proven ability to effectively communicate and engage with children, parents, and staff
• Exceptional leadership and managerial skills with the ability to foster collaboration, teamwork, and a positive work culture
• Demonstrated compassion, consistency, fairness, cultural sensitivity, flexibility, and professionalism
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and general computer literacy
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to thrive in a collaborative team environment and work on weekends and evenings when need be
• First Aid/CPR certification required (or willingness to obtain)