Job Title: Associate Director, BCI

Status: Full-Time

Supervisor: Arthur Pinchev, Senior Advisor to the President

Job Summary

Brandeis Camp Institute (BCI) is an 18-day, in-residence fellowship for Jews in their 20’s. Through dialogue, text, arts, music, and nature, fellows step away from life’s noise to explore identity, purpose, and leadership—emerging with the tools to build a Jewish life that feels authentic and their own.

Founded in 1941, the Marilyn and Sigi Ziering Brandeis Camp Institute (BCI) brings together young Jewish adults from all over the world for two sessions every summer, for 18 days each, at the idyllic Brandeis-Bardin Campus in Simi Valley, CA.

At BCI, exploration of self and Judaism occurs within a safe, pluralistic community, where participants from around the world experience multifaceted aspects of Jewish life and culture. Participants are exposed to a multitude of Jewish perspectives and encouraged to find their voice within the tradition.

As part of the BCI leadership team, the Associate Director for Administration maintains a visible position at BCI and in the community as a role model representing BCI and its values and principles. In close collaboration with the Senior Advisor to the President (SAP), the Associate Director serves as the lead administrator and liaison for the BCI community. The Associate Director will be the primary point of contact for staff and participant recruitment, and organizational partners. Additionally, this role will support all administrative needs of the program, in particular through the application process, summer supply ordering, and social media and marketing campaigns.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Vision and Community Leadership
   1. Partner with SAP to support the creation of the summer program in alignment with BCI legacy and values.
   2. Manage day-to-day camp operations, and create safe and meaningful experiences for participants and staff.
   3. During the summers serve as in-residence programmatic support of the BCI community. Support staff and participants through reflection and meaningful connection.
   4. Partner with AJU’s advancement team to support efforts to expand BCI’s donor base through proactive outreach to alumni, granting organizations, and new mission-aligned donors.
   5. Promote and support ongoing BCI alumni engagement and community building, such as alumni reunions, regional gatherings, and follow-up programming.
   6. This position requires both a respect for BCI traditions and a willingness to look with fresh eyes at the state of the current BCI program in order to craft new immersive experiences using the BCI model that expand impact by meeting the needs of today’s participants.
2. Camp Operations and Planning:
   1. Support the annual budgeting process, maintain appropriate records.
   2. Supervises the staff and participant recruitment and application process, tracking progress, sending reminders, and ensuring compliance with all steps of the process.
      1. Collaborates with Senior Advisor to the President (SAP) regarding recruitment season strategic plan.
      2. Facilitates outreach and engagement with prospective applicants.
      3. Assists the SAP in reviewing prospective staff and participant applicants and determining staff placements.
      4. Attends conferences and local events as needed.
   3. Take a lead role in areas of social media engagement and written communications, working in collaboration with AJU’s communications department.
   4. Provides a warm, compassionate, and personal experience rooted in Jewish values to all BCI participants, donors, alumni and staff.
   5. Supports planning for staff training schedule and programming. Serves as supervisor for staff positions during BCI programming.

3. Administrative Support
   1. Manages content on the BCI website, updating dates, photos, and information as needed.
   2. Oversees supply and swag ordering ahead of summer and conferences.
   3. Sets up contracts with outside vendors, including guest educators, photographer, arrival day hotel, airport buses, summer car rental, etc.
   4. Liaises with AJU accounting and HR departments for all summer staff hiring, payment, and reimbursement needs.
   5. Coordinates logistics with AJU’s Brandeis-Bardin Campus staff for any in-person programming, including housing, menus, program space set-up, etc.
   6. Communicates with Staff and Participants ahead of programming regarding travel arrangements, contracts, and all necessary forms.

Job Requirements

1. Highly organized – able to set priorities, manage complex scheduling, and keep track of many participant, staff & partner inquiries at the same time.
2. Loves speaking with and assisting people one-on-one, but also can work highly independently.
3. Ability to communicate effectively with diverse groups of people.
4. Live on-site at BCI June-July (housing and food provided).
5. Maintain a demanding camp schedule during the summer; ability to manage high stress situations and crises with a level head and sound judgment, able to act decisively in emergencies.
6. Summer involves extensive walking, standing, and moving, carrying, or positioning objects weighing up to 40 lbs.
7. Flexibility to work irregular hours, including some weekend hours.

Qualifications and Specifications

1. Highly personable and enthusiastic demeanor, oriented toward recruitment and engagement.
2. Knowledgeable about the BCI program, its educational goals, program and staffing structure, or other camp/experiential education program equivalent.
3. Knowledge and commitment to Jewish traditions and customs.
4. Extremely detail oriented and efficient, able to maintain records, plan events, and respond to individual needs.
5. Able to creatively problem solve and anticipate and proactively respond to staff and participant needs.
6. Requires exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, both verbal and written, with a high degree of emotional intelligence.
7. Masters in Jewish Education, non-profit management or equivalent a plus (e.g. knowledge of program development and educational methodologies, with a specific understanding of camp/retreat programming).

Guidelines

This position is exempt from the provisions of Section 1 of the California Industrial Welfare Commission Orders.

Salary Range

$75,000 – $90,000 DOE

Includes AJU FT benefits package includes health, dental, vision insurance, 403(b) retirement plan, two weeks vacation and sick leave accrual. All Jewish holidays off and shortened days on Fridays.