Position Overview

The Jewish Federation of Madison (JFM) is seeking an experienced, energetic leader to serve as Director of Camp Shalom, our long-standing summer day camp serving more than 450 campers and employing more than 170 seasonal staff per session.

We recognize that exceptional camp leaders come from a variety of professional backgrounds and are therefore open to two possible structures for this position:

• a full-time, year-round leadership role OR
• a seasonal role concentrated around the late spring and summer season.

The structure will be determined based on the experience, interests, and availability of the successful candidate, as well as the needs of the organization.

Possible employment structures

Seasonal Position: Approximately February-August, with hours increasing as camp approaches and full-time, on-site leadership during the summer. This role may be especially well suited to an educator or other professional with availability to take on significant camp responsibilities in the spring and summer. A year-round Assistant Director would provide continuity and support outside the Director’s employment period. Limited off-season work (typically 5-10 hours per week) may be required and will be

compensated separately.

Full-time, Year-round: Full-time position responsible for the year-round strategic direction, management, and growth of Camp Shalom, including long-term planning, staff development, budgeting, family and community engagement, and coordination with JFM programs and leadership.

In addition to the Core Responsibilities listed below, the Full-time role would include:

• Stewarding the long-term vision and strategy for Camp Shalom.
• Building and sustaining Camp Shalom's leadership pipeline and staff development systems year-round
• Leading annual planning, financial strategy, camper pricing, and major vendor relationships.
• Partnering with JFM leadership and lay leaders on camp growth, fundraising, facilities, and long-term sustainability.
• Providing leadership or oversight for related JFM youth/camp programming, including NOBO.
• Maintaining institutional knowledge and systems that strengthen Camp Shalom from year to year.

Core Responsibilities

Regardless of employment structure, the Camp Director serves as the senior leader of Camp Shalom and will:

• Provide overall leadership for Camp Shalom and foster a welcoming, inclusive, and joyful camp culture.
• Recruit, hire, train, supervise, and support a large seasonal staff, in partnership with the Assistant Director and other camp leadership.
• Oversee camp programming, schedules, registration, family communication, transportation, vendors, and other operational needs.
• Serve as the senior on-site leader during camp and the primary point of contact for significant camper, staff, and family concerns.
• Ensure compliance with Wisconsin licensing requirements and JFM health, safety, security, and risk-management practices.
• Lead responses to emergencies and other high-stakes situations.
• Partner with inclusion staff to ensure campers with diverse needs are appropriately supported.
• Manage the summer camp budget and resources responsibly.
• Build strong relationships with campers, families, staff, and JFM community.
• Evaluate each summer season and use feedback and data to strengthen future programming.

Candidates are encouraged to indicate in their application whether they are interested in the year-round structure, the seasonal structure, or either.

Schedule and Work Environment

The Director must be available full-time and on site during the Camp Shalom summer season (June-August), including critical preparation and staff training periods. Depending on the selected employment structure, additional responsibilities may occur either seasonally (approximately February-August) or year-round.

Qualifications

• 6 - 8 years of leadership experience in camp, education, youth development, recreation, nonprofit management, or a related field.
• Demonstrated success recruiting, supervising, and developing staff; experience leading large seasonal teams preferred.
• Strong organizational, operational, and strategic leadership skills.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building abilities.
• Sound judgment and ability to lead effectively during high-intensity situations.
• Commitment to inclusion and creating environments where children of diverse backgrounds and abilities thrive.
• Commitment to the mission and values of the Jewish Federation of Madison.
• Prior camp leadership experience strongly preferred; familiarity with camp licensing and safety requirements is a plus.

Salary and compensation:

Full time position is $55,00-65,000 commensurate with experience. Part time position (3 full time months, plus part-time in the off season) is $20,000-30,000 commensurate with experience.

To apply please send resume and cover letter to skushner@jewishmadison.org.