Director of Camp Wise
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Description
DIRECTOR OF CAMP WISE
Mandel Jewish Community Center of Cleveland
A Transformational Leadership Opportunity
A Transformational Leadership Opportunity
Position Summary
For more than a century, Camp Wise has helped young people build confidence, leadership skills, lifelong friendships, and meaningful connections to Jewish identity, community, and leadership. Founded in 1907, Camp Wise is one of the Mandel Jewish Community Center of Cleveland's flagship programs and most significant community assets.
Located on a beautiful 250-acre campus in Chardon, Ohio, Camp Wise combines a vibrant camp community with forests, trails, streams, waterfront activities, and outdoor adventures that have shaped generations of campers.
As Camp Wise approaches its landmark 120th Summer in 2027, the organization is undertaking a Historic Campus Transformation that includes new camper cabins, a 650-seat dining hall, recreation and arts facilities, a newly developed staff village, and a soon-to-be-constructed Director's House.
Camp Wise's impact extends far beyond the summer months through its connection to the Mandel Jewish Community Center of Cleveland, one of Northeast Ohio's leading nonprofit community organizations. Through this partnership, Camp Wise advances a broader mission of building community, fostering personal growth, and creating meaningful experiences across generations.
The Director serves as the chief leadership ambassador for Camp Wise and is responsible for the organization's overall leadership,
momentum, management, and performance. Reporting directly to the President & CEO, the Director works closely with the Camp Wise Committee, Mandel JCC senior leadership team, donors, alumni, community partners, and Board leadership to advance the camp's mission, strategic priorities, and long-term sustainability.
The Director understands that Camp Wise's success is measured not only by enrollment, facilities, budgets, and operations, but by the experiences, confidence, friendships, leadership skills, memories, and sense of belonging that campers and staff carry with them long after summer ends.
A Transformational Moment for Camp Wise
Camp Wise is entering one of the most significant periods in its 120-year history.
Major campus investments, new facilities, workforce development initiatives, enrollment opportunities, alumni engagement efforts, and long-term strategic planning create a rare opportunity for the next Director to help shape the future of one of North America's longest-running Jewish overnight camps.
The successful candidate will inherit a strong foundation while helping define Camp Wise's next chapter, ensuring that future generations of campers continue to experience the friendship, belonging, fun, leadership development, and Jewish connection that have defined Camp Wise for more than a century.
This is more than a camp leadership role.
It is an opportunity to help guide a flagship community institution through a period of significant growth, investment, and transformation.
Core Leadership Responsibilities
1. Strategy, Vision & Growth
- Lead the long-term vision, strategy, culture, and growth of Camp Wise.
- Partner with Mandel JCC leadership and project teams to contribute programmatic vision and operational insight toward the Historic Campus Transformation.
- Drive enrollment growth, retention, and long-term sustainability.
- Help shape the next century of Camp Wise.
- Ensure Camp Wise remains a premier Jewish overnight camp experience for future generations.
2. Operations & Program Excellence
- Oversee overall camp operations, safety, and performance.
- Lead integration of newly developed facilities into seasonal programming.
- Ensure ACA standards, risk management, safety, and security compliance.
- Foster a culture of innovation, operational excellence, and continuous improvement.
- Ensure that Camp Wise delivers exceptional, fun, meaningful, and transformative experiences for campers and staff.
- Balance cherished traditions with innovation and evolving camper needs.
3. Leadership, Culture & Talent Development
- Recruit, supervise, develop, and inspire leadership staff.
- Position Camp Wise as a premier employer for counselors, specialists, and camp leadership professionals.
- Strengthen year-round and seasonal recruitment and retention strategies.
- Build a culture of accountability, growth, mentorship, belonging, and service excellence.
- Create an environment where staff feel supported, challenged, empowered, and inspired.
4. Financial Stewardship & Philanthropy
- Lead annual budgeting and business planning efforts.
- Ensure responsible stewardship of organizational resources.
- Partner closely with the Mandel JCC Philanthropy Team and President & CEO to engage donors and alumni, articulate the vision for Camp Wise, support fundraising priorities, and strengthen long-term philanthropic investment in the camp.
- Support donor stewardship and alumni engagement efforts.
- Help ensure the long-term financial sustainability of Camp Wise.
5. Community Engagement, Alumni Relations & Jewish Identity
- Serve as a visible year-round leader within Camp Wise and the broader Jewish community.
- Strengthen relationships with campers, families, alumni, donors, volunteers, and community partners.
- Expand alumni engagement and lifelong Camp Wise connections.
- Foster meaningful connections to Jewish identity, values, traditions, and community.
- Serve as a passionate ambassador for Camp Wise and the Mandel JCC.
Immediate Priorities (Years 1–2)
- Successful integration of newly developed facilities
- Advancement of the Historic Campus Transformation
- Talent Pipeline Development
- Enrollment & Brand Growth
- Alumni & Community Engagement
- Preservation and enhancement of Camp Wise culture and traditions
Measures of Success
Success in this role will be demonstrated through:
- Successful integration of the Historic Campus Transformation
- Enrollment and retention growth
- Strong staff recruitment and retention outcomes
- Exceptional camper and staff experiences
- Increased alumni, donor, and community engagement
- Effective financial stewardship
- Advancement of strategic priorities
- Long-term organizational sustainability
Candidate Profile
The ideal candidate is a relationship-centered leader who combines strategic vision with operational excellence and believes deeply in the transformative power of camp.
This individual is energized by developing people, building community, and creating meaningful experiences for young people and families. They understand that Camp Wise's impact extends well beyond a single summer and that great camp experiences can shape lives for years to come.
They are equally comfortable leading staff teams, engaging donors and alumni, working with volunteers and lay leaders, and serving as a year-round ambassador for Camp Wise throughout the Jewish community.
Successful candidates will bring warmth, energy, accountability, and strong leadership presence, along with the ability to guide a complex organization through growth, change, and transformation.
Leadership Profile
The successful candidate will demonstrate:
- Positive energy and enthusiasm for campers and staff
- Ability to drive vision and purpose
- Strategic thinking and long-term planning
- Experience building and developing effective teams
- Financial acumen
- Effective communication skills
- Accountability and follow-through
- Ability to instill trust
- Sound judgment and decision-making
- Experience balancing multiple stakeholders
- Talent development and mentorship capabilities
Desired Experience
- Leadership experience in overnight camping, youth development, education, recreation, nonprofit leadership, or related fields.
- Deep familiarity with ACA accreditation standards and overnight camping best practices.
- Passion for developing young people and strengthening Jewish community.
- Success leading teams and managing complex operations.
- Strong financial and organizational management skills.
- Exceptional communication and relationship-building abilities.
- Experience navigating periods of growth, change, or organizational transformation.
- Experience engaging volunteers, alumni, donors, and community stakeholders is preferred.
Work Location & Arrangements
Year-Round Office: Mandel Jewish Community Center, Beachwood, Ohio
Summer Residence: On-site living provided at Camp Wise in Chardon, Ohio during the summer season.
Compensation & Benefits
Anticipated Salary Range
$150,000-$190,000 annually
Compensation will be commensurate with experience, qualifications, demonstrated leadership success, and overall fit for the role.
For an exceptional candidate whose experience, track record, leadership capabilities, and vision align closely with Camp Wise's long-term strategic priorities, compensation may exceed the stated range and approach $200,000.
Benefits Include
- Comprehensive healthcare coverage
- Retirement benefits
- Generous paid time off
- Mandel JCC membership and program benefits
- Professional development opportunities
- Summer housing accommodations
- Existing Director cabin and future Director's House accommodations
Join Us
Help shape the next century of Camp Wise while creating extraordinary experiences for campers, families, alumni, and staff.
This is a rare opportunity to lead one of North America's longest-running Jewish overnight camps during a once-in-a-generation period of growth, investment, and transformation.