Director of Camp Wise

Director of Camp Wise
Mandel Jewish Community Center of Cleveland
26001 S Woodland Rd
Beachwood, OH 44122

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 JCC's flagship programs and most significant community assets. Located on a 250-acre property in Chardon, Ohio, approximately 40 minutes from Cleveland, Camp Wise combines a vibrant camp community with preserved forests, trails, streams, and outdoor adventure spaces.

As Camp Wise approaches its landmark 120th Summer in 2027, the organization is undertaking a Historic Campus Transformation that includes brand-new camper cabins, a new 650-seat dining hall, recreation and arts facilities, a newly developed staff village designed to recruit, support, and retain adult and senior staff members, 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 is responsible for the overall leadership, momentum, management, and performance of Camp Wise. The Director reports directly to the President & CEO and works closely with the Camp Wise Committee, Mandel JCC senior leadership team, and Mandel JCC Board of Directors. Year-round operations are based at the Mandel JCC in Beachwood, Ohio, with on-site residence and leadership in Chardon, Ohio during the summer season.

• Leadthe long-term vision, strategy, culture, and growth of Camp Wise.
• Partner with JCC leadership and project teams to contribute programmatic vision and operational insight toward the Historic Campus Transformation
• Driveenrollment growth, retention, and long-term sustainability.

• Overseeoverall camp operations, safety, and performance.
• Lead integration of newly developing facilities into seasonal programming.
• EnsureACA standards, risk management, safety, and security compliance.
• Fostera culture of program innovation and operational excellence.

• Recruit,supervise, develop, and inspire leadership staff.
• Position Camp Wise as a premier employer for summer counselors and leadership staff.
• Strengthenyear-round and seasonal staff recruitment and retention strategies.
• Promote accountability, growth, and service excellence.
• Lead annual budgeting and business planning.
• Partner with the Mandel JCC Philanthropy Team.
• Supportdonor engagement and stewardship.

• Serveas a visible leader within Camp Wise and the broader Jewish community.
• Strengthen relationships with campers, families, alumni, donors, and partners.
• Supportalumni engagement and lifelong Camp Wise connections.
• Foster meaningful connections to Jewish identity, values and community.
• Serveas a year-round ambassador for Camp Wise.

• Campus Modernization & Integration
• Leverage Existing Culture
• Enrollment & Brand Growth

• Successful integration of historic camps transformation.
• Enrollment and retention growth
• Strong staff recruitment and retention outcomes
  
  Effective financial stewardship

• Positive Energy to Campers and Staff
• Abilityto Drive Vision and Purpose
• Experience Building Effective Teams
• Effective Communication
• Accountability
• Abilityto Instill Trust
• Experience Balancing Stakeholders
• Decision Quality

• Leadership experience in overnight camping, youth development, education, recreation,nonprofit leadership, or related fields
• Deepfamiliarity with ACA accreditation standards and overnight camping best practices
• Passion for developing young people and building Jewish community
• Successleading 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

• Year-Round Office:
  Mandel Jewish Community Center (Beachwood, Ohio).
• Summer Residence:
  On-site living provided at Camp Wise (Chardon, Ohio) during…