Chief Operating Officer​/Camp Director

Final date to receive applications: april 3rd, 2026

stanford sierra camp & conference center ("stanford sierra camp" or ssc) is a full-service conference center/alumni family camp located near the entrance of desolation wilderness at fallen leaf lake in south lake tahoe, ca. The property can house up to 300 guests and 95 staff, and offers a full range of recreational activities, meeting facilities, and food services. General information on the stanford alumni association - sierra programs is available nfordsierra.org

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the chief operating officer (coo)/camp director is responsible for the vision, strategic planning, and daily operations of stanford sierra camp & conference center, which is owned by saa sierra program, llc. Reporting to the saa sierra program llc board of directors (llc) and stanford alumni association (saa) chief financial officer, the camp director provides strategic leadership, setting long‑range goals, strategies, plans, and policies.

This position oversees all programming, alumni engagement, guest services, financial management, risk management, relations with guests, employees, and the fallen leaf community, as well as facilities and property operations, to ensure a safe, meaningful, and exceptional experience for both guests and staff.

the camp director supervises a robust leadership team including six direct reports: the assistant camp director, director of facilities, sales & marketing director, human resources director, food services director/executive chef, and reservations manager. In addition, the role oversees 20 managerial/supervisory team members and over 150 seasonal staff members each year between our spring/fall conference seasons and summer camp program. The role requires strong social‑emotional skills, effective conflict resolution and de‑escalation techniques, excellent organizational skills, and the ability to thrive in a fast‑paced environment with competing priorities.

the role requires living on‑site for three months each year during the summer season to provide hands‑on leadership and ensure the camp's operational success. this position is highly visible, hands‑on, and guest‑facing, with a focus on cultivating a culture of excellence, teamwork, and safety across all departments.

• strategic leadership – provides overall leadership for stanford sierra camp, directing all managers and staff across departments to deliver outstanding guest services, creating a positive workplace culture, upholding the highest standards for safety, and maintaining an attractive facility.
• financial oversight – responsible for the financial viability and success of ssc, including long‑term planning. Creates annual budgets, setting summer and conference rates accordingly. Oversees all operating and departmental budgets, monitoring expenses and purchases throughout the year.
• operational responsibility – leads the design, implementation, and communication of effective growth strategies, operational procedures, processes, and personnel structures that support organizational objectives.
• staffing & employee relations – oversees recruitment, hiring, and employee relations for managerial staff and seasonal summer camp and conference staff.
• team leadership & coaching – provides leadership and coaching to a high‑performing team. Responsible for retaining staff, career coaching, professional development and accountability for the performance of direct reports and all ssc staff.
• summer program management – oversees the development of all summer camp programming, ensuring a fun, family‑oriented atmosphere, emphasizing outdoor recreation, education, and inclusivity.
• conference program management – establishes high standards of professional service for all conference programming.
• food management – ensures successful food service operations for alumni summer camp and conference guests, as well as for camp staff year‑round.
• guest services & alumni relations – builds and maintains positive relationships on behalf of the organization with guests, alumni, business partners, stakeholders, residents of fallen leaf, and the general public.
• facilities & safety –…