Summer Camp Director

PALI ADVENTURES CAMP DIRECTOR

About Pali

Pali is a leading outdoor hospitality company in Southern California, operating two properties offering summer camp, outdoor education, and conference programs. Founded in 1990, Pali Adventures, our flagship summer camp, has earned a stellar reputation for delivering exceptional, innovative experiences. We strive to create memorable moments for over 5,000 guests annually, fostering personal growth and lasting impact. Our property feature cabins, meeting areas, classrooms, outdoor adventure spaces, and a mess hall, providing a versatile backdrop for a variety of programs. At Pali, we believe in bringing people together in meaningful ways, and our operators are dedicated to building a world-class property that positively impacts every guest.

Job Overview

The Summer Camp Director is a critical leadership role at Pali Adventures, responsible for the overall management and execution of our "camp of choice" experience. This individual will partner with the camp owner and COO on strategic vision and planning, while independently managing day-to-day operations. The Director will lead a lean team, fostering a positive environment for campers and staff, and ensuring high-efficiency operations. With over 30 unique specialties, including watersports, circus, aviation, and Hollywood stunts, our offerings set us apart. Each year, we expand, providing room for directors to develop new specialties aligned with their passions, backed by strong support from ownership and leadership. This position demands a highly motivated, experienced professional with a passion for creating unforgettable summer experiences within a best-in-class business framework. The Director is responsible for the planning, direction, and administration of all camp operations, ensuring a safe, enriching, and memorable experience for everyone.

Key Responsibilities

Camp Structure & Execution

• Manage the annual production of summer camp, including hiring, training, programming, parent relations, renewals, and operations
• Develop and implement the camp's strategic plan, including goals for program development, camper recruitment, and staff management.
• Highly involved and visible with campers, prioritizing camper engagement over administrative work
• Maintain positive relationships with parents, alumni, and the local community.
• Represent the camp to the community, building positive relationships with stakeholders.
• Oversee the maintenance and upkeep of camp equipment.
• Work with COO to ensure camp is always operating in the most efficient way to deliver satisfactory product
• ACA-accredited for years, we are preparing for our next renewal this summer. An experienced leadership team, including assistant directors and department heads, is in place to ensure a smooth process. We are seeking a director with ACA experience to help maintain our high standards.
• Pali is not a traditional rustic camp. Our state-of-the-art cabins feature multiple bathrooms and temperature control, air-conditioned dining, year-round experienced healthcare team, full maintenance and housekeeping teams, and high-quality meals for campers and staff.

Program Evolution

• Partner with the owner to refine and implement the camp's strategic goals, ensuring alignment with the overall vision and brand.
• Continuously evaluate and improve camp programs and services, seeking innovative ways to enhance the camper experience, including specialty offerings like trapeze, variety shows, motor sports, and more.
• Oversee the development and implementation of all camp programs, ensuring high quality and alignment with camper interests and current trends.
• Research and propose new program offerings and activities to keep the "camp of choice" experience fresh and exciting.
• Monitor camper feedback and program participation to identify areas for growth and improvement.
• Stay informed about industry best practices and emerging trends in camping and youth development.

Sales

• Oversee renewals of campers, increasing returner percentage to be above industry standards
• Partner with our sales and marketing team to ensure Pali's unique, engaging camp story is being conveyed accurate to our target market
• Work with marketing to execute tactical marketing experiences in-market to generate brand awareness and leads

Staff Management

• Hire, train, and supervise all camp staff, fostering a positive and productive work environment. This role won't require building a team from scratch. Many leadership team members bring years of experience, and hiring is well underway with a strong mix of returning and new staff ready for training to bring them to the next level of camper engagement!
• Cultivate a strong leadership team, empowering staff to excel in their respective roles.
• Provide regular feedback and performance evaluations to staff members.
• Develop and implement staff training programs to ensure high-quality instruction and camper safety.
• Foster a supportive and collaborative team culture.
• Manage staff scheduling and ensure adequate coverage for all camp activities.
• Address staff concerns and resolve conflicts effectively.
• Oversee the dedicated in-house sales and marketing team, led by a seasoned sales director, help handle parent communication and logistics.
• Manage experienced in-house media team ensures families stay connected to their campers' experiences.

P&L Oversight

• Manage the camp's budget, ensuring fiscal responsibility and maximizing resource allocation.
• Exercise sound judgment in decision-making, balancing the owner's vision with practical considerations and the needs of the camp community.
• Provide regular updates to the owner and COO on camp performance, challenges, and opportunities.
• Manage risk and ensure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations, including safety and accreditation standards.
• Oversee the maintenance and upkeep of camp facilities and equipment.
• Manage camper relations, including communication with parents and addressing camper concerns.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate will be a visionary leader with a passion for creating "wow" experiences for campers. They will possess a startup culture mindset, thrive in a dynamic environment, and be proactive and solution-oriented. Strong strategic planning skills, program innovation, and team leadership abilities are essential. Excellent communication, financial management, and operational expertise are also critical. A genuine commitment to camper well-being, strong problem-solving skills, adaptability, creativity, and exceptional organizational skills are highly valued. Experience with multi-week program development and/or multi-site operations is a plus.

Salary and Benefits

$80-115k, potential for housing