Program Director Jobs in Ames, IA (NOW HIRING)

Primary Purpose

An S&K Traveling Director is responsible for filling in when a Director is no longer present to run a camp, as well as running other seasonal break programs and pop-up childcare events throughout the year across the country. This role may involve establishing and building relationships with hundreds of camp families; recruiting, hiring, training and leading seasonal teams, and; overseeing logistics, compliance, operations and inventory management for the programs they support. Assignment to these programs may happen suddenly, with a quick turn around. Throughout the preseason Traveling Directors may also be assigned an assortment of camp support tasks as needed for the larger business needs. Successful Traveling Directors will create a dynamic, inclusive and growing camp community for campers, staff and families and deliver phenomenal programs for kids, while ensuring safety, operational efficiency and profitability.

Essential Functions/Responsibilities

• May be responsible for any of the following tasks across multiple sites over the course of the year:

• Supporting any stage of the employee life cycle for seasonal teams of up to 35: attraction, recruitment, onboarding, development, retention, and separation as needed.

• Temporary/last minute in person manager responsible for all facets of a day camp that runs 7-12 weeks, with a typical range of 20-250 campers per day generating 5-7 figure revenue; also responsible for managing other break programs and pop-up child care events whenever local school districts are not running.

• Handles crisis, emergency, behavioral and medical responses as needed when issues come up at camp or in other childcare settings.

• Manages all customer contact for a program as assigned, including responding to email and phone inquiries in a timely fashion, providing exceptional customer service, and handling sensitive and escalated matters for hundreds of prospective and attending camp families.

• Manages compliance processes and ensures implementation of company, city and state required policies for camps and/or childcare facilities as applicable to their assignment.

• Ensuring program adherence to a six-figure budget for personnel, food and programming.

• Oversee inventory management functions for hundreds of items valued in excess of six-figures, which are needed to run camp programs.

• Maintain a positive relationship with the host school that rents out the facility where the camp runs; be familiar with janitorial arrangements, security and site planning to ensure sanitary, safe and smooth operations.

Decision Making

Receives limited direction and exercises independent judgement within the scope of their role

Influence

Regularly influences function or department

Impact

Department

Job Requirements - Education/Experience

The Steve & Kate's Traveling Director is a highly adaptable operations leader responsible for overseeing camp and childcare programs nationwide, providing leadership support across locations, driving team performance, ensuring compliance, and delivering exceptional experiences for children and families.

Primary Purpose:

An S&K Traveling Director is responsible for filling in when a Director is no longer present to run a camp, as well as running other seasonal break programs and pop-up childcare events throughout the year across the country. This role may involve establishing and building relationships with hundreds of camp families; recruiting, hiring, training and leading seasonal teams, and; overseeing logistics, compliance, operations and inventory management for the programs they support. Assignment to these programs may happen suddenly, with a quick turn around. Throughout the preseason Traveling Directors may also be assigned an assortment of camp support tasks as needed for the larger business needs. Successful Traveling Directors will create a dynamic, inclusive and growing camp community for campers, staff and families and deliver phenomenal programs for kids, while ensuring safety, operational efficiency and profitability.

Essential Functions/Responsibilities

• May be responsible for any of the following tasks across multiple sites over the course of the year:

• Supporting any stage of the employee life cycle for seasonal teams of up to 35: attraction, recruitment, onboarding, development, retention, and separation as needed.

• Temporary/last minute in person manager responsible for all facets of a day camp that runs 7-12 weeks, with a typical range of 20-250 campers per day generating 5-7 figure revenue; also responsible for managing other break programs and pop-up child care events whenever local school districts are not running.

• Handles crisis, emergency, behavioral and medical responses as needed when issues come up at camp or in other childcare settings.

• Manages all customer contact for a program as assigned, including responding to email and phone inquiries in a timely fashion, providing exceptional customer service, and handling sensitive and escalated matters for hundreds of prospective and attending camp families.

• Manages compliance processes and ensures implementation of company, city and state required policies for camps and/or childcare facilities as applicable to their assignment.

• Ensuring program adherence to a six-figure budget for personnel, food and programming.

• Oversee inventory management functions for hundreds of items valued in excess of six-figures, which are needed to run camp programs.

• Maintain a positive relationship with the host school that rents out the facility where the camp runs; be familiar with janitorial arrangements, security and site planning to ensure sanitary, safe and smooth operations.

Job Requirements - Education/Experience

• Bachelor's Degree - Preferred

• 5 years of relevant experience in lieu of degree considered

• 3 years Administrative or Supervisory Experience in a Camp, Education or Childcare setting - Required

• Past management or leadership experience is required; experience hiring and managing teams of 5 or more, as well as experience with multi-site management is preferred

• Candidates who meet the ACA standard of being at least 25 years old are preferred.

Additional Job Requirements

• Must demonstrate an understanding of required quality camp standards; knowledge and ability to lead staff in implementation of developmentally appropriate program; experience and skill in communication, leadership, organization and supervision; sensitivity and responsiveness to needs of families, staff, and client/hosts; and ability to perform job responsibilities in all levels of direct care.

• Demonstrated sensitivity and responsiveness to needs of parents/guardian, staff, and client/host.

• Must demonstrate working knowledge and management of business operations and financial performance proficiency, combined with technology platforms for business operations, such as HRIS, timekeeping, enrollment tracking and billing.

• Strong leadership, supervisory and organizational skills, demonstrated ability to handle multiple tasks.

• Experience working in an inclusive work environment and managing across differences.

• During assigned camp programs, Traveling Director is expected to be on-site. When camps are not in session, most planning work can be done from home, but are expected to be actively marketing, recruiting staff and promoting camp as assigned.

• On-site management at camp can be physically demanding, with extended periods of time on your feet, outside and occasional activity requiring physical exertion.

• If applicable based on assigned camp's food service and staffing models, obtain applicable required food handling/service certifications and/or training.

• Candidates are expected to understand that travel assignments are unpredictable and often urgent in nature, periods of extensive travel nationally are likely when programs are running.

Disclaimer

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature of work performed, not an exhaustive list of all essential functions and responsibilities.

At this time, Bright Horizons will not sponsor an applicant for employment authorization/visa for this position.

Bepart of a community where people grow, futures are shaped, and lives are changed. We offer the rewards, opportunities, and support you deserve because making a difference goes both ways. We're changing the world of work and family, and it starts with you. At Bright Horizons,you're the difference.

Life at Bright Horizons:

At Bright Horizons, you're more than your job title -you're the difference. Whether you're nurturing a child's first steps or supporting the systems behind the scenes, your work creates real impact. We're a community that celebrates individuality, invests in your growth, and supports your whole self. Because when you thrive, so do the children, families, and clients we serve. Join us and help build a brighter future - for yourself and for others.

Bright Horizons provides equal opportunity in all aspects of employment and does not discriminate against any individual on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, national origin, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected under federal, state, or local law. Bright Horizons complies with the laws and regulations described in the following federal government resources: Know Your Rights, Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)and Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA).

If you require assistance or a reasonable accommodation in completing these application materials or any aspect of the application and hiring process, please contact the recruitment helpdesk at 855-877-6866 or bhrecruit@brighthorizons.com. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.