Associate Director, URJ Camp OSRUI
Location: Hybrid (Remote and onsite at OSRUI in Oconomowoc, WI)
Organization: Union for Reform Judaism
Employment Type: Full Time, Benefits Eligible, Exempt, MNGT
Department: Camps & Immersives
Reporting to: Camp Director
Start Date: ASAP
Salary Range: $75,000 - $80,000 plus competitive benefits package
The Role
The Union for Reform Judaism’s (URJ) Olin-Sang-Ruby Union Institute (OSRUI) seeks a dynamic, passionate, and strategic Associate Director to help create a vibrant and transformative summer camp, as well as impactful year-round youth and family engagement experiences. The Associate Director plays a key leadership role in advancing the URJ’s mission to foster inclusive communities of belonging, where young people from diverse backgrounds — including Campers of Color, LGBTQ+ campers, campers with disabilities, and others from underrepresented communities — are empowered as leaders to build a better world and engage in Jewish life throughout their lives.
What You Will Do
Camp Leadership
- Champion camper and staff well-being by fostering an environment where everyone feels safe, supported, and valued.
- Supervise and mentor full-time and seasonal staff with a focus on recruitment, retention, experience, marketing and communications, registration, and camper care/well-being.
- Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to design and implement engaging, mission-aligned summer and year-round programming.
- Create an aspirational arc for campers by supervising the design and implementation of the summer master and daily calendar, including camp-wide programming (carnivals, Maccabiah/Color War, etc.), artists-in-residence, and evening programs.
- Ensure Jewish Life and Learning are meaningfully integrated into all aspects of camp programming.
- Lead camp operations in the Camp Director’s absence.
- Engage with the URJ Camping System’s national cohort by participating in regional and national projects and professional development opportunities.
- Advance diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts, ensuring OSRUI reflects and lives out Jewish values and commitments to racial equity, inclusion, and belonging.
ENGAGEMENT, RECRUITMENT & RETENTION
- Actively support and participate in camper recruitment and retention efforts.
- Support and implement strategies for staff recruitment, hiring, onboarding, training, supervision, engagement, and retention.
- Build a strong, mission-driven staff community through intentional year-round engagement and professional development.
- Spearhead the design and facilitation of an impactful staff training, including pre-camp orientation and ongoing leadership development.
Who You Are
You are a strategic, people-centered leader who thrives in building inclusive, mission-driven communities. You bring experience in staff development, program design, and camper care and recruitment, and you are passionate about fostering belonging and integrating Jewish values into transformative camp experiences.
Keys to Success (the must-haves)
- Passion for Youth & Camp Programs: You have a deep passion for youth development and education, and you are genuinely excited about camp life. You understand the importance of the camp experience and align with the mission and goals of the camp.
- Leadership & Team Management: You have the ability to inspire, guide, and support staff teams year-round and during the summer, including recruitment, supervision, and professional development.
- Relationship Building & Community Engagement: You have strong interpersonal skills and excel at fostering meaningful connections with campers, families, staff, and community partners. You create inclusive, welcoming environments for people from diverse backgrounds.
- Program Development & Implementation: You have experience designing, planning, and executing engaging, mission-aligned programming for youth, families, and staff, both in the summer and throughout the year.
- Self-Management & Accountability: You are highly organized and able to manage complex logistics, including hiring, onboarding, compliance, and programs like the Cornerstone Fellowship. You ensure your work aligns with the camp’s and URJ’s broader goals.
- Collaborative Teamwork: You enjoy working as part of a team and recognize the value of collaboration. You approach conflict with a calm and respectful mindset, always seeking professional, positive resolutions that strengthen team dynamics.
- Commitment to Communities of Belonging: You are dedicated to fostering an environment that is equitable, diverse, and inclusive, ensuring every participant feels a true sense of belonging. You actively seek out and value diverse perspectives, incorporating them into decision-making, camp planning, and operations. You focus on creating spaces where everyone feels welcome and supported, regardless of their background, identity, or experience.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
- Ability to work on-site in Oconomowoc, WI for extended periods during the summer and at other peak times, with flexibility to work virtually at other times of year.
- Willingness to travel as needed for recruitment, URJ gatherings, and professional development.
- Ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, and extended hours during the summer camp season.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and comfort learning new platforms (e.g., CampMinder, Salesforce, Zoom, Slack).
- 5+ years of experience in youth development, camping, education, or related fields, with at least 2 years in a supervisory/management role.
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience required; advanced degree in education, Jewish studies, nonprofit management, or related field preferred.
About Us
??Every team member at the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) plays an essential role in our mission to create a whole, just, and compassionate world. Our team is creative, thoughtful, and innovative. Each member of the team is empowered to make meaningful contributions to achieving our shared goals. Our diverse team is made up of individuals with different skills and backgrounds and every team member is willing to take risks as well as take action to develop and create big ideas for the future of the Reform Movement. While this position focuses on a particular area of work, every team member is a vital part of our overall success.
?The Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) provides vision and voice to build strong communities that, together, transform the way people connect to Judaism and change the world. We acknowledge that due to racism, ableism, homophobia, and other forms of oppression, that our communities are not whole until everyone experiences a sense of belonging within the Jewish community. As the largest Jewish movement in North America, we stand for a Judaism that is inclusive and reflective of a wide range of identities and accept the responsibility of dismantling oppression both inside and outside of our communities. Through camping, youth experiences, programs, information sharing, and networking opportunities, our over 850 congregations and 14 residential camps create opportunities for our communities to enhance their capacity to build and expand community, engage in meaningful and authentic Jewish life, deepen Jewish learning, energize worship, pursue social justice and develop inspired leadership. Together, our employees and stakeholders, are creating Reform Judaism of today.?
Application Process
Apply online and include a one-page cover letter along with your resume, outlining your skills and experience and how you meet the essential functions and qualifications of the position. We look forward to hearing from you!
The URJ strives to be a welcoming and inclusive environment that acknowledges diversity as a critical strength. We promote strenuous policies and practices of equal opportunity and diversity, equity, and inclusion. It is our objective to recruit, hire, and retain the most qualified individuals including those of any race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation or identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic or status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Our equal employment philosophy applies to all aspects of employment, including recruitment, compensation, benefits, training, promotions, transfers, job benefits, and terminations. The URJ encourages applications from women, people of color, persons with disabilities, individuals who identify as LGBTQIA+, and other often underrepresented groups.