Director of Programming

Position Summary

The Director of Programming leads the design, development, and delivery of Herzl Camp’s programming. As a member of the year-round professional team, this role serves as the creative and operational force behind specialty areas, activities, and programs that define a summer at Herzl. This role blends big-picture creativity with hands-on execution; it requires an individual capable of conceptualizing a camp-wide special event, articulating that vision clearly, and executing it effectively from inception to completion.

Major Responsibilities

Off-Season 

• Design engaging, high-quality summer programs and activities that reflect camper interests, teach new skills, and align with Herzl's mission, while strengthening existing offerings and developing new options that maintain the program's freshness and distinctiveness.
• Create standards of excellence and a working “curriculum” for each specialty area, along with methods to evaluate whether each area meets those standards.
• Participate in recruiting, interviewing, and hiring summer staff, including international staff.
• Recruit and manage relationships with outside consultants and vendors who provide specialized expertise to program areas.
• Actively participate in year-round planning, including off-season program design, budgeting for program areas, and preparation for staff and camper arrival.
• Build strong relationships with campers, parents, and staff, and represent the camp professionally at recruitment events, staff training sessions, and community gatherings.

Camp Season

• Provide hands-on supervision, coaching, and ongoing evaluation of specialty-area staff throughout the summer, including regular check-ins and real-time feedback. Verify and maintain required certifications (e.g., aquatics, ropes course).
• Execute special-event days and camp-wide experiences, and oversee out-of-camp trips, including logistics, transportation, staffing, risk management, and communication with staff.
• Manage the process for assigning campers to activities and scheduling cabin specialty programming, driving strong utilization and participation across specialty areas.
• Serve as a visible, engaged member of the camp leadership team. Partner with the Director of Camp & Culture and fellow senior staff on daily operational decisions. Contribute to summer staff training and team culture building alongside the rest of the leadership team.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of relevant leadership experience in the residential camping field or related youth work.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Demonstrated experience designing and running group programming for children and teens.
• Prior experience supervising and evaluating staff, including in specialized or credentialed program areas.
• Strong organizational skills; equally comfortable conceptualizing a significant event and executing it exceptionally.
• Passion for Jewish camping and connection to Jewish values and Zionism.

Position Specifics

• Full-time, year-round position based in Minneapolis, MN, with required residence at camp in Webster, WI for the summer season.
• Some evening, weekend, and travel commitments during the off-season for recruitment, training, and planning.
• Work extended and irregular hours during the camp season, including evenings and weekends, consistent with the standard responsibilities of residential camp leadership.
• Generous, flexible PTO.
• Health Insurance Coverage (medical/dental).
• Retirement plan with employer match upon eligibility.
• Complimentary childcare/camp tuition during the camp season.
• A collaborative and enjoyable work environment.

Our Mission & Values

Mission
Herzl Camp is a welcoming, independent camp where young people become self-reliant, create lasting Jewish friendships, and develop a commitment and love for Judaism and Israel. Herzl Camp fosters a vibrant Jewish community of Jewish leaders.

Core Values

• Community — We make connections and nurture our Herzl family.
• Pluralism — We are pluralistic in our Judaism; we embrace the people, the land, the State, and the story of Israel.
• Leadership — We provide tools, training, and the opportunity to lead, transforming campers and staff into tomorrow's passionate Jewish leaders.
• Inclusion — We celebrate individuality and inclusion, encouraging everyone to be part of something larger than themselves.
• Belonging — We embrace ongoing and inter-generational shared experiences, from the ridiculous to the sublime, to foster lasting friendships, build identity and community, and create a sense of belonging throughout our lives.