Executive Director Camp Barbara

About the Role

YMCA of the Triangle is seeking an Executive Director to provide overall leadership and strategic direction for Camp Barbara, a new 92.5-acre overnight and day camp in Bailey, North Carolina. This role advances the camp’s mission through program excellence, community engagement, and sustainable growth, overseeing all aspects of operations including programs, staffing, facilities, and financial performance.

Responsibilities

• Ensure a fun, safe, engaging, and impactful camper experience aligned with overnight camping standards and the YMCA of the Triangle.
• Lead the planning, execution, and continuous improvement of year-round programs, focusing on quality, relevance, and financial growth and sustainability.
• Achieve and exceed enrollment goals through proactive recruitment strategies, partnerships, and community engagement.
• Collaborate with the Operations and Facilities Director to prioritize facility maintenance, capital projects, and future expansion needs.
• Build, manage, and strategically oversee an annual budget of $1.5M - $3M, ensuring robust financial controls, efficient resource allocation, and proactive forecasting.
• Represent Camp Barbara and maintain a professional tone in all communications with stakeholders, including parents, campers, staff, volunteers, user groups, and donors.
• Lead, supervise, and support the Camp Barbara Associate Director and seasonal staff, fostering a collaborative and inclusive culture.
• Champion professional development opportunities and create clear pathways for advancement within the team.
• Oversee the full employee life cycle—recruitment, onboarding, training, ongoing supervision, and offboarding—while promoting continuous learning and teamwork.
• Develop and maintain tools to support seasonal staff, such as the Staff Handbook and Staff Training Manual, in partnership with YOTA staff.
• Leverage partnerships with YMCA of the Triangle branches, Eastern North Carolina YMCAs, and other youth-serving organizations to increase participation and engagement.
• Advance the reach and impact of programs in the Bailey, NC region through advocacy and partnerships.
• Maintain accreditation through the American Camp Association and engage in broader industry networks, including ACA and Y-USA conferences and committees.
• Complete all required annual trainings related to safety, compliance, and child protection.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of five years of progressive leadership experience in overnight camping, human services, or a related field.
• Experience with an overnight camp operation is encouraged.
• Proven leadership and relationship-building skills.
• Demonstrated ability in program design, development, and delivery.
• Ability to actively coach, mentor, and lead teams through complex initiatives, change, and challenges.
• Strong financial management skills, including budget development, implementation, and evaluation.
• Outstanding communication skills—writing, presentation delivery, facilitating meetings, and public speaking, both in-person and virtually.
• Demonstrated ability to work with community partners, third-party organizations, and high-level volunteers.
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365 Office applications (e.g., Word, Teams, SharePoint, PowerPoint, OneDrive, Power BI, Excel, and Outlook).
• Ability to use data to drive business decisions and planning.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Strong collaboration and influential leadership skills.
• Understanding of business imperatives, strategic priorities, funding opportunities, and proven success in strategy development and execution.
• Demonstrated experience assessing situations, defining problems, collecting data, and drawing valid conclusions.
• Proven ability to address and resolve employee conflicts and work toward equitable solutions.
• Commitment to the YMCA Mission and Purpose, with the ability to model and teach unifying behavior to support Y culture.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and professionalism.
• Ability to manage and accomplish multiple projects with little supervision.