Executive Director, Camp Collins

Description

Mission 

To put the Christian principles of love, respect, honesty, responsibility, and service into practice through programs that build a healthy spirit, mind, and body for all. 

Position Summary 

The Executive Director, Camp Collins provides strategic and operational leadership for YMCA Camp Collins, a premier resident camp and outdoor education center of the YMCA of Columbia-Willamette. Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, this role carries full accountability for program excellence, financial sustainability, property stewardship, safety oversight, philanthropic growth, and long-term asset strategy. 

Camp Collins is one of the association’s most significant physical and brand assets. The Executive Director is responsible not only for annual performance, but for developing and advancing a long-term site and revenue vision that expands year-round utilization, strengthens retreat and rental growth, scales outdoor education partnerships, and sequences capital modernization responsibly. 

As a member of the Association Leadership Team, the Executive Director balances strong site-level ownership with system-wide alignment, collaborates closely with peer Executive Directors, and contributes to enterprise-wide strategy and performance. 

This position performs all other duties as assigned in support of the YMCA’s mission, strategic priorities, and operational needs. 

Our Culture 

The YMCA of Columbia-Willamette is grounded in love, integrity, and humility. We operate as one association, committed to accountability, creativity, and shared stewardship. 

The Executive Director models the association’s Five Operating Tenets: Love in Unity, Honesty in Insight, Responsibility in Action, Respect in Practice, and Service in Stewardship. Decisions are data-informed, equity-centered, risk-aware, and aligned with mission. This leader ensures consistent adherence to policies, safety standards, financial controls, and approved processes that protect campers, staff, volunteers, and the organization. 

Three-Year Camp Growth and Asset Strategy Expectations 

Within the first three years, the Executive Director is expected to: 

• Increase resident camp enrollment and year-round program participation  
• Expand retreat, rental, and conference center utilization to maximize year-round revenue  
• Scale outdoor education partnerships with school districts and community organizations  
• Develop and implement a long-term site and facility modernization plan aligned with association capital strategy  
• Strengthen financial sustainability through disciplined revenue growth and expense management  
• Grow philanthropic investment in camp programs, scholarships, endowment, and capital improvements  
• Enhance camper experience, safety outcomes, and program quality  
• Develop a strong leadership bench and seasonal talent pipeline  

This role owns both the annual operating plan and the long-term strategic positioning of Camp Collins as a mission-driven and financially strong association asset. 

Business Model Accountability and Operating Framework 

The Executive Director operates within a clearly defined association operating framework that balances site-level ownership with system-wide alignment. In partnership with the Chief Operating Officer and peer Executive Directors, this leader ensures disciplined strategy execution and responsible stewardship of resources and facilities. 

Operational, Financial, and Asset Leadership 

• Leads annual budgeting and long-range financial planning  
• Develops multi-year revenue growth strategies across resident camp, outdoor education, retreats, rentals, and specialty programming  
• Partners with the COO and CFO on financial reporting, forecasting, and capital planning  
• Ensures consistent use of business case and pro forma processes for new initiatives and facility investments  
• Evaluates program and revenue line performance using participation, margin, and mission impact data  
• Oversees property stewardship, maintenance prioritization, and phased capital modernization planning  
• Ensures compliance with safety regulations, licensing requirements, accreditation standards, and youth protection policies  
• Collaborates with peer Executive Directors to align staffing strategies and share best practices  

Decision Authority 

Within approved budget parameters and association standards, the Executive Director: 

• Approves camp programs and revenue initiatives that meet established business and safety criteria  
• Allocates seasonal and year-round staffing resources in partnership with Human Resources  
• Recommends pricing adjustments in collaboration with the COO and finance leadership  
• Develops partnership agreements and school contracts in alignment with senior leadership  
• Advances capital improvement recommendations in coordination with association leadership  

Strategic decisions affecting enterprise risk, major capital investments, or long-term contractual commitments are advanced in partnership with the COO. 

Association Collaboration and Colab Leadership 

The YMCA of Columbia-Willamette operates through cross-functional Colabs that drive alignment, innovation, and shared standards across the association. 

The Executive Director serves as an Executive Liaison to one assigned Colab and actively participates in others as appropriate. In this role, the Executive Director: 

• Represents enterprise priorities while bringing forward camp-specific insight  
• Ensures camp leadership and appropriate staff actively participate in relevant Colabs  
• Supports alignment of Colab initiatives with association strategy and operating standards  
• Shares innovation and best practices across regions and program areas  
• Reinforces One Association consistency in policy implementation, safety, and brand standards  

Participation in Colabs is an expectation of association leadership and contributes to system-wide effectiveness and collaboration. 

Crisis, Risk, and Safety Leadership 

Camp leadership carries significant operational and reputational risk. The Executive Director serves as the senior accountable leader for crisis management and emergency decision-making during resident camp sessions. 

Responsibilities include: 

• Establishing and reinforcing emergency preparedness protocols and staff training  
• Leading incident response coordination and documentation  
• Serving as primary on-site decision-maker during critical incidents  
• Partnering with association leadership on risk assessment and mitigation planning  
• Coordinating communication and media response in collaboration with designated association leaders  
• Ensuring full compliance with youth protection training, reporting standards, and regulatory requirements  

On-Site Leadership and Supervision Requirement 

The Executive Director is expected to be physically present on site during all operational hours when YMCA resident campers are in session, including evenings and overnight periods, unless prior approval is granted by the Chief Operating Officer. 

The Executive Director ensures qualified senior leadership coverage is designated and clearly documented at all times. During resident camp sessions, this role serves as the senior accountable leader for safety, emergency response, and operational decision-making. 

This position requires extended hours during peak summer and resident camp seasons and the ability to respond immediately to emergencies or critical incidents. 

Housing Requirement 

This position requires the Executive Director to reside on or near camp property during resident camp operations to support on-site leadership expectations. 

If on-site housing is provided, occupancy is a condition of employment and will be governed by a separate housing agreement outlining terms of use, responsibilities, and expectations. Occupancy of YMCA-provided housing, if applicable, is contingent upon continued employment and compliance with the terms of the housing agreement. 

Philanthropic Leadership 

Camp Collins carries strong emotional and alumni connection within the community. The Executive Director serves as a visible philanthropic leader for camp-specific priorities. 

Responsibilities include: 

• Driving the camp portion of the association’s annual philanthropy plan  
• Cultivating and stewarding major donors and scholarship supporters  
• Activating alumni engagement and volunteer ambassador networks  
• Partnering on capital and endowment strategy for long-term sustainability  
• Representing camp priorities in donor meetings and campaign planning  
• Ensuring philanthropic investment advances access, modernization, and asset strength  

Equity and Access Leadership 

Equity is a measurable leadership responsibility of this role. 

The Executive Director will: 

• Use participation and scholarship data to expand access for historically underserved communities  
• Build school and community partnerships that increase scholarship-supported enrollment  
• Align pricing, scholarship strategy, and outreach efforts to improve affordability and access  
• Ensure camp culture and staffing reflect the diversity of the communities served  
• Apply the association’s equity lens to program design and partnership development  
• Track and report progress toward access and inclusion goals  

Access, affordability, and belonging are operational expectations tied to camp performance. 

Staff and Leadership Development 

Leads a diverse team of year-round professionals and seasonal staff with clarity, relational strength, and accountability. 

Key expectations include: 

• Establishing clear performance standards  
• Conducting weekly leadership team meetings during peak seasons and maintaining consistent cadence year-round  
• Holding weekly one-on-one meetings with direct reports  
• Building trust-based relationships that foster collaboration and healthy feedback  
• Developing seasonal leaders and advancement pathways  
• Strengthening the association’s leadership pipeline through camp-based talent  
• Reinforcing compliance with required training and youth protection standards  

Leadership bench development and relational leadership effectiveness are measurable expectations. 

Volunteer and Advisory Leadership 

Partners with volunteer leaders and alumni to strengthen camp visibility and impact. 

Camp Collins maintains an Advisory Board that supports advocacy, community connection, and philanthropic growth. The Advisory Board serves in a non-governing capacity and does not hold fiduciary or governance authority. 

Responsibilities include: 

• Recruiting and developing advisory volunteers reflective of community diversity  
• Clarifying the advisory role in alignment with association governance structure  
• Strengthening engagement, accountability, and fundraising partnership  
• Building alignment between advisory leadership and association priorities  
• Representing camp priorities within appropriate association leadership channels  

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred  
• 5 to 7 years of progressive leadership experience in camp management, outdoor education, youth development, or nonprofit operations  
• Demonstrated P and L responsibility including budgeting, forecasting, and revenue growth  
• Experience leading seasonal workforce models and high-volume youth programming  
• Demonstrated experience in crisis leadership, risk management, and emergency response coordination  
• Minimum two years of direct experience working with and leading a volunteer board or advisory council  
• Demonstrated success strengthening volunteer engagement and driving philanthropic partnership  
• Proven ability to build high-performing teams and develop emerging leaders  
• Strong financial acumen and sound risk judgment  
• Commitment to equity, inclusion, and expanding access in outdoor and youth programming  

YMCA camp experience preferred. Relevant camp leadership or accreditation experience preferred. 

CPR, First Aid, AED, and required YMCA compliance trainings must be completed upon hire. 

Success Indicators 

• Enrollment and year-round utilization targets are achieved or exceeded  
• Camp operates within budget and demonstrates sustainable margin performance  
• Capital modernization milestones advance responsibly  
• Philanthropic goals for camp programs, scholarships, and capital priorities are achieved  
• Safety and compliance standards are consistently met  
• Access and scholarship participation increase over time  
• Staff retention and leadership development improve  
• Advisory engagement strengthens without governance confusion  

Equity and Inclusion Statement 

Ensures Camp Collins programs, staffing, partnerships, and access strategies reflect the YMCA’s commitment to equity, inclusion, affordability, and belonging for all communities. 

Overall Impact 

The Executive Director, Camp Collins ensures the camp remains a safe, strategically positioned, and financially strong asset of the YMCA of Columbia-Willamette. Through long-term asset stewardship, philanthropic leadership, disciplined operations, and effective crisis management, this role secures the camp’s relevance, accessibility, and sustainability for generations to come.