Cushing Academy has recently committed to the creation of this new leadership role as a strategic step towards the growth and improvement of its summer programs. While the school continues to operate longstanding and well-respected summer programs, it simultaneously recognizes the opportunity to develop and grow new programs to achieve untapped potential. The position will benefit from strong leadership support and regular participation in the school’s senior leadership team. The new Director of Auxiliary Programs will report to the Chief Financial Officer and work collaboratively across other departments of the school including the Business Office, Athletics, Marketing, and Admissions.

Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer, the Director of Auxiliary Programs is responsible for strategic planning, operations, market development, program design, promotion, budgeting, monitoring, and evaluation of all Cushing Academy Summer Session Programs. There is a unique opportunity for the Director to establish new programs to benefit the Cushing community and support the school’s mission.

Essential Functions and Key Objectives

Strategic Program Development

Build vibrant programs that achieve annual and long-term net revenue growth targets, support the school’s mission and program, and build Cushing Academy’s market exposure.

• Collaborate with school leadership, administration, and faculty to ensure all programs align with and support Cushing’s mission and philosophy
• Design, enhance, and expand program offerings that align with long-term strategic programs vision and financial objectives
• Continually explore innovative opportunities and strategic partnerships for leveraging the intellectual and physical assets of the school
• Continually explore innovative opportunities for supporting school admissions and building the school’s exposure in the independent boarding school market
• Annually seek and analyze input from participants and staff regarding the quality of their program experience
• Seek to identify partnerships that may enhance summer programing potential

Program Management

Ensure that program participants have a safe and positive experience such that they return and/or recommend our programs to others.

• Oversee and manage all summer session programs and auxiliary services including but not limited to: camps (Day & Overnight) extended day programs, private lessons etc.
• Provide an appropriately safe, caring, and enriching environment for all program participants
• Establish routines, provide positive guidance, and enforce policies and procedures, including disciplinary policies, in accordance with Cushing’s stated values
• Provide ongoing training, supervision, support, and professional development of all faculty and staff of programs
• Develop and oversee all safety and health protocols in coordination with school risk management plan
• Collaborate with Facilities Department on campus rentals by creating policies, protocols and procedures for facilities usage
• Develop pricing, in coordination with the Chief Financial Officer, for all events and programs on Cushing’s campus beyond the regular school day and ensure all events and programs generate an appropriate margin

Financial Management

Ensure that the Programs’ financial performance meets or exceeds budgeted expectations.

• Prepare an annual budget covering all aspects of program revenues and expenses to ensure profitability
• Monitor revenues and expenses on a monthly basis, and in accordance with budgetary restrictions, for bottom line performance across all programs
• Provide the Business Office with all the information necessary to complete the financials in an accurate and timely manner
• Work with individual program directors to ensure profitability of their programs
• Establish appropriate compensation for all summer program employees in coordination with the Chief Financial Officer

Marketing, Communication, and Recruitment

Effectively promote the programs to achieve the enrollment and revenue targets.

• In coordination with the Director of Marketing & Communications, develop and implement a comprehensive marketing strategy for all programs that aligns with the school’s strategic branding initiatives
• Ensure that all programs have an effective and accurate internet presence including website, social media, and digital marketing that align with the school’s branding
• Plan and coordinate the publishing and advertising of program catalogues, brochures, and schedules
• Manage all public relations and marketing initiatives including open houses, mailers, brochures, camp fairs, and ad placement to promote and communicate the programs to prospective and enrolled participants
• Write and distribute regular communications among program constituencies that effectively provide updated information and a sense of community
• Serve as primary recruiter to all programs and manage the activities of others charged with recruitment
• Work closely with the Admissions Office to identify and follow-up with participants who have strong potential to convert to Cushing Academy student prospects
• As appropriate, accompany Admissions Office staff to regional marketing events and receptions

Administration and Operations

Ensure that the administration of the programs is efficient and effective.

• Oversee registration for all events and programs
• Ensure the programs database is accurate and comprehensive
• Prepare reports for, and communicate with, Cushing Academy leadership to ensure awareness of program performance
• Execute and oversee all contracts related to programs
• Ensure that all programs are in compliance with all applicable regulations of licensing and governing entities

Human Resources

Hire and manage to build a stable, effective, customer-focused team.

• In collaboration with the Human Resources and program directors:
• Recruit, hire, and train all Cushing auxiliary program employees
• Ensure that all necessary and required employment forms, including background checks, are completed and on file
• Coordinate and communicate payroll to the business office as needed
• Coordinate and conduct annual performance evaluations of all program’s personnel

Other Duties

• Participate in special assignments and projects as needed to improve school operations (i.e., housing, buildings and grounds, safety, accreditation, committees, etc.)
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Chief Financial Officer and or the Head of School.

Successful candidates will have the energy and ambition to manage and develop Cushing Academy’s Summer Programs and Auxiliary Services to the highest degree of educational excellence. They will be organized, attentive to detail, and motivated by authentic interest in the experience of the participants in the programs. They will be driven by an entrepreneurial spirit, while being resourceful, innovative, forward thinking and committed.

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required to perform essential functions of the job:

• 5-7 years of summer/auxiliary program experience or equivalent
• 3-5 years of progressively responsible experience managing summer/auxiliary programs or equivalent with residential/dormitory experience
• The ability to think strategically in developing, enhancing, and refining summer/auxiliary programs in the broader context of a mission-driven independent school, boarding school experience preferred
• Bachelor’s degree required
• A high level of integrity and an extraordinary work ethic
• A demonstrated commitment to creating and supporting diverse, equitable, and inclusive communities
• A vested interest in the care and needs of adolescents
• Strong financial acumen with demonstrated ability to develop and manage a budget
• Excellent project management and organizational skills
• Expertise in marketing summer or similar programs using a variety of technology resources including social media
• Well-developed collaborative work style: ability to interact with employees at all levels of the community
• Ability to understand youth development programming, applicable regulations/laws, trends, best practices and new developments in the field
• A creative self-starter who brings wisdom, perspective, confidence and excellent problem-solving skills to the position
• A high level of cultural competency and a commitment and ability to work with a diverse community
• Knowledge and skill to negotiate and manage contracts
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to quickly and regularly adjust strategy based on the school’s needs
• An independent and strategic thinker capable of understanding the full scope of projects while seeing individual tasks through to completion
• Experience with Microsoft Office products, Google applications, database management, website development, and digital media
• A positive outlook, and a sense of humor