Leadership Program Director

Be the Spark! Join our dynamic team at YMCA Camp Pine Crest, where every day is different, and you will always be engaged with meaningful work!

YMCA Camping and Outdoor Education offers outdoor experiences that foster personal growth and build community. After taking part in our programs, children and youth return home more confident, independent, and with new friendships. YMCA Camp Pine Crest is an overnight camp serving children, families, and organizations through naturally focused programs that embody the mission, vision, and outcomes of the YMCA. Camp Pine Crest is made up of 650 acres of Muskoka wilderness surrounded by 3 interconnected lakes with 8km of shoreline; has over 26km of hiking trails and 7,500 sq. ft. of dock and has 60 buildings.

The Leadership Program Director coordinates and delivers leadership programs that support participant development through onsite programming and extended backcountry experiences. The position works with Leadership Trainers and the Outdoor Pursuits Department to support intentional, age-appropriate programming, experiential learning, mentorship, reflection, and skill development. The role supervises assigned Leadership Trainers, supports participant care and the resolution of escalated concerns, and contributes to camp-wide operations as a member of the Camp Resource Team.

In this role, you will:

• Coordinate the organization and delivery of leadership programs, including onsite experiences and extended backcountry trips, to support leadership development, resilience, confidence, independence, and personal growth.
• Supervise assigned Leadership Trainers by providing training, coaching, mentorship, motivation, ongoing feedback, performance monitoring, and mid- and end-of-summer performance appraisals.
• Support Leadership Trainers in developing and delivering engaging, age-appropriate program plans and regularly participate in programming to provide guidance and support.
• Oversee the care and well-being of participants in leadership programs and support the management of participant concerns, behavioural issues, conflicts, and escalated incidents.
• Communicate with parents and families as required and collaborate with camp leaders to support positive participant outcomes.
• Plan and facilitate leadership section nights, cabin programs, stewardship projects, camp placements, skill development opportunities, and structured reflection for participants.
• Work with the Outdoor Pursuits Department to support trip planning that aligns with leadership program development goals.
• Organize, distribute, and collect Leadership Appraisals, postcards, and birthday cards.
• Build relationships with members, staff, volunteers, and community partners.
• Support camp-wide operations as a member of the Camp Resource Team, including dish crew, Staff of the Day duties, inclusion support, program and cabin support, waterfront lifeguarding support, and Driver-on-Call shifts, as assigned.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

You bring:

• First Aid and CPR certification that meets Ontario Workplace Safety and Insurance Board requirements and YMCA policies.
• National Lifeguard (NL) Certification for the duration of the contract.
• Minimum 19 years of age by the start of the contract.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Willingness to obtain an F Class license with the support of Pine Crest.
• Minimum 3 years of counselling experience or directly translatable experience working with children and youth.
• 2 years' experience supervising staff preferred.
• Experience with canoeing and backcountry camping is an asset.
• Ability to work effectively with others and independently to achieve optimal results.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a team environment.
• Well-developed interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with the ability to establish rapport and communicate effectively with members, staff, and volunteers.
• Ability to provide mentorship and guidance to both inexperienced and seasoned staff.
• Ability to deliver feedback in a timely, professional, and constructive manner.
• Flexibility regarding assigned working hours, including days, evenings, overnights, weekends, and holidays required.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and building a sense of belonging.

If you are interested in this position and do not possess the necessary certifications and require assistance in attaining them, please indicate in your cover letter. Certain certifications may be eligible for Financial Assistance through the YMCA of Greater Toronto, or through referral to additional programs outside the YMCA that offer similar support. Eligibility is to be determined on an individual basis.

What you need to succeed:

• Commitment to the YMCA’s Mission, Vision and Values.
• A commitment to uphold strong, safeguarding practices that protect the safety, well-being, inclusion of children, and youth.
• YMCA Competencies: Accountable, Relationship-Builder, Improvement-Orientated, Team Player & Leader, Equity and Wellbeing Promoter.

Why work for the YMCA?

The YMCA of Greater Toronto is a charity that ignites the potential in people, helping them grow, lead, and give back to their communities. We are committed to helping our employees reach their full potential and are recognized as a great place to work. We offer meaningful jobs and the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of individuals and the health of our communities. See what you can expect from the YMCA here.

Joining the Y means contributing to over 170 years of providing opportunities for people to shine through programs and services, such as health and fitness, licensed child care, camps, employment and immigrant services, education and training, and services for youth, families, and seniors. Learn more in our 2025–2030 strategic plan, Greater Together, which outlines how we are focused on building communities where people feel healthier and more connected to their neighbours.

The YMCA of Greater Toronto is committed to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging. We strive to remove barriers to employment and recognize that diverse staff who reflect the communities we work in enrich the experiences of our participants and our team. As an equal opportunity employer, we invite applications from all qualified candidates including racialized people/people of colour, Indigenous Peoples, disabled people/people with disabilities and members of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities.

If we can make the recruitment process more accessible for you, please let us know when we reach out about a job opportunity so we can work with you to accommodate your needs.

In keeping with our commitment to safety and child protection, job offers are contingent on the successful completion of a Police Records Check. Within the first four months and every three years thereafter, a Vulnerable Police Records Check is required. Learn more about these checks here.

The YMCA only considers applicants who are legally entitled to work in Canada. We thank all applicants for their interest, however, due to the volume of applications we receive, we can only contact candidates who are selected for an interview.

Check out the next steps in our recruitment process and see what others are saying about working at the YMCA.