Director of Auxiliary Programs - Thayer Academy

Thayer Academy is seeking an experienced Director of Auxiliary Programs to lead and strategically grow a diverse portfolio of mission-aligned programs, including Camp Thayer, the Thayer Academy Collaborative, Summer Sports Camps, the Summer Academic Enrichment Program, the school store, and facility rentals. Reporting to the Chief Financial and Operations Officer, this newly established leadership role offers an outstanding opportunity for an entrepreneurial and collaborative leader to leverage Thayer's exceptional people, programs, and campus resources while expanding the school's impact and generating meaningful non-tuition revenue. The Director will strengthen existing programs, cultivate new opportunities for innovation and growth, and serve as a key partner in advancing Thayer Academy's long-term strategic and financial goals.

The School

Located next to Braintree's historic district and just up the hill from the MBTA's final Red Line stop is the historic 34-acre campus of Thayer Academy. Since 1877, this coeducational day school for grades 5-12 (Middle School, grades 5-8; Upper School, grades 9-12) has cultivated an enabling and empowering environment where each student is affirmed, supported, and challenged. Thayer continues to be a place where tradition and innovation meet, and where students form lifelong relationships with one another and with inspiring teachers who care deeply about their students' personal growth and academic success.

Thayer prides itself on its vibrant and varied community as an urban/suburban school that has embraced opportunity and diversity from its founding class nearly 150 years ago. This history of diversity is reflected today with a student body hailing from more than 70 towns in Massachusetts and several countries around the world. And with more than 35% of students receiving financial aid, Thayer is a socio-economically diverse community that looks and feels like the world beyond its doors.

Thayer is rooted in the intentionally holistic education of its students, who are viewed not solely as athletes or academics, but as whole individuals with affinities and talents in many areas. Unique to Thayer, because of deliberately coordinated scheduling, it is possible to be both a varsity athlete and sing on stage in the school musical - students are not forced to choose one path or another. The resulting community found at the Academy is vibrant and affirming, the culmination of students working together in the classroom, on the playing fields, and on the stage. There is a supportive and collaborative camaraderie that pervades the halls and campus - one where students view their classmates as partners, encouraging one another to discover their hidden talents and develop them into lifelong strengths.

Job Description

Reporting to the Chief Financial and Operations Officer, the Director of Auxiliary Programs is responsible for strategic planning, operations, market development, program design, budgeting, and management of all Thayer Auxiliary Programs including Camp Thayer, Thayer Academy Collaborative, Summer Sports Camps, Summer Academic Enrichment Program, the school store, and the rental of Thayer facilities.

Strategic Program Development

Build vibrant programs that achieve desired admissions goals, annual and long-term net revenue targets, and support the school's mission and program.

• Assess, enhance, and where appropriate, expand summer and auxiliary program offerings aligned with Thayer's mission to meet the physical, emotional, intellectual, and social needs of current and prospective participants
• Collaborate with school leadership, administration, and faculty to ensure all summer and auxiliary programs align with the school's mission and educational philosophy
• Annually seek and analyze input from campers/students, families, and staff regarding the quality of their program experience
• Explore opportunities for leveraging the intellectual and physical assets of the school
• Seek to identify partnerships that may enhance program potential

Program Management

Ensure all summer and auxiliary program participants have a safe and positive experience.

• Oversee ongoing curriculum development for all summer programs in coordination with program directors
• Ensure all programs are of the highest quality and provide an appropriately safe, caring, and enriching environment for all participants
• Champion an exceptional customer experience from inquiry through registration, participation, and follow-up
• Establish routines, provide positive guidance, and enforce policies and procedures, including disciplinary policies, in accordance with Thayer's stated values
• Provide ongoing supervision and support of all faculty and staff of the summer and auxiliary programs
• Develop and oversee all safety and health protocols in coordination with school risk management plan
• Manage all rentals of school facilities in coordination with school calendar and facility availability

Financial Management

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

• Prepare annual budget covering all aspects of program expenses and revenues to ensure profitability
• Monitor revenues and expenses in accordance with budgetary restrictions for bottom line performance across all programs
• Continually strive to generate and grow net revenue in support of the school
• Work with individual coaches and teachers to ensure profitability of their programs
• Develop annual pricing strategies based on market analysis, program demand, and financial objectives
• Establish appropriate compensation for all auxiliary program employees in coordination with the Chief Financial and Operations Officer
• Establish and manage contracts with all third party partners and vendors

Marketing and Communications

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

• In coordination with the Marketing department, develop and implement a comprehensive marketing strategy for all auxiliary programs
• Ensure that auxiliary programs have an effective and accurate web presence including the website and social media
• Plan and coordinate the publishing and advertising of marketing documents, both digital and print
• 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 summer and auxiliary program constituencies that effectively provide updated information and a sense of community
• Cultivate relationships with community organizations, youth organizations, nonprofits, educational partners, and local businesses to expand programming, increase campus utilization, and create new revenue opportunities

Administration and Operations

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

• Coordinate and organize registration processes for summer and auxiliary programs (i.e. rosters, processing of forms and confirmation letters, parent communication, etc.)
• Maintain accurate and comprehensive summer and auxiliary program database
• Prepare reports for and communicate with school leadership to ensure awareness of summer and auxiliary program performance
• Ensure that summer and auxiliary programs are in compliance with all applicable regulations of licensing and governing entities

Human Resources

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

• Manage all year round auxiliary program employees including summer program directors and school store manager
• Work collaboratively with the Assistant Director of Auxiliary Programs to recruit, hire, and train all summer and auxiliary program seasonal and part time employees
• Ensure that all necessary and required employment forms, including background checks, are completed and on file
• Oversee the annual performance evaluation process of all auxiliary programs coaches, teachers, and staff
• Coordinate and communicate payroll as needed with the Business Office

Other Duties

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

Success in this role will be measured by growth in participation, customer satisfaction, net revenue, operational excellence, and alignment with Thayer Academy's mission.

Desired Qualifications

Education and Professional Background

• Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree in Education, Business, Recreation Management, Nonprofit Management, or a related field preferred.
• Significant leadership experience overseeing auxiliary programs, summer programs, youth-serving organizations, recreation enterprises, or other mission-driven business operations. Independent school experience is valued but not required.
• Demonstrated success leading complex, multi-faceted programs with responsibility for strategic planning, operations, financial performance, and organizational growth.
• Proven ability to recruit, develop, coach, and evaluate both year-round and seasonal staff while building collaborative, high-performing teams.

Strategic, Financial, and Operational Leadership

• Strong business acumen with experience developing and managing multi-program budgets, establishing financial goals, monitoring performance, and driving sustainable net revenue growth.
• Demonstrated ability to identify new program opportunities, assess market demand, develop business cases, and successfully launch mission-aligned initiatives.
• Comfortable partnering with senior school leadership and the Business Office on budgeting, pricing, forecasting, contracts, risk management, and long-range planning.

Program Development and Innovation

• Visionary and entrepreneurial leader with a proven track record of designing, launching, and growing innovative programs that strengthen both organizational mission and financial sustainability.
• Ability to thoughtfully leverage institutional assets, including people, facilities, and community partnerships, to expand impact and create new opportunities for engagement and revenue.
• Committed to continuous improvement through data analysis, participant feedback, market research, and thoughtful program evaluation.
• Demonstrated ability to leverage technology, automation, and emerging tools to improve operational efficiency, customer engagement, and decision making.

Leadership and Relationship Building

• Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to build trust and credibility with students, families, faculty, staff, alumni, community partners, and school leadership.
• Collaborative, relationship-oriented leader who thrives in a cross-functional environment and works effectively across academic, operational, admissions, athletics, and business office teams.
• Skilled at balancing strategic leadership with hands-on execution, fostering a culture of accountability, innovation, customer service, and continuous improvement.

Personal Qualities and Other Requirements

• Highly organized, adaptable, and capable of managing numerous priorities and initiatives simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
• Entrepreneurial mindset combined with sound judgment, professionalism, integrity, and a strong commitment to excellence.
• Deep commitment to providing exceptional experiences for students, families, faculty, community members, and external partners.
• Proficiency with Google Workspace, Microsoft Excel, registration and CRM platforms, and other business management software; comfortable learning new technologies and leveraging data to improve operations.
• Willingness to work a flexible schedule, including occasional evenings, weekends, and extended hours during peak auxiliary programming seasons.
• Must successfully complete all required background checks and demonstrate a commitment to fostering an inclusive, welcoming, and safe community aligned with Thayer Academy's mission and values.

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy

Thayer Academy is an equal opportunity employer. The Academy complies with and adheres to all state and federal anti-discrimination laws with respect to its employment practices. Thayer Academy does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, national origin or ancestry, age, or disability, or any other category protected under state or federal law. This policy extends to recruiting, hiring, compensation, benefits, assignment, working conditions, promotions, transfers, termination, re-employment, education, tuition assistance, employee treatment, and all other terms, conditions and privileges of employment. All employment-related decisions are made on a nondiscriminatory basis so as to further the principle of equal employment opportunity.