Jobs

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.

ENGAGEMENT AND BELONGING AT THAYER

“Since it first opened its doors in 1877, Thayer Academy has fostered a co-educational environment that affords equal access to students from a broad range of socio-economic circumstances, so they may pursue and develop their talents, interests, and passions. Thayer remains committed to providing a safe, welcoming, and inspiring environment for every student in our community. We value the commonalities that unite us and celebrate the diversity that makes this community stronger and more vibrant — a diversity that embraces, but is not limited to: race, religion, age, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, learning style, physical ability, family makeup, and socioeconomic status. At Thayer, we believe that every child deserves a genuine sense of belonging.”

Thayer’s 34 acre campus includes an impressive array of academic, athletic, and artistic facilities including

11 science labs 2 robotics labs 2 theaters 7 art studios 54 classrooms 2 libraries 2 collaborative design labs, 3 Gymnasiams, 11 athletic fields, 1 ice rink, Indoor and Outdoor Tennis Courts, Turf Fields, Track and outdoor swimming pools

THAYER AUXILIARY PROGRAMS

Camp Thayer Camp

Thayer is a co-ed day camp that runs for 8 weeks each summer with a wide variety of daily schedule options, providing children ages 3.9 to 14 with an engaging and stimulating setting where they can actively enjoy the summer. At Camp Thayer, dedicated teachers and counselors provide support and guidance to campers in a wide range of activities.

• Programs include:
  • Lower Camp
  • General Camp
  • Theater Specialty Camps
  • CIT Program

Thayer Academy Collaborative

The Thayer Academy Collaborative provides expanded learning opportunities to students from underrepresented groups with academic potential and curiosity. Through leveraging the Academy’s resources and opportunity-centered teaching, the Collaborative seeks to avert summer learning loss and academically empower students from Boston and the South Shore area.

Thayer Summer Sports Clinics

Thayer offers a range of summer sports clinics serving its students in grades 5 through 12. Sports offerings include basketball, field hockey, football, soccer, lacrosse, volleyball, and strength and conditioning. All clinics are led by Thayer head coaches.

Summer Academic Enrichment Program

Thayer Academy’s Summer Academic Enrichment Program offers week-long, faculty-led courses for students entering grades 3–12 that blend hands-on learning with real-world exploration. Students develop creativity, critical thinking, and practical skills through engaging topics such as entrepreneurship, filmmaking, podcasting, global studies, financial literacy, and creative writing.

Facility Rentals

Certain Thayer facilities are available for rent by the community and external groups. The year-round rentals are managed by the Director of Auxiliary Programs.

School Store

Thayer offers a school store that provides branded merchandise to the Thayer community. The store is managed by the Director of Auxiliary Programs.

DIRECTOR OF AUXILIARY PROGRAMS

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

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.

TO APPLY

SPARC, the Summer Programs and Auxiliary Revenue Collaborative, is acting on behalf of the school to recruit candidates for this position.

Candidates should apply online at: Thayer Academy Director of Auxiliary Programs – Application Your online application will require the following:

• Cover letter addressed to: Thayer Academy
• Resume or CV
• List of 4 professional references with contact information

Thank you for your interest in this role. You will be contacted upon receipt of your submission. If you have any questions, please contact SPARC at: leadershipsearch@sparcnational.com.