Director of Auxiliary Programs - Pomfret School

SPARC•Pomfret, CT

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Pomfret School is establishing the inaugural Director of Auxiliary Programs role, a strategic investment in its future. This is an opportunity for a visionary, entrepreneurial leader to build a thriving summer and auxiliary ecosystem on campus. The Director will have high autonomy and support from school leadership to transform strategic vision into operational reality, designing robust summer programs, optimizing facilities for external events, and elevating Pomfret’s brand reach. This position offers the chance to build mission-aligned programs, foster team culture, and drive non-tuition revenue, leaving a lasting legacy at an independent school. Pomfret School is an independent, coeducational, college preparatory boarding and day school serving 350 students in grades 9 through 12 and postgraduates, located on a 500-acre campus in Northeastern Connecticut. The school is known for its rigorous academics, robust athletics, and focus on arts and experiential learning, with an academic philosophy rooted in innovation, project-based learning, and close student-faculty mentorship. Founded in 1894, Pomfret enrolls 350 students with a diverse community, a 6:1 student-to-teacher ratio, and provides financial aid to approximately 40% of its student body. In response to a strategic audit, this role is designed to consolidate, coordinate, and grow auxiliary programs to generate net operating revenue, strengthen financial sustainability, and cultivate admissions applicants by engaging youth in high-quality campus experiences. The Director will be responsible for building a thriving summer program ecosystem and optimizing facility utilization for external rentals, events, conferences, and retreats.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required.
Minimum of 5 years of leadership experience in camp administration, event planning, hospitality, or auxiliary program management (preferably in an independent school or higher education setting).
Demonstrated experience in staff recruitment, training, and supervision.
Proven track record of generating non-tuition revenue and managing complex budgets.
Experience with camp management systems (e.g., CampBrain, Active Network), facility scheduling software, CRM tools, and basic digital marketing platforms.
An entrepreneurial mindset with a proactive, self-starting work ethic.
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills; ability to build positive relationships with parents, clients, internal departments, and community partners.
Strong crisis management skills and the ability to remain calm and decisive under pressure.
Deep alignment with the values, community standards, and educational mission of Pomfret School.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree or coursework in business administration, sports management, education, or hospitality is a plus.

Responsibilities

Design, launch, and scale a comprehensive summer program portfolio including day camps, overnight sports camps, STEM programs, and creative arts workshops.
Develop engaging, safe, and mission-aligned curricula for youth of varying age groups, managing all schedules, field trips, daily operations, and transportation.
Recruit, hire, train, schedule, and supervise camp directors, counselors, medical staff, and support personnel, cultivating a positive culture.
Ensure all youth and summer programs adhere to licensing laws, health regulations, and safety protocols.
Market Pomfret’s campus facilities (dormitories, dining hall, athletic complexes, performing arts spaces, outdoor areas) to external groups for events like weddings, athletic leagues, corporate retreats, and educational workshops.
Serve as the primary point of contact for external rental clients, managing inquiries, drafting rental agreements, collecting certificates of insurance, and enforcing campus guidelines.
Partner with Facilities/Operations, Event Manager, Dining Services, IT, and Athletics to ensure seamless operational support and facility turnover, minimizing conflicts with the academic calendar.
Develop annual business plans, establish KPIs, set revenue and net operating margin targets, manage operating budgets, and drive the financial performance of auxiliary programs.
Collaborate with the Communications and Marketing department to build a strong digital presence and execute targeted marketing campaigns for camper registration and rental inquiries.
Select and manage software platforms for camp registration, billing, and rental scheduling, handling contracts, customer service, and billing/refund management.
Gather feedback, track enrollment data, and deliver detailed financial and operational reports to school leadership annually.