Director of Sports & Arts -Mardak

Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee•Milwaukee, WI

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Director of Sports & Arts provides strategic leadership, vision, and operational oversight for all agency-wide sports, recreation, arts, culture, and enrichment programming for Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee (BGCGM). This position is responsible for restoring and strengthening foundational member experiences that attract youth to the Clubs, increase participation, deepen engagement, and improve long-term member retention. The Director leads the implementation and growth of the Sports & Arts initiative and ensures alignment with BGCGM’s strategic priorities related to safety, belonging, skill development, creativity, positive relationships, and youth engagement. The Director develops and manages a centralized structure for sports and arts programming across the organization, cultivating high-quality experiences through staff coaching, community partnerships, contracted specialists, and cross-site collaboration. This role serves as the primary organizational liaison for Sports & Arts stakeholders and funding partners.

Requirements

Associates degree required.
Minimum of 5 years of leadership experience in youth development, recreation, sports management, arts programming, or nonprofit program leadership.
Demonstrated success leading multi-site programming initiatives and managing partnerships.
Experience supervising staff, contractors, coaches, artists, or program facilitators.
Proven experience developing systems, improving program quality, and managing complex projects.
Strong understanding of youth development principles and out-of-school-time programming.
Ability to build relationships with diverse community stakeholders and partners throughout Milwaukee.
Strong leadership, organizational, communication, and project management skills.
Ability to think strategically while also supporting implementation details.
Strong data analysis, budgeting, and reporting skills.
Ability to inspire, coach, and influence teams across multiple locations.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office and data management systems.
Valid Wisconsin driver’s license and ability to travel between Club locations.
Ability to achieve approval as BGCGM van driver to transport youth. Insurance and MVR background check approval is required.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree preferred in Recreation, Education, Arts Administration, Youth Development, Physical Education, Nonprofit Leadership, or related field.
Experience managing budgets and donor-funded initiatives preferred.

Responsibilities

Lead the vision, implementation, and continuous improvement of BGCGM’s Sports & Arts initiative across all Club sites.
Develop a comprehensive agency-wide strategy for sports, recreation, arts, culture, and enrichment programming that aligns with BGCGM’s Member Experience framework and strategic plan.
Create scalable systems, standards, curricula, toolkits, and implementation models that ensure consistent, high-quality experiences across Clubs.
Design innovative and engaging programming opportunities that increase member participation, belonging, retention, and family engagement.
Ensure programming reflects youth interests, emerging trends, and culturally relevant experiences for Milwaukee youth.
Oversee agency-wide sports leagues, recreational programming, arts initiatives, cultural programming, performances, showcases, camps, tournaments, and enrichment opportunities.
Support traditional and non-traditional sports opportunities, including but not limited to basketball, soccer, flag football, esports, outdoor recreation, swimming, kayaking, and specialty activities.
Support visual arts, performing arts, music, dance, digital arts, cultural experiences, and creative expression opportunities across the organization.
Develop systems to celebrate and showcase youth talents and accomplishments through performances, exhibitions, competitions, and community events.
Develop and maintain strategic partnerships with Milwaukee-area organizations, artists, coaches, instructors, cultural institutions, schools, and community partners.
Recruit, manage, and evaluate contractors, artists-in-residence, coaches, instructors, and specialty facilitators to support high-quality programming across BGCGM sites.
Ensure all contractors and partners meet BGCGM compliance, safety, onboarding, and risk-management requirements.
Expand partnerships that create access to unique experiences, certifications, field trips, competitions, and career exposure opportunities for youth.
Train, coach, and support Club staff in the implementation of sports and arts programming.
Create systems and resources that increase staff confidence, consistency, and program quality across all sites.
Foster a collaborative agency-wide culture among staff leading sports, recreation, arts, and enrichment activities.
Facilitate regular meetings, professional development opportunities, and cross-site collaboration.
Ensure all programming environments are safe, inclusive, welcoming, fun, and developmentally appropriate.
Support BGCGM’s goals related to member participation, attendance, engagement, retention, and overall member experience.
Develop metrics and evaluation systems to monitor participation trends, program quality, youth outcomes, and impact.
Utilize data and feedback to continuously improve programming and identify emerging needs.
Develop and manage annual Sports & Arts budgets in partnership with organizational leadership.
Ensure responsible stewardship of donor-designated funding and compliance with all grant and funding requirements.
Prepare annual program plans, budget updates, reports, presentations, and outcome summaries for organizational leadership, Board members, and funding partners.
Monitor expenses, contracts, supplies, equipment, and resource allocation across program areas.
Maintain strong visibility throughout the organization and community as a leader in youth development, enrichment programming, and member engagement.
Support organizational fundraising, donor engagement, site visits, and special events as requested.
Collaborate closely with Club leadership, operations teams, teen programming, camp staff, and Member Experience leadership to ensure alignment across all youth programming efforts.