The Louis August Jonas Foundation (LAJF), which operates Camp Rising Sun (CRS) and The Ethical Leadership Experience (TELE), seeks a strategic and values-driven Director of Programs to lead and strengthen LAJF’s portfolio of in-person and virtual leadership-development programs for a global community of young leaders.

Reporting directly to the Executive Director and serving as a key member of the senior leadership team, the Director of Programs will lead program design, implementation, evaluation, and continuous improvement across LAJF’s core program areas, including Camp Rising Sun, TELE, and Young Alumni programming. The Director will supervise the Camp Director and a year-round program team of three staff members, in addition to seasonal program staff and facilitators.

This individual will supervise program staff and seasonal leadership, strengthen program systems and staff development practices, and ensure LAJF’s programs are safe, inclusive, and aligned with the organization’s mission and strategic priorities. The Director will also play an important role in shaping LAJF’s next phase of program evolution as the organization enters a new strategic planning cycle.

About Us

The Louis August Jonas Foundation operates two leadership programs for young people: Camp Rising Sun (CRS) and The Ethical Leadership Experience (TELE). Both programs bring together participants from countries around the world and focus on developing compassionate and responsible leadership through experiential learning, dialogue, and cross-cultural exchange.

Camp Rising Sun (CRS)

Camp Rising Sun is a 95-year-old experiential leadership program that welcomes participants on a full scholarship to Rhinebeck, New York. Each summer, approximately 130 participants from more than 30 countries attend CRS for four weeks of leadership development, cultural exchange, and collaborative learning.

The program is delivered by a year-round program team of three staff members and a seasonal staff of approximately 25–30 educators and facilitators, all under the leadership of the Director of Programs.

The Ethical Leadership Experience (TELE)

TELE is a transformative two-week online program that brings together 80-120 teenagers from more than 30 countries to learn, lead, and build real friendships across borders. Participants design and teach their own workshops, collaborate on creative projects with peers from completely different parts of the world, and spend two weeks asking big questions about justice, change, and what it means to lead with integrity. TELE is a self-sustaining program started in 2020 that operates on a pay what you can sliding scale basis. TELE is delivered by a seasonal lead coordinator and facilitator and 2-3 seasonal facilitators, all under the leadership of the Director of Programs. The outgoing Director of Programs will continue to offer support to this program as it grows.

Following their participation, CRS and TELE alumni remain connected to LAJF through lifelong educational and professional networks grounded in shared values of ethical leadership and global responsibility. This lifelong commitment is vitally supported by the Recent Camper Network program, which is also part of the program portfolio under the DOP.

Having recently completed a strategic planning cycle that strengthened our program ecosystem, LAJF is now entering a new phase of program growth and evolution. This includes deeper alumni engagement, expanded year-round programming, and continued refinement of our leadership development models.

Job Duties

Strategic Program Leadership & Oversight

Contribute to setting and executing the strategic direction for LAJF’s program portfolio
Identify opportunities to strengthen program impact, participant experience, and mission alignment
Maintain and improve scalable systems that support program growth while maintaining program quality
Cultivate relationships with educators, facilitators, and mission-aligned partners
Represent the Program Team in leadership meetings, board discussions, and organizational events

Program Design, Implementation & Evaluation

Oversee program planning, curriculum design, and delivery for CRS, TELE, and Young Alumni programming
Strengthen program evaluation tools and use quantitative and qualitative feedback to inform continuous improvement
Design and implement evidence-based program enhancements and innovations
Maintain and improve program documentation and materials that support consistent, high-quality delivery
Ensure program activities are inclusive and accessible to participants from diverse backgrounds

TELE Program Oversight & Facilitator Management:

Recruit, train, and support TELE facilitators, building on an existing facilitator team
Participate in TELE programming sessions
Lead reflection and evaluation processes that strengthen the program year over year

Team Leadership, Hiring & Development

Supervise and support a year-round program team of three staff members — the Camp Director and two Program Coordinators
Provide ongoing support and supervision to the Camp Director during the summer program cycle
Lead hiring processes for program staff and facilitators as needed, including onboarding and training for new team members
Provide ongoing coaching, performance feedback, and professional development to program staff
Strengthen staff onboarding, training systems, and program documentation
Manage program planning workflows using project management and communication tools

Participant Safety & Wellbeing

Partner with the Camp Director to maintain strong safety systems for residential and year-round programming
Support staff training in adolescent development, mental health, and inclusive community practices
Provide coaching and guidance as staff implement program interventions and participant support strategies

Program Budgeting & Operational Planning

Working closely with the Director of Operations, the Director of Programs will:

Develop and manage program budgets, ensuring that program plans align with available resources and that programs operate within approved budgets
Support operational planning and staffing models
Contribute to program forecasting, planning, and decision-making

Board and Committee Partnership

Liaise with the Program Committee and Strategic Planning Committee
Prepare program reports and updates for Board meetings
Participate in Finance & Investment Committee meetings when appropriate

Communications & Program Storytelling

Collaborate with the communications function to highlight program impact
Contribute content for newsletters and program updates
Support development of messaging related to programs and participant experiences

What Success Looks Like In This Role

During the first year in this role, the Director of Programs will:

Build strong relationships with the program team and seasonal staff leadership
Support the successful delivery of CRS and TELE programming
Strengthen systems for program planning, evaluation, and staff training
Identify opportunities to improve program impact and participant experience
Contribute to the organization’s next strategic planning cycle

Required Candidate Qualifications

Passion for LAJF’s mission, history, and future plans and a commitment to youth leadership development
8–10 years of progressive experience in youth development, education, experiential learning, camp leadership, or nonprofit program leadership
Experience supervising staff, including year-round or seasonal teams
Demonstrated ability to build systems, workflows, and consistent program delivery across multiple programs
Strong project management and organizational skills, including the ability to manage multiple priorities and collaborate across teams
Experience with program evaluation and continuous improvement practices
Strong cross-cultural competence and experience working with diverse and international communities
Strong written and interpersonal communication skills
Familiarity with youth protection practices and residential program safety
Willingness to complete background checks and required youth protection training
Ability to travel and work on-site during key program periods
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required; Master’s degree preferred
Proficiency with Google Workspace and common program management tools

Personal Qualities

Experience working in international and intercultural environments and a commitment to ethical leadership practices
Positive and personable, with a warm, steady, mission-centered leadership style
Self-motivated and entrepreneurial
Comfortable making decisions and leading through ambiguity
High integrity and strong judgment, with the ability to navigate sensitive interpersonal dynamics
Collaborative and low-ego, able to partner effectively across teams
Flexible and adaptable in a dynamic organizational environment
Creative and strategic thinker
Committed to fostering a culture of trust, transparency, and mutual respect
Appreciation for diverse communities inclusive of staff, participants, alumni, and partners from many backgrounds

Commitment to Diversity

We actively seek candidates from diverse backgrounds and are committed to embracing diversity within our organization because we firmly believe that diverse employee teams help us achieve our best organizational outcomes. As an equal opportunity employer, LAJF provides employment opportunities to all qualified individuals and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, marital status, veteran status, pregnancy, parental status, genetic information or characteristics, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law.

We value diversity and actively strive to build an inclusive applicant pool through a thoughtful hiring process, which includes a diverse hiring committee, carefully designed interview questions, and mindfulness of unconscious biases. In addition, we are committed to inclusive fundraising that respects and reflects the diversity of our global alumni and donor community, ensuring that our advancement practices align with our mission and values.

Schedule and Location

This opportunity is open to applicants eligible to work in the United States who live (or are willing to live) near New York City or the Town of Clinton, NY (near Rhinebeck). LAJF operates as a hybrid workplace, with expectations to work in person in NYC or Clinton approximately 2–3 days per week, in addition to quarterly staff retreats at Camp Rising Sun.

The Director of Programs is expected to play a leadership role during staff training and maintain an evaluative presence during the summer. This includes being on campus for most of staff training and for at least one week during each Camp Rising Sun session. During periods when the Director is required on campus (such as staff training or retreats), they are expected, when feasible, to stay on-site with staff to fully participate in and support program operations and team development.

Because LAJF’s community spans multiple time zones, occasional evening and weekend meetings may be required. Staff are encouraged to flex their schedules to accommodate these needs.

Compensation Package

$90,000–$100,000 annually, commensurate with experience, plus a full benefits package including health insurance, paid time off, a 401(k) retirement plan, and support for professional development opportunities, such as continuing education and certification programs (e.g., CFRE).

Target Date: May 2026

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $90,000.00 - $100,000.00 per year

Benefits:

401(k)
401(k) matching
Health insurance
Life insurance
Paid time off

Schedule:

Evenings as needed
Monday to Friday
Weekends as needed

Ability to Commute:

Rhinebeck, NY 12572 (Preferred)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Rhinebeck, NY 12572

The Louis August Jonas Foundation jobs

Director of Programs