Charles River School
Since its founding more than 100 years ago, Charles River School students have learned to use both inquiry and creativity to build practical skills, discover new interests, and take responsibility for themselves, their communities, and the future. The school offers students in PreKindergarten through eighth-grade a global curriculum grounded in thematic, hands-on teaching and learning. CRS classes are small, learning is personalized, and teachers are accessible. The faculty and staff at Charles River School are exceptionally talented, diverse, active individuals concerned with the development and education of children.
The school is located on 16 acres in idyllic Dover, Massachusetts, approximately 30 minutes from Boston. Charles River School facilities include a theater, dining room, academic buildings, gymnasiums, a wetlands laboratory, two playing fields, tennis courts, and an outdoor swimming pool.
The Position
Charles River School has recently committed to the creation of this new leadership role as a strategic step towards auxiliary program growth and improvement. While the school continues to operate longstanding and well-respected summer programs, it simultaneously recognizes the opportunity to develop and grow new programs to achieve untapped potential. The position will benefit from strong leadership support and regular participation in the school’s senior leadership team. The new Director of Auxiliary Programs will report to the Head of School and work collaboratively across other departments of the school including the Business Office, Athletics, Marketing, and Admissions
Charles River School Quick Facts
Founded: 1911
Enrollment: 180
Grades: PK-8 (Day)
Gender: Coed
Teaching Faculty: 36
Mission
At Charles River, the school's mission guides the community every day, in all that they do.
“Charles River School honors the pursuit of academic excellence and the joy of childhood. We nurture each child by igniting curiosity, encouraging creativity, and cultivating intellectual engagement. Our graduates know themselves, understand others, and shape the future of our diverse world with confidence and compassion.”
Statement of Diversity and Inclusion
At Charles River School, diversity, inclusivity, and cultural competency are essential parts of the curriculum and the community and are central tenets of the Mission Statement. Through their teaching practices and the authentic learning experiences provided for students each day, Charles River School shows a deep dedication to graduating well-rounded students. As stated by the school:
We commit ourselves to:
- Cultivating cultural competency and diversity throughout our curriculum, our student body, and our faculty and staff
- Deepening our knowledge and appreciation of the many aspects of cultural identities, in ourselves, our local communities, and globally
- Providing an environment and an education that equips children and adults to become successful, contributing members of a global society
- Understanding both historical and current implications of diversity, power, and privilege
- Engaging in this complex work with careful thought and enduring dedication.
- And most of all, we commit ourselves to fostering a school community in which each of us is welcomed, recognized, and valued as an individual and as a member of the Charles River School family.
Current Charles River School Summer and Auxiliary Programs
Charles River Creative Arts Program (CRCAP)
The Charles River Creative Arts Program is a leader in summer multi-arts education and the inspiration for more than 100 programs worldwide. For children 8-15 years old, CRCAP offers classes in visual art, animation, athletics, dance, theater, music, video, photography, technology, textiles, and writing. Each child picks five classes taught by an accomplished and dynamic staff of professional artists and mentors. Young people discover and develop their artistic talents and form lasting friendships at CRCAP through classes that offer meaningful, rigorous engagement with the artistic process in a fun, supportive environment.
Creative Starts
Children ages 6-8 explore the arts in a stimulating and age-appropriate environment during the summer. Creative Starts sessions bring together elements of creative expression. Campers choose daily from activities including visual arts, technology, dance, tinkering, photography, music, storytelling, woodworking, video, textiles, and drama. At Creative Starts, young people build confidence, form lasting friendships, and learn skills in a fun, supportive community.
Extended Day Program
The Extended Day Program (EDP) at CRS is an extension of the school day, and the EDP staff reinforce a strong sense of continuity for students. The program provides children with the freedom to make individual and group choices and stresses the development of interpersonal social skills and the importance of building community. Children have opportunities to play in small groups inside and outside the EDP classroom. The program simulates a neighborhood playgroup, and the multi-age grouping enriches personal relationships among the children and provides opportunities to develop new perspectives and ideas. Enrollment in EDP is open throughout the year. Parents can enroll their child for a single day with 24-hour notice (exceptions for emergencies) or they can enroll their child in advance for a specific time slot throughout the year.
Facility RentalsCharles River School makes its facilities available for rental to other organizations and individuals in the community. Currently, facilities for rental include:
- Gymnasiums
- Tennis Courts
- Athletic Fields
- Dining Hall & Kitchen Facilities
- Performance Spaces
Position Description: Director of Auxiliary Programs
Summary Description
Reporting to the Head of School, the Director of Auxiliary Programs is responsible for strategic planning, operations, market development, program design, promotion, budgeting, monitoring, and evaluation of all Charles River School Auxiliary Programs including summer camps, after school programs, and the rental of Charles River facilities. There is also an opportunity for the Director to establish new programs to benefit the CRS community and support the school’s mission.
Essential Functions and Key ObjectivesStrategic Program DevelopmentBuild vibrant programs that achieve annual and long-term net revenue growth targets, support the school’s mission and program, and build Charles River School’s market exposure.
- Collaborate with school leadership, administration, and faculty to ensure all auxiliary programs align with and support Charles River’s mission and philosophy
- Design, enhance, and expand program offerings that align with long-term strategic auxiliary programs vision and financial objectives
- Continually explore innovative opportunities for leveraging the intellectual and physical assets of the school
- Continually explore innovative opportunities for supporting school admissions and building the school’s exposure in the independent school market
- Annually seek and analyze input from participants and staff regarding the quality of their program experience
- Seek to identify partnerships that may enhance auxiliary program potential
Program Management
Ensure that program participants have a safe and positive experience such that they return and/or recommend our programs to others.
- Oversee and manage all auxiliary programs including but not limited to: Charles River Creative Arts Program (CRCAP), Creative Starts, Extended Day Program, private music lessons, and facility rentals
- Provide an appropriately safe, caring, and enriching environment for all auxiliary program participants
- Establish routines, provide positive guidance, and enforce policies and procedures, including disciplinary policies, in accordance with Charles River’s stated values
- Provide ongoing training, supervision, support, and professional development of all faculty and staff of auxiliary programs
- Develop and oversee all safety and health protocols in coordination with school risk management plan
- Oversee all aspects of campus rentals by creating policies, protocols and procedures for facilities usage and pricing for all events and programs on Charles River’s campus beyond the regular school day
Financial ManagementEnsure that the Auxiliary Programs’ financial performance meets or exceeds budgeted expectations.
- Prepare an annual budget covering all aspects of program revenues and expenses to ensure profitability
- Monitor revenues and expenses on a monthly basis, and in accordance with budgetary restrictions, for bottom-line performance across all programs
- Provide the Business Office with all the information necessary to complete the financials in an accurate and timely manner
- Work with individual program directors to ensure the profitability of their programs
- Establish appropriate compensation for all auxiliary program employees in coordination with the Chief Financial Officer
Marketing, Communication, and RecruitmentEffectively promote the programs so as to achieve enrollment and revenue targets.
- In coordination with the Director of Marketing and Communications, develop and implement a comprehensive marketing strategy for all auxiliary programs that aligns with the school’s strategic branding initiatives
- Ensure that all auxiliary programs have an effective and accurate internet presence including the website, social media, and digital marketing that align with the school’s branding
- Plan and coordinate the publishing and advertising of program catalogues, brochures, and schedules
- 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 auxiliary program constituencies that effectively provide updated information and a sense of community
- Serve as primary recruiter to all programs and manage the activities of others charged with recruitment
- Work closely with the Admissions Office to identify and follow-up with participants who have strong potential to convert to Charles River School student prospects
- As appropriate, accompany Admissions Office staff to regional marketing events and receptions
Administration and OperationsEnsure that the administration of the programs is efficient and effective.
- Oversee registration for all auxiliary programs
- Ensure the auxiliary programs database is accurate and comprehensive
- Prepare reports for, and communicate with, Charles River leadership to ensure awareness of auxiliary program performance
- Execute and oversee all contracts related to programs
- Ensure that all auxiliary programs are in compliance with all applicable regulations of licensing and governing entities
Human ResourcesHire and manage to build a stable, effective, customer-focused team.
- In collaboration with the Business Office and program directors:
- Recruit, hire, and train all Charles River auxiliary program employees
- Ensure that all necessary and required employment forms, including background checks, are completed and on file
- Coordinate and communicate payroll to the business office as needed
- Coordinate and conduct annual performance evaluations of all auxiliary programs personnel
Other Duties
- Participate in special assignments and projects as needed to improve school operations (i.e. buildings and grounds, safety, accreditation, committees, etc.)
- Perform other duties as assigned by the Head of School
Desired Qualifications
Successful candidates will have the energy and ambition to manage and develop Charles River School’s Auxiliary Programs to the highest degree of educational excellence. They will be organized, attentive to detail, and motivated by an authentic interest in the experience of the participants in the programs. They will be driven by an entrepreneurial spirit while being resourceful, innovative, forward-thinking, and committed.
The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required to perform essential functions of the job:
- 5-7 years of summer/auxiliary program experience or equivalent
- 3-5 years of progressively responsible experience managing summer/auxiliary programs or equivalent
- The ability to think strategically in developing, enhancing, and refining summer/auxiliary programs in the broader context of a mission-driven independent school
- Bachelor’s degree required
- A high level of integrity and an extraordinary work ethic
- A demonstrated commitment to creating and supporting diverse, equitable, and inclusive communities
- A love of children
- Strong financial acumen with demonstrated ability to develop and manage a budget
- Excellent project management and organizational skills
- Expertise in marketing summer or similar programs using a variety of technology resources including social media
- Well-developed collaborative work style; ability to interact with employees at all levels of the community
- Ability to understand youth development programming, applicable regulations/laws, trends, best practices and new developments in the field
- A creative self-starter who brings wisdom, perspective, confidence and excellent problem-solving skills to the position
- A strong cultural competency and ability to work with a diverse community
- Knowledge and skill to negotiate and manage contracts
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to quickly and regularly adjust strategy based on the School’s needs
- An independent and strategic thinker capable of understanding the full scope of projects while seeing individual tasks through to completion
- Experience with Microsoft Office products, Google applications, database management, website development, and digital media
- A positive outlook, and a sense of humor
Notice of Non-Discrimination Policy
Charles River School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, personnel policies, admissions policies, financial aid programs and athletic and other school-administered programs. It is the policy of Charles River School to admit students of any race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin.
To Apply
Auxiliary Services Organization (AUXS) is acting on behalf of the school to recruit candidates for this position. Candidates should apply online at:
Your online application should include:
Cover letter addressed to:
Charles River School
RE: Director of Auxiliary Programs
Resume or CV
3 Professional References
Thank you for your interest in this role. You will be contacted upon receipt of your submission.