William Penn Charter School is a Quaker, all-gender, PK-12 independent, day school in the East Falls neighborhood of Philadelphia. Established in 1689 by William Penn and members of the Religious Society of Friends, Penn Charter is a community guided by Quaker testimonies and the central belief that there is “that of God” in every person. A school community that honors difference, Penn Charter seeks to be a place where diversity is understood, represented and valued. Our curriculum embraces a plurality of cultures and celebrates an array of voices, instilling in us a deeper understanding of and empathy for individuals in this community and the world.

As our mission states, we value scholarship and inquiry. With excellence as our standard, we challenge students in a vigorous program of academics, arts and athletics. Through global connections, civic engagement and a focus on environmental sustainability, we inspire students to be thinkers, collaborators, innovators and leaders. We educate students to live lives that make a difference.

Job Description Overview

The program director will lead and oversee all operations of Penn Charter’s summer programs for the summer of 2026, with back-office support provided by ESF. While Penn Charter still continues to run the camp, ESF has been engaged as a consultant to support staff and program budget development and to oversee marketing and camp enrollment. This role requires a dynamic, hands-on leader who can manage day-to-day program execution for campers and families, ensure exceptional safety and service standards, and recruit, hire and supervise 50+ seasonal team members. The program director will serve as the on-site leader and primary liaison for all summer camps at Penn Charter, maintaining strong, collaborative relationships with campers, parents, school personnel and seasonal staff.

For more information about ESF programs, visit them at:  https://www.esfcamps.com/

Job Description

Leadership & Operations

• Represent the mission, standards and expectations of Penn Charter summer programs in collaboration with ESF.
• Oversee all day-to-day summer operations, ensuring the safety and security of all campers and team members.
• Serve as the site director, ensuring smooth program execution throughout the summer season.
• Maintain and update operational systems and databases, including staff records, camper information and compliance documentation.
• Ensure adherence to all state, federal and school-based policies and regulations.
• Coordinate clear and timely communication among parents, school administrators, ESF leadership and seasonal staff.
• Plan and support family orientation sessions and other parent-facing events.

Staffing & Human Resources

• Recruit, interview, hire and onboard 50+ seasonal staff members, including teachers, coaches, college students and specialty instructors.
• Conduct reference checks and manage all hiring logistics, including scheduling interviews and issuing offers.
• Train, supervise, evaluate and retain high-performing seasonal team members.
• Maintain an accurate and up-to-date staff database to support compliance and operational needs.
• Lead or support training sessions designed to strengthen instructional quality, safety practices and service standards.

Program Quality & Curriculum Support

• Ensure that program curriculum, daily schedules and group structures are properly implemented.
• Support the development and delivery of high-quality activities that align with Penn Charter’s standards and culture.
• Use established tools and metrics to assess camper experience and staff performance.
• Maintain strong, proactive communication with parents to enhance satisfaction, address concerns and support retention.

Relationship Management

• Build and maintain positive relationships with parents, campers, Penn Charter administrators, faculty, ESF leaders and community partners.
• Serve as a key liaison between ESF and Penn Charter summer programs, ensuring alignment, collaboration and mutual satisfaction.
• Cultivate external partnerships (e.g., local universities, education organizations, youth programs) to support staffing pipelines and program enrichment.

Additional Responsibilities

• Maintain accurate and timely camper and staff records within ESF’s organizational databases.
• Provide superior customer service to families throughout the enrollment period and summer season.
• Collaborate with ESF central office support teams to ensure effective planning, communication and execution.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

We will review application materials as they are submitted and interview candidates on a rolling basis until the position has been filled.

William Penn Charter School provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Skill Requirements

• Proven experience managing and leading teams
• Experience working in a school, camp, youth program or similar educational environment
• Strong organizational and administrative skills
• Proficiency with Excel and other basic reporting platforms
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to multitask and manage several projects simultaneously
• Self-motivation with the ability to work both independently and collaboratively
• Exceptional attention to detail
• Ability to motivate, inspire and develop staff
• Customer-service oriented mindset

About William Penn Charter School

William Penn Charter School is an all gender, Quaker, coeducational, PreK-12 independent day school in the East Falls neighborhood of Philadelphia. Established in 1689 by William Penn and members of the Religious Society of Friends, Penn Charter values scholarship and inquiry. Our school emphasizes academics, the arts, athletics, spiritual awareness and service learning.

Connections working at William Penn Charter School