Reports To:
Chief Member Experience Officer
FLSA Status:
Exempt Salary Grade 26
Position Summary
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.
Essential Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & Program Development
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Lead the vision, implementation, and continuous improvement of BGCGM’s Sports & Arts initiative across all Club sites.
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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.
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Create scalable systems, standards, curricula, toolkits, and implementation models that ensure consistent, high-quality experiences across Clubs.
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Design innovative and engaging programming opportunities that increase member participation, belonging, retention, and family engagement.
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Ensure programming reflects youth interests, emerging trends, and culturally relevant experiences for Milwaukee youth.
Sports, Arts & Enrichment Oversight
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Oversee agency-wide sports leagues, recreational programming, arts initiatives, cultural programming, performances, showcases, camps, tournaments, and enrichment opportunities.
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Support traditional and non-traditional sports opportunities, including but not limited to basketball, soccer, flag football, esports, outdoor recreation, swimming, kayaking, and specialty activities.
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Support visual arts, performing arts, music, dance, digital arts, cultural experiences, and creative expression opportunities across the organization.
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Develop systems to celebrate andshowcaseyouth talents and accomplishments through performances, exhibitions, competitions, and community events.
Community Partnerships & Contractor Management
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Develop andmaintainstrategic partnerships with Milwaukee-area organizations, artists, coaches, instructors, cultural institutions, schools, and community partners.
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Recruit,manage, andevaluate contractors, artists-in-residence, coaches, instructors, and specialty facilitators to support high-quality programming across BGCGM sites.
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Ensure all contractors and partners meet BGCGM compliance, safety, onboarding, and risk-management requirements.
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Expand partnerships that create access to unique experiences, certifications, field trips, competitions, and career exposure opportunities for youth.
Staff Leadership & Capacity Building
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Train, coach, and support Club staff in the implementation of sports and arts programming.
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Create systems and resources that increase staff confidence, consistency, and program quality across all sites.
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Foster a collaborative agency-wide culture among staff leading sports, recreation, arts, and enrichment activities.
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Facilitate regular meetings, professional development opportunities, and cross-site collaboration.
Member Experience & Outcomes
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Ensure all programming environments are safe, inclusive, welcoming, fun, and developmentallyappropriate.
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Support BGCGM’s goals related to member participation, attendance, engagement, retention, and overall member experience.
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Develop metrics and evaluation systems tomonitorparticipationtrends, program quality, youth outcomes, and impact.
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Utilize data and feedback to continuously improve programming andidentifyemerging needs.
Budgeting, Administration & Reporting
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Develop and manage annual Sports & Arts budgets in partnership with organizational leadership.
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Ensure responsible stewardship of donor-designated funding and compliance with all grant and funding requirements.
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Prepare annual program plans, budget updates, reports, presentations, and outcome summaries for organizational leadership, Board members, and funding partners.
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Monitor expenses, contracts, supplies, equipment, and resource allocation across program areas.
Organizational Leadership
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Maintain strong visibility throughout the organization and community as a leader in youth development, enrichment programming, and member engagement.
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Support organizational fundraising, donor engagement, site visits, andspecial eventsas requested.
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Collaborate closely with Club leadership, operations teams, teen programming, camp staff, and Member Experience leadership to ensure alignment across all youth programming efforts.
Qualifications
Education
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Bachelor’s degreepreferredin Recreation, Education, Arts Administration, Youth Development, Physical Education, Nonprofit Leadership, or related fieldrequired.
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Associates degreerequired.
Experience
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Minimum of 5 years of leadership experience in youth development, recreation, sports management, arts programming, or nonprofit program leadership.
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Demonstrated success leading multi-site programming initiatives and managing partnerships.
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Experience supervising staff, contractors, coaches, artists, or program facilitators.
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Proven experience developing systems, improving program quality, and managing complex projects.
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Experience managing budgets and donor-funded initiatives preferred.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
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Strong understanding of youth development principles and out-of-school-timeprogramming.
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Ability to build relationships with diverse community stakeholders and partners throughout Milwaukee.
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Strong leadership, organizational, communication, and project management skills.
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Ability to think strategically while also supporting implementation details.
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Strong data analysis, budgeting, and reporting skills.
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Ability to inspire, coach, and influence teams across multiple locations.
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Proficiencywith Microsoft Office and data management systems.
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Valid Wisconsin driver’s license and ability to travel between Club locations.
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Ability to achieve approval asBGCGMvan driver to transport youth. Insurance and MVR background check approvalisrequired.
Core Competencies
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Youth-Centered Leadership
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Strategic Thinking
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Relationship Building
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Innovation & Creativity
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Collaboration
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Accountability
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Operational Excellence
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Cultural Responsiveness
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Communication & Influence
Impact of the Role
This position plays a critical role in restoring foundational Club experiences that attract youth, strengthen belonging, and deepen long-term engagement in Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee programs. Through high-quality sports, arts, recreation, and enrichment opportunities, the Director helps ensure BGCGM remains a nationally recognized leader in youth development and member experience.
