Director of Sports & Arts - Mardak

Director Of Sports & Arts

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

• 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.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree preferred in Recreation, Education, Arts Administration, Youth Development, Physical Education, Nonprofit Leadership, or related field required.
• Associates degree required.

Experience

• 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.
• Experience managing budgets and donor-funded initiatives preferred.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• 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.

Core Competencies

• Youth-Centered Leadership
• Strategic Thinking
• Relationship Building
• Innovation & Creativity
• Collaboration
• Accountability
• Operational Excellence
• Cultural Responsiveness
• 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.

The schedule for this role is Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.