Director of Auxiliary Programs

Type: Full-Time, 12-month

Supervisor: Head of School 

Location: Chicago, IL

Starting Date: ASAP

Why consider Catherine Cook School?

Cook is a vibrant and inclusive learning community where curiosity, connection, and compassion are at the heart of everything we do. We are dedicated to developing creative, collaborative problem solvers who tackle global challenges from multiple perspectives. Our talented faculty and staff help students from preschool through 8th grade become confident leaders and lifelong learners.

All Cook employees are trained and supported in incorporating wellness and belonging into their work with students and adults. Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and social-emotional learning (SEL) are the cornerstones upon which we build a curriculum and community. At Cook, we commit to all community members being active learners, from our preschool students to us as adults. 

We invite you to consider how Cook will benefit from having you, along with your experiences in educating and learning, as a part of our community.  

How will this role contribute to the growth of the Cook community?

Catherine Cook School seeks a vibrant and innovative Director of Auxiliary Programs. This position is a leadership role, developing and managing all aspects of the school’s auxiliary programs. This role is responsible for creating, marketing, and overseeing programs that enrich the school community, align with the school’s mission, and generate additional revenue.

How will I contribute and grow personally and professionally in this role?

• Connecting with and caring for students and colleagues through weekly duties and administrative tasks 
• Growing as a life-long learner through active participation in meetings and professional development opportunities
• Applying skills as supported by Responsive Classroom training and protocols for proactive community building and restorative practices 
• Proactively and reflectively communicating through various platforms the vision, goals, and progress of your work with both internal and external collaborators
• Growing our culture of belonging and wellness through active participation in DEI and SEL efforts 
• Serving as an Ambassador for our Enrollment Management and Development efforts
• Employing Google and Outlook Applications for individual and team collaboration and communication 

What will the ideal candidate for this role embody?

• Well-grounded in early childhood, elementary, and middle school education and development.
• Assure a safe and supportive environment for all students engaged in Extended Day programming.
• Nurture the family-school partnership through close communication with families, faculty, and staff.
• Develop, market, schedule, and oversee the Extended Day, After-school Enrichment, and Summer programs. 
• Champion marketing and outreach initiatives to build program awareness and attract new participants.
• Ensure programs align with Catherine Cook School’s mission, values, and high-quality standards.
• Develop and maintain a team of skilled educators and staff through ongoing recruitment, training, and professional development to ensure the highest quality of care and instruction in the Extended Day Program.
• Proven leadership skills, including effectively supervising, evaluating, and motivating staff while cultivating a positive team dynamic.
• Hire, coordinate, and supervise additional extended-day enrichment programming with outside vendors. 
• Maintain ongoing communication with students, families, and staff, regularly assessing program effectiveness and adapting to meet the evolving needs of children and the strengths of the staff team.
• Implement a robust system for evaluating program effectiveness and quality, utilizing data from student and family feedback, staff input, and market trends.
• Devise and manage the registration process for families
• Efficient administration of all programs; including collaborating with Finance on student billing and budget.
• Outstanding interpersonal and customer relations skills.

Education

• Bachelor's degree, often in business administration, education, recreation, or a related field. 

Experience

• Prefer 3 years of experience in managing operations, camp programs, and/or auxiliary programs in an educational or similar setting.  
• Experience in budget management, financial planning, and analysis.  
• Experience in supervising and managing staff effectively.  
• Experience in marketing and promoting programs to the public.

What else is there to know about employment at Cook?

Catherine Cook offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support the well-being and financial security of our employees. Our benefits for full-time eligible employees include:

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• 403(b) plan
• 100% of the premium covered for Basic Life insurance, STD, LTD, AD&D
• HRA, HSA, FSA, Dependent Care available
• Professional Development opportunities
• Generous paid time off
• Lunch provided during the school year
• Pet Insurance
• Identity Theft Protection

In compliance with IL’s Pay Transparency Act, this position's salary range is: $65,000-$85,000 annually. Ultimately, in determining your pay, a variety of factors including your key skills and other job-related factors, including peer equity, market, and organizational elements are considered, among others.

Catherine Cook School is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.