Summer Activity Manager- Queens (Jamaica), New York

The Activity Manager role is a dynamic position at the core of our summer program at Brook Hill. Balancing strong logistical skills with an enthusiasm for student engagement, the Activity Manager leads the rest of the Activity team in delivering an unforgettable summer experience for our students!
 
Our next Activity Manager could be you! Are you…

• Genuinely excited about the opportunity to meet people from around the world and learn about different cultures?
• Comfortable and confident managing a diverse array of tasks under a wide scope of responsibilities?
• A leader by example who motivates and works shoulder to shoulder with the people you supervise?
• Quick on your feet in the middle of unexpected changes and able to pivot and adjust on the fly?
• Highly organized and detail-oriented when managing competing priorities?
• Energetic and passionate about bringing positivity and care into every student interaction?

If this sounds like you, we think you would enjoy and succeed in the Activity Manager role!

This is a seasonal, full-time, salaried, and in-person position that is integral to the success of our international programs. The Activity Manager is responsible for all excursions and activities for Brook Hill participants, including excursions to and around tourist sites, recreational activities (i.e. games and sports on campus), and evening activities (i.e. dance parties, karaoke, talent shows, etc.). The Activity Manager works closely with the Brook Hill head office team to problem-solve issues that arise and deal with emergency situations. The Activity Manager directly manages a team of Activity Coordinators. The Activity Manager reports to the Campus Operations Manager. Full room and board is provided for the duration of employment. Residing on campus is a requirement of the position.

About Us:
At The Brook Hill Alliance (formerly PLUS), we operate a variety of international education programs including Brook Hill Study Tours, our English language study and travel program for international high school students across North America. Our students have the opportunity to take English classes and explore the surrounding regions while staying at North American colleges and universities. At Brook Hill, we are dedicated to creating vibrant, inclusive, and safe opportunities for students to grow academically, culturally, and personally.
 
Time Commitment:

• The employment period for the Activity Manager position is generally 6-8 weeks during the summer (mid-June to early August), depending on the program dates. The Activity Manager is responsible for opening the campus at the beginning of the program and seeing the program through to completion. In the application, there is space to indicate and explain your availability during the summer months.
• This position requires irregular and significant working hours that fluctuate to meet the demands of a dynamic workday. No day is the same, and sometimes no hour is the same.
• This position will typically include a day each week with minimal work commitments, complemented by varying blocks of free time based on program needs.
• Peak student enrollment takes place during approximately the last two weeks in July. It is highly likely that your employment period will include this timeframe.
• The Activity Manager is expected to work a flexible schedule. Night and weekend work is expected to meet the demands of the program and no vacation time can be honored during the employment period for this position.
• Approximately 15 hours of paid online training must be attended/completed before arrival to the program site.

 
Travel:

• Regional travel is required - all work-related travel during the employment period will be provided and covered by Brook Hill
• Residential employees are responsible for all travel costs to and from campus location prior to and at the conclusion of their employment period. If you choose to bring a car to campus, any costs related to parking may not be included

 
Compensation:

• Wages are between $1,225 - $1,300 per week
• Housing for duration of the employment period
• Meals (full board) for the duration of the employment period

 
Specific Duties and Responsibilities:
The following is expected of the Activity Manager:
    Standard Expectations
    You will be responsible for understanding, adhering to, and enforcing all Brook Hill/campus policies and procedures, with tasks including but not limited to:

• Interacting with groups of international high school students and their group leaders in a professional, enthusiastic, and customer service-oriented manner
• Ensuring the safety of all participants and practicing appropriate emergency preparedness and response under Brook Hill protocols
• Maintaining frequent communication and reporting with Brook Hill head office staff
• Being on call every night for the duration of the program
• Assisting in duties other than the aforementioned and the following, as assigned and as they arise

    Staff Supervision
    You will be responsible for supervising a team of residential staff members and will be expected to manage all logistical and interpersonal responsibilities, with tasks including but not limited to:

• Directly supervising Activity Coordinators and, if applicable, overseeing Summer Counselors
• In conjunction with the Campus Operations Manager, training the Activity staff members
• In conjunction with the Campus Operations Manager, making a weekly schedule for Activity staff members
• In conjunction with the Campus Operations Manager, holding daily staff meetings to ensure that all program and position needs are met
• Conducting regular performance evaluations of the Activity staff members
• Motivating and encouraging Activity staff members throughout the duration of the program

    Off-Campus Operations
    You will coordinate, lead, and ensure the proper and smooth execution of all off-campus excursions for Brook Hill students and group leaders, with tasks including but not limited to:

• Creating a detailed schedule for each day and overnight excursion to ensure that Activity staff members have clear direction
• Ensuring that Activity coordinators are well-equipped to successfully lead excursions
• Personally leading and/or supervising excursions alongside the Activity staff members
• In conjunction with the Campus Operations Manager, communicating with transportation companies to ensure all transportation needs are confirmed and met for Brook Hill excursions and airport transfers
• In conjunction with the Campus Operations Manager, confirming all excursion-related bookings with ticket vendors and off-campus meal providers
• Assisting in coordinating all airport arrival and departure schedules; assist in group check-ins and check-outs
• Liaising with hotels for overnight excursions regarding rooming lists, check-in, and check-out

    On-Campus Activities
    You will oversee the planning, coordination, and proper execution of all on-campus activities, events, and recreation, with tasks including but not limited to:

• Assisting with the confirmation of all on-campus facilities for Brook Hill activities
• In conjunction with the other managers, conducting a “Welcome Night” presentation that orients students to the Brook Hill program
• Supervising, attending, and participating in talent shows and graduation ceremonies; attending and participating in other on-campus programming as needed
• Ensure that Activity Coordinators are prepared to fully participate in all programming as scheduled, including the talent show

    Customer Service
    You will be responsible for contributing to the delivery of a high-quality international education experience for our clients, with tasks including but not limited to:

• Creating a welcoming and informative environment for groups from their arrival and orientation through their departure
• Liaising with group leaders, understanding and addressing their expectations and concerns
• Responding respectfully and appropriately to participant issues, incidents, and concerns within the parameters of the Brook Hill program, escalating to head office staff as needed
• Modeling the aforementioned in regard to supervisees’ interactions with participants

    Office & Miscellaneous
    You will be responsible for determining and supporting the logistical and organizational needs of the campus in conjunction with the management team, with tasks including but not limited to:

• Supporting the oversight of Brook Hill social media, the Brook Hill website, campus signs, and Brook Hill branding
• Assisting the Campus Operations Manager in the distribution, tracking, and reconciliation of all participant per diems and/or gift cards
• Being responsible for appropriate use and documentation of company cards
• Assisting in preparing the campus for groups’ arrivals and departures, including room checks, distribution and collection of documentation, and check-in/check-out procedures
• Maintaining an inventory of office and programming supplies
• Scheduling and holding daily office hours for group leaders and students
• Participating in weekly meeting with the Brook Hill Head Office and other managers
• Fulfilling the role of Activity Coordinator, as needed

 
Qualifications and Desired Skills:

• Authorization to work in the U.S. required
• Must be 18 years or older
• Bachelor’s degree preferred (at the time of start date); high school diploma required
• Prior supervisory experience required
• Event planning or coordination experience required
• Customer service experience required
• Command of Microsoft Excel and Google Drive required
• Experience in the hospitality and tourism industry strongly preferred
• Experience with summer or study travel programs strongly preferred
• International and intercultural experience strongly preferred
• Administrative experience preferred
• Knowledge of an expererience with NYC subway system preferred

The successful Activity Manager candidate will have strong coordination and organizational skills and be able to work with diverse groups of people in a high-pressure environment. They will be detail-oriented, self-motivated, adaptable, professional, enthusiastic, and always have a positive attitude. The successful candidate will also have strong problem-solving, customer service, multi-tasking, communication, management, and interpersonal skills. A cover letter expressing your interest in the role and outlining your strengths for the position is strongly preferred.
 
Physical Demands:

• Do the essential functions of this job require lifting? Yes, 25 lbs.
• Do the essential functions of this job require standing? Yes
• Do the essential functions of this job require walking up stairs? Yes
• Do the essential functions of this job require stretching? Yes
• Do the essential functions of this job require bending? Yes

Salary : $1,225 - $1,300