Camp Programme Lead Coordinator in Nottingham

Location: Nottingham and Newark

Salary: £31,209

Hours: 37.5 hours per week term time including evening and weekends and 52.5 hours per week at YMCA Camp Williams with flexibility to take pre-agreed TOIL as required during term-time.

YMCA Robin Hood Group’s flagship day camp, Camp Williams runs every school holiday, and is bursting with creative activities, outdoor adventures, sports, group games, camp songs and more. Campers range from ages 4 to 15, and enjoy a programme that grows with them, designed to introduce amazing new experiences, skills, opportunities.

We are seeking a Camps Programme Lead Coordinator to lead, manage, develop, promote and deliver our children’s holiday camp service in Nottingham. We are looking for someone who is passionate about working with children to ensure they receive the highest possible standard of care whilst having the maximum amount of fun too!

This is a really broad role where no day is ever the same, in fact the role is also split between what you will do during term time vs the school holidays! During the school holidays (around 13 weeks per year), you will act as Site Manager of the Camp Williams programme which runs from The Beckett School, West Bridgford. You will lead sessions, overseeing the smooth running of both Camps and will be at the heart of Camp Williams ensuring the children have a fantastic experience.

During term time, working from our Nottingham Head Office within the Malt Cross in Nottingham City Centre and our Community and Activity Village in Newark, you will have time to reflect, prepare and develop for the forthcoming Camps. This will include recruitment, marketing, planning, purchasing necessary supplies and also providing cover and support to our other youth programmes we run across the YMCA.

If you are looking for the ultimate opportunity to combine the hands-on delivery with an operational focus, this could be an ideal role for you.

The Role

This role breaks down into the following key areas:

• Key Relationships and Stakeholders Management
  • You will provide leadership, direction, management, support and guidance to the Camps department and staff team.
  • You will also manage and evaluate staff performance on a regular basis including appraisals, 1-2-1’s and where required HR processes associated to capability.
  • You will build and maintain strong partnerships within the community especially with families, schools, community groups, sports clubs and healthcare.
  • You will work closely with the PR and Marketing Team to ensure the effective promotion of programmes, publication of good news stories, liaison with the media, external bodies, etc.
  • You will also work closely with the Business Resource Centre Manager to ensure the effective management of all contracts, SLA's, etc. and to ensure the effective bookings process for all camps.
  • You will liaise and establish relationships with relevant local organisations and statutory agencies to ensure the promotion and growth of YMCA programmes.
• Compliance & Safeguarding
  • To work with other service and operations managers in relation to any Ofsted, EYFS or other registration requirements for any/all of our programmes.
  • You will follow the Safeguarding Children and Young People procedure for the Association including training staff, being a designated safeguarding officer, receiving and managing allegations and liaising with external bodies as required.
  • To keep abreast of relevant local and national government policy/legislation in relation to children’s services/residential camps etc. and disseminate information effectively to the team and wider Association.
• Finance
  • You will work in partnership with the Development and Funding Team regarding the YMCA Robin Hood Group Scholarship programme, research new funding streams, write funding bids, build relationships with funders, etc.
  • You will work to source and secure new funding and income streams, secure existing funding, fund raise, write funding bids and applications, monitor programmes etc.
  • You will set, agree, monitor and achieve specific key performance indicators and business objectives.
• Support to Other Teams
  • Provide support and cover for our term-time Childcare programme, delivered during term-time when required e.g. staffing absence.
  • Deliver activity-based events at local schools and community spaces to engage children, young people and families as part of fundraising or awareness building.
• The Future
  • You will seek out new opportunities to expand the current provision, through regular market research and business planning.
  • You will effectively lead, plan, develop, promote and ensure the quality of YMCA Robin Hood Group’s future residential and non-residential camps.

About You – Does this sound like you?

We are looking for someone with experience of developing, managing and leading safe and age-appropriate activities and programmes for early years, primary and secondary school aged. Specific experience of delivering a range of holiday camps or outdoor and adventure activities for children and young people would be highly beneficial.

You will have extensive experience of managing staff including recruitment, training, motivating, managing performance. From your previous experience, you will be confident in managing incidents/accidents and dealing with safeguarding children’s referrals, procedures etc.

You will also bring experience of liaising with external agencies e.g. schools, Ofsted, Safeguarding Boards and governing bodies and ideally experience with Ofsted inspections for out of school provisions.

It would be advantageous if you have experience of both initial Ofsted registration stage and on an ongoing basis. As the programme lead for Camp Williams, you will need some experience of delivery of services including writing business plans, negotiating contracts.

You will also be confident to manage complex budgets with both fee for service and commissioned income including monitoring income and expenditure, forecasting, managing cashflow and annual budget setting processes.

You will have a natural affiliation and ability to engage, inspire, motivate and manage children and young people as well as build excellent rapport with their parent/carers.

You will be an excellent Leader and be able to engage, inspire, motivate and manage a team of permanent and casual staff.

As to be expected in any role working with children, you will be confident working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment where you will need to absorb information quickly, multi-task, prioritise and delegate using effective organisation, decision making, planning and problem solving skills.

You will have excellent communication skills whether you are speaking with a group of staff, leading groups of children, liaising with parents or delivering a presentation.

You will have a high level of IT literacy, including use of Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, Access and PowerPoint.

We are a really supportive team and it is critical you share our approach and desire to “roll up your sleeves” and be involved in the day to day activities of the department.

You must be willing to undergo an enhanced DBS check and to register with the DBS Update Service OR hold a satisfactory enhanced DBS check for the correct workforce plus existing registration for the DBS Update Service.

What We Value

We’re driven by our core values and we look for these in every member of our team:

• We Seek Out – We’re always looking for ways to do better.
• We Welcome – We include, respect, and support everyone.
• We Inspire – We believe in every person’s potential.
• We Speak Out – We advocate for what’s right.
• We Serve Others – We act with compassion and purpose.

These values are more than just words—they shape how we work, lead, and serve.

Our North Star

Everything we do is inspired by our ambition that every child and young person we support:

• Builds the relationships that help them discover who they are.
• Develops the skills and confidence to shape their own life.
• Learns how to connect with and contribute to the world around them.

You will play a vital role in achieving this mission.

Our Benefits

We value your commitment and relentless dedication and have crafted a package of health & well-being benefits. Here’s some of what you can expect:

• Funded training, qualifications & career progression across YMCA services.
• Quarterly Campfires – celebrating our impact across the organisation.
• Wellbeing package (after passing probation): 24/7 GP access, health/dental cashback, Employment Assistance Programme.
• Minimum of 23 days annual leave (plus bank holidays), increasing to 28 days with service.
• Discounted YMCA childcare & holiday clubs.
• £500 refer-a-friend bonus.
• Blue Light Card eligibility + 10% discount at YMCA Café and Malt Cross.

Diversity & Safer Recruitment

YMCA Robin Hood Group is committed to equal opportunities, promoting diversity, and creating an inclusive culture where all staff can thrive.

Should you require any adjustments to support your full participation in our recruitment process, we would encourage you to share your needs with us so we can support you with your requirements. Please contact us in the first instance.

We follow rigorous safer recruitment processes to ensure the protection of children, young people, and adults at risk. All applicants will be subject to enhanced DBS checks, reference checks, and thorough vetting as part of our commitment to safeguarding.

What Happens Next?

We reserve the right to close the position earlier than advertised if required. Due to the large number of applications we receive, we will be unable to provide specific feedback on why you may not have been shortlisted. For an informal conversation before applying, please reach out to us and we would be delighted to help.