Founding Academic Director - Future CS/AI Camp

National Math Camps (NMC) is in early planning stages for a new residential summer program at the intersection of mathematics, computer science, and artificial intelligence, targeting mathematically advanced high school students (ages 15-18). We're looking for a founding Academic Director to help us figure out what this program should be, and eventually to lead it.

Camp launch is targeted for 2028. For 2026 - 2027, the primary work is collaborative planning with NMC's HQ team: developing the curriculum vision and academic model, and identifying what distinguishes this program from existing CS and math enrichment offerings. Then in 2027–28, the focus shifts to preparing for the first summer.

The initial appointment is Academic Planning Director, which is a part-time year-round role. Once the program is operational, the role will expand to include a second linked Academic Director appointment (seasonal, salaried) that provides on-site academic leadership during camp.

At NMC, our Academic Director roles have significant ownership over themes, curriculum, faculty selection, and camper admissions — without carrying the full burden of administration and operations. Each camp also has a Camp Director and Camper Support Director, and all three roles work closely with our HQ team to put all of the pieces in place to ensure an exceptional camp experience for both students and staff.

At National Math Camps, we believe that summer math camps provide transformative experiences that deeply strengthen students' mathematical knowledge and identity. Many of today’s premier mathematicians and scientists point to their participation in math camps as a critical step in their mathematical journeys. It is in these immersive programs that they discovered the beauty and joy of mathematics in a tight-knit community of other “mathy” students and decided to pursue careers that push innovation in the STEM fields. 

Yet, the demand for rigorous math camps in the U.S. far exceeds the available opportunities, leaving many talented students without access to these life-changing experiences. We’re here to change that. Our mission is to ensure that all mathematically talented students have access to rigorous summer programs where they can thrive.

Planning Phase:

• Collaborate with HQ to develop the program's academic identity: thematic focus, guiding principles, and what makes the experience distinctive.
• Design a curriculum framework spanning core courses, electives, and project-based or exploratory work — with particular attention to bridging rigorous mathematics and computational/applied topics.
• Identify and prototype course topics in areas such as: algorithms and discrete math, probability and randomized methods, optimization, reinforcement learning, and data science foundations.
• Advise on admissions criteria and assessment design appropriate for the target audience.
• Collaborate with NMC on program structure, staffing model, and camp format.

Preparing For Your First Summer:

• Participate in the hiring of faculty and learning assistants; make final hiring decisions.
• Invite guest speakers.
• Participate in the development of the application problem set, and make final decisions about which campers to admit to your camp.
• Support faculty in preparing their courses and help plan on-site faculty orientation.
• Finalize course offerings, schedules, and learning assistant assignments.
• Prepare for any additional academic programming and for any classes you will personally teach.
• Determine academic purchasing needs.
• Prepare for on-site learning assistant training.
• Participate in the annual camp leadership retreat each spring.

During Camp:

• Lead training and orientation for faculty and learning assistants.
• Teach classes, including mentoring any learning assistants assigned to your course.
• Oversee and mentor faculty; lead regular faculty meetings; observe instruction and provide feedback to ensure high instructional quality.
• Oversee learning assistants and help resolve issues that arise.
• Lead or oversee additional academic programming elements.
• Assign students to classes.
• Participate actively in camp leadership meetings and collaborate to keep camp running smoothly, stepping in to assist with urgent issues or special situations as needed.
• Be a visible part of the camp community—regularly sharing meals with students and joining non-academic activities.
• During wrap-up, review and edit camper letters home and provide performance feedback for faculty and learning assistants.

• Academic Background: Ph.D. (or equivalent experience) in mathematics or a closely related field strongly preferred.
• Teaching Experience: Significant experience teaching mathematics using active-learning approaches.
• Math Enrichment Experience: Experience teaching mathematically advanced middle or high school students in a math summer program or similar enrichment setting.
• Student Focus: A passion for creating transformational experiences that help students learn what it means to be a mathematician through exploration and problem-solving.
• Leadership & Mentorship: Demonstrated ability to mentor and inspire faculty, learning assistants, and students.
• Collaboration: Ability to work closely with other camp leaders to foster a safe, inclusive, and joyful environment.
• Energy & Enthusiasm: Excitement about spending several weeks actively engaging with students and colleagues as part of a vibrant community.

Academic Planning Director Appointment

This year-round part-time role will start in fall 2026.

• Cmpensated at $50/hour.
• We expect ~50 hours during the 2026 - 2027 academic year and then 100 - 125 hours each academic year going forward.
• We strongly encourage new Academic Directors to spend at least two weeks visiting and teaching at our existing camps in the summer before launching their own camp. We cover room, board, and travel in addition to the hourly rate.

Academic Director Appointment

The Academic Director will be on-site at camp for 5-7 weeks each summer (TBD), including 4-6 weeks of camp and one week of preparatory and wrap-up work.

• We provide a stipend of $2000/week for this period, plus room, board, and travel.
• We are happy to accommodate Academic Directors traveling with family members or with housing needs that prevent use of standard room and board arrangements.

Additional Benefits

• Children/dependents of camp staff receive a 20% discount on tuition to any NMC camp.
• Camp leadership are eligible for our 401(k) plan, including a 4% company match. 

Click "APPLY FOR THIS JOB" below to fill out the online application.

• A portfolio is not necessary for this position. 
• We will ask for a reference in the application and request that the reference you provide can speak to your skills that are relevant to the role.
• Please note that all applicants must be authorized to work in the US.

We will consider applications on a rolling basis. National Math Camps is an equal-opportunity employer and encourages candidates from all backgrounds to apply. Feel free to reach out to [email protected] with any questions.