Senior Manager of Historical Initiatives, Great Camp Sagamore, (Raquette Lake, NY)

Posted September 24, 2026

Description

About Great Camp Sagamore

Great Camp Sagamore is a 17-acre National Historic Landmark and is one of the first of the nationally renowned Adirondack “Great Camps,” located in one of the most remote areas of the Adirondack Park. Today, Great Camp Sagamore is owned, preserved, and operated by Sagamore Institute of the Adirondacks. We are an educational, private, non-profit institution dedicated to stewarding Great Camp Sagamore as a welcoming place for educational and recreational programs and fostering connections to history, nature, and community.

Sagamore welcomes guests from late May through late October and on two separate days during the winter. Guests come from around the world to take tours, participate in overnight and day experiences, attend conferences, get married, host family reunions, and enjoy concerts.

Working at Sagamore Institute of the Adirondacks

Sagamore employs a core group of year-round staff members and additional seasonal staff to support our on-campus programs and activities. During the season, most staff members live on campus with meals provided. We maintain a collaborative work environment where all staff members are expected to lead by example, work closely together positively, and foster a safe, encouraging, and enjoyable workplace.

The Sagamore Institute of the Adirondacks is committed to creating and sustaining a diverse, inclusive, and equitable work environment that empowers all staff members to grow and be active within decision-making spaces. We are committed to ensuring an anti-racist culture and a work environment free from discrimination and harassment. Sagamore does not discriminate based on gender, gender expression, sexual identity, sexual orientation, race, class, color, age, ethnicity, first language, religion or belief, family, marital, parental, military, or veteran status. This policy applies to all aspects of employment, including recruitment, hiring, promotion, discipline, termination, compensation, benefits, training, and professional development.

At Great Camp Sagamore, all employees help to facilitate camp offerings. In addition to one’s job-specific duties, other tasks may be assigned, as needed, to support camp operations for the employee’s department or other camp departments.

Position Description

The Senior Manager, Historical Initiatives supports the history department at Great Camp Sagamore. This position is responsible for the preservation and stewardship of Sagamore’s history; training and managing seasonal historical interpreters; implementation and expansion of history programs and events to support the organization’s vision, mission, and values; and serving as the administrative and operational onsite lead for the history department under the guidance of the senior director.

Responsibilities

HISTORY, ARCHIVES, AND INTERPRETATION

• Sagamore Archives – Catalogue and organize existing and newly acquired archival materials; plan, assign, and execute the organization of that archive; and create a physical storage space that preserves the physical materials according to archival best practices as well as ease of use and accessibility.
  B. Historical Research & Content Development – Continuously identify new and relevant historical documents and information related to Sagamore and its history for outward facing purposes, including refinements to the history tour scripts; and identifying, cataloging, and making accessible existing and new Sagamore oral histories.

PROGRAMS & PARTNERSHIPS

• Program Management & Development – Under the guidance of the senior director, manage existing tours, programs & events and identify opportunities for the expansion and redefinition/repurposing of History programs and events to meet changing visitor interests and demographics and in support Sagamore’s vision, mission and values.
• Partnerships & Stakeholders – Develop, maintain, and strengthen relationships with peer institutions and regional partners, serving as a liaison to identify opportunities for collaboration, expand cooperative offerings, and advance shared organizational goals.
• Program Evaluation & Optimization – Analyze and process existing data relating to History tours, programs, and events to optimize future offerings and performance.

COMMUNICATION & COLLABORATION

• Cross-Department Coordination – Partner, coordinate, and communicate with the programs, operations, and marketing managers as well as other Sagamore leadership to ensure ideal cross-departmental coordination, communication and partnership.
• Marketing Support – Partner with the Marketing Manager to identify and advance history-specific marketing and communications opportunities.
• Grant Support – Support and collaborate with the senior director and executive director(s) on grants, as identified.

OPERATION SYSTEMS

• Platform & Scheduling Administration – Develop competency in Sagamore’s various customer booking and communication platforms, coordinating with operations and marketing to routinely schedule, update, edit, and maintain them.

SEASONAL MANAGEMENT

• Hiring – Support and assist the senior director to hire/rehire 5-6 new and returning seasonal history department staff.
• Onboarding – Communicate and welcome incoming staff prior to arrival and meet with successful candidates to discuss, assign and monitor projects, including establishing target dates for completion, how you and/or the senior director can support the work, and discussions of any other support needs.
• Training – Support senior director in training, mentoring, and supporting seasonal interpreters in delivering engaging, accurate, and consistent historic tours.
• Scheduling – Develop and maintain weekly staff schedules, subject to senior director approval, ensuring appropriate coverage for regular programming, special events, and cross-departmental needs.
• Project Supervision – Identify, supervise and coordinate History staff projects, giving feedback and reviews as needed.

HISTORY MANAGEMENT SUPPORT

Generally, provide management, decision-making, and leadership when the senior director is not in residence including serving as liaison between core leadership staff and seasonal staff, working on other short-term collaborations that may arise, and supporting other departments on special events or initiatives.

Qualifications

Required

• Master’s degree or equivalent in History, Library/Archival sciences, or a related field, or a Bachelors’ degree with substantial work experience in these fields.
• A minimum of 1-3 years of experience in a majority, or all, of the responsibilities identified.

Relevant Skills

• Excellent communication, writing, presentation, and project management skills.
• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills, with the ability to guide and collaborate effectively with peers and staff, navigate unexpected challenges, and respond thoughtfully to emerging issues.
• Planning and project management experience, with the ability to organize and advance multiple priorities and projects.
• Demonstrated self-starter with a “figure it out” mindset and a willingness to learn new information, skills, software, applications, and processes.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage competing priorities.
• Enthusiasm for sharing Adirondack history and engaging with guests, with the ability to make historical information accessible, interesting, and meaningful to diverse audiences.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift and carry 30 lbs., for short distances
• Ability to walk up and down ~200 feet of elevation (not all at the same time)
• Ability to traverse gravel roads/paths and occasionally uneven terrain for a minimum of at least 1 mile per day, and sometimes up to 5 miles (again, not all at once).

Hours and Compensation

Job Title: Senior Manager, Historical Initiatives
Location: Raquette Lake, NY (May-October), Remote (November-May)
Job Type: Full-time, year-round, non-exempt
Salary & Benefits: Starting at $26 – $28 per hour. On-campus lodging & meals in season, health & retirement benefits, paid time off and sick leave.
Reports to: Senior Director, Historical Initiatives

How to Apply

This position is immediately available and remains open until filled.

1. Submit an application form via our website: www.sagamore.org/employment
2. The hiring team will review your application and contact you to let you know whether you will be
   moving forward in the process.
3. Advancing applicants will be invited to participate in the interview process, including phone and/or
   virtual interviews.
4. Selected candidates will be sent an offer letter and new-hire information.