Position Description

Wilderness Inquiry’s mission is to connect people of all ages, backgrounds, identities, and abilities through shared outdoor adventures so that all people can equitably experience the benefits of time spent in nature.

At Wilderness Inquiry, we believe that everyone belongs. We work to ensure this belief holds true in our workplace, in our community, and in the outdoors. We pursue this belief through our mission and shared values of paddling together, nurturing inclusion, seeking the exceptional, and finding a way.  

Position Summary and Dimensions

Summary

The Senior Manager of Near-Nature and Extended Adventures is responsible for the planning, management, oversight, and successful outcomes of Wilderness Inquiry’s adventure programming, including overnight camping trips (1- to 2-night “near-nature” adventures), multi-night adventures (3- to 15-night “extended” adventures), and staff training associated with this area of our work. Wilderness Inquiry adventures take place in front- and backcountry settings at local, regional, national, and even international destinations. Activities include camping, paddling, hiking, cultural immersion, and other outdoor opportunities that foster community and belonging in the natural world. This position leads a three-person team within the Strategy and Programs Department, with staff oversight and budget responsibility for revenues and expenses associated with this area of our mission.

Dimensions

Working Title: Senior Manager of Near-Nature and Extended Adventures
Position Classification: Senior Manager
Employment Conditions: Exempt
Department / Section: Strategy and Programs / Near-Nature and Extended Adventures
Classification Range: $76,000-$90,000
Reports To: Strategy and Programs Director
Supervisory Responsibilities: 2 program managers

Essential Roles and Responsibilities

Responsibility 1: Lead the Near-Nature and Extended Adventures Team (65%)

Tasks

1. Provide strategic guidance and leadership for programmatic development and delivery. 
2. Oversee the Trip Development Calendar, budget, and timeline, which includes the creation, scheduling, and execution of new and recurring trips in conjunction with the Operations Team. 
3. Develop and lead the implementation of annual programmatic outcomes and strategies for successful execution, evaluation, and refinement. 
4. Manage and oversee the Section’s budget, with responsibility for achieving trip sales revenue goals and managing program expenses. 
5. Supervise staff and provide leadership within the wider organization and among Outdoor Leaders to achieve outcomes in alignment with organizational priorities. 
6. Collaborate with other Senior Managers to align across departments and set policies and procedures to achieve organization goals and ensure appropriate systems and training are in place for overall program success. 
7. Provide leadership and collaborate across teams to advance and implement near-nature and extended adventures:
   1. With the Operations Team: to ensure that near-nature and extended trips are resourced appropriately; the quantity and timing of extended offerings align with program and budget goals; and the operational elements of trips (e.g., food, equipment, staffing, etc.) ensure an exceptional customer experience and successful adventures. 
   2. With the Development Team: to ensure grant and fundraising commitments are met. 
   3. With the Marketing Team: to ensure trip promotion is accurate, compelling, and effective. 
8. Prioritize outcomes related to program accessibility and inclusion for people with disabilities and affinity identities and implement strategies for successful execution, evaluation, and improvement. 
9. Oversee department functions including Trip Directing, policy and procedure development, quality and accuracy of trip destination data, and staff training. 
10. Act as Leadership-On-Call for assigned weeks. 

Responsibility 2: Partnership and Account Management Oversight (20%)

Tasks

1. Collaborate with the Strategy and Programs Director and other Senior Managers to support strategic partnership development, business development, and expansion. 
2. Manage high-priority accounts and key organizational relationships, demonstrating strong customer relationship management skills.
3. Oversee Near-Nature and Extended Adventures partnerships and management of assigned accounts in order to reach trip sales revenue goals, service numbers, and organizational deliverables.
4. Manage systems and processes to promote mission partnerships, emphasize a customer-focused culture, and achieve revenue goals. 
5. Collaborate with relevant team members to help share the story of Wilderness Inquiry Near-Nature and Extended Adventures, and reach new audiences.

Responsibility 3: Organizational Leadership and Customer Experience (15% FTE)

Tasks

1. Provide leadership within Wilderness Inquiry to promote organization values, business priorities, and the goals and priorities of the Near-Nature and Extended Adventures Team. 
2. Provide leadership and guidance for Outdoor Leader Staff Training and Outdoor Leader management, ensuring that the operational and program needs of Near-Nature and Extended Adventures are met and implemented. 
3. Lead as a subject matter expert and supervise training content planning and scheduling for Outdoor Leader Extended Programming Field Training; ensure content prioritization based on safety, quality, program, and budget goals.
4. Provide leadership and guidance for Near-Nature and Extended Adventures trip assessments, including customer surveys and staff evaluations.
5. Oversee design, enhancement, and review of the customer experience on Wilderness Inquiry overnight and multi-night adventures to align with desired program outcomes.

Responsibility 4: Embrace Values, Community Agreements and Other Roles/Responsibilities as Assigned

Tasks

1. Support organizational special events including Outdoor Leader Staff Training, Great River Race, Opportunity Fund, quarterly Board meetings, and other organization-wide gatherings. 
2. Perform all job responsibilities in a manner that centers Wilderness Inquiry values and supports a healthy, safe, and productive work environment for all employees by adhering to Workplace Community Agreements.
3. Actively engage in other duties as assigned, including assisting with mission-oriented events, programs, and core audience engagements.

Please note: These are not intended to encompass all roles and responsibilities of this position; other duties may be assigned at the discretion of the supervisor.

Qualifications and Requirements

Required Qualifications:

• B.A. or equivalent degree and 3+ years of related professional work experience in a manager-level role, OR  5+ years of related professional work experience in a manager-level role
• 2+ years of demonstrated supervisory or team-leader experience 
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple details and projects simultaneously
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Demonstrated time management and organizational skills that improve operational efficiency
• Strong proficiency with Mac computers, spreadsheets, and database management

Desired Qualifications and Characteristics: 

• Demonstrated leadership experience in the outdoor recreation sector
• Experience developing and managing budgets
• Passion for Wilderness Inquiry’s inclusive mission, outdoor adventure, and connecting people to the benefits of nature
• Experience and interest in program design, delivery, and logistics
• Demonstrated experience in continuous improvement and systems management
• Experience working with Wilderness Inquiry core audiences – military families, BIPOC communities, people with disabilities, and school and youth groups
  
• A self-starter who takes initiative
  
• Excellent computer and database skills
  
• Collaborative and team-oriented
  
• Willingness to listen, learn, and continuously improve 
  
• Flexible, persistent, and attentive to detail
  
• Enjoys variety and is open to learning new roles

Physical Requirements:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, talk and hear, and use hands to handle or touch objects or controls. The employee is regularly required to stand and walk. The employee must occasionally be able to lift and carry heavy loads up to 50lbs over rough terrain for distances of up to 1,000 feet. On occasion the employee must be able to make loud verbal commands, sit and stand for significant periods of time while also directing vessels such as a canoe, use vision to directionally navigate safely, and endure a wide variety of temperatures and elements. Specific vision abilities required by this job include the ability to see while using a standard computer screen, close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. The above statements reflect the general details necessary to describe the principle functions of the occupation described and shall not be construed as a detailed description of all the work requirements that may be inherent in the occupation.

Work Environment:

This is a hybrid position that reports to Wilderness Inquiry’s Headquarters in Bloomington, MN. Individuals can expect a minimum of 2 days in-person, with more in-person days required during busy programming times. This position will be expected to attend and facilitate in-person day and overnight training in the field including the backcountry. Opportunities to work remotely will be available when responsibilities allow.