Program Director SWP

Description:

Position: Program Director Location: Moab, UT Department: Operations

• Reports To: Director of Programs and Safety

FLSA: Exempt Date Updated: February 2026

Organizational Overview The Colorado Outward Bound School (COBS) is a non-profit adventure-based education organization that emphasizes personal growth through challenge and experience. For over 60 years our wilderness courses have focused on inspiring responsibility, teamwork, confidence, compassion, and environmental and community stewardship.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Colorado Outward Bound School celebrates diversity and strives to create an inclusive environment for all employees. We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or any other basis covered by applicable law. All employment is based on qualifications and business needs. Outward Bound has a zero-tolerance policy for incidents of child abuse and neglect and will report any suspected abuse or neglect.

We want to be transparent with all applicants that working at the Colorado Outward Bound School means joining a growth-minded community where we are actively dismantling our organization’s white supremacy culture. This conversation shows up at all levels of the organization – in our trainings, in our meetings, on our courses, and in our daily lives. Anti-racism and diversity, equity, and inclusion work can be messy at times and we remain committed to navigating that together. Challenge and discovery are what we do and (un)learning is a fundamental part of our practice. COBS was originally built for and by white men, and now in support of our community members with marginalized identities – at COBS, in the outdoor industry, and beyond – we are actively working on changing that story to support individuals with different identities to empower themselves as we address barriers related to race, culture, socioeconomics, ability, gender, identity, geographic location, and mental health. While we are committed to learning and making necessary changes, we recognize we have a long way to go and want to notify applicants of that up front.

Role Summary The Program Director holds responsibility for the delivery and support of all COBS programs from the Southwest Program, including safety standards, quality control, people management, human resources, staff learning and development, facilities and infrastructure, and efficiency in delivery and cost management. This is a senior-level management position, with supervisory and financial responsibilities. It is an office-based position, with occasional field visits (driving as needed), and reports to the Director of Programs and Safety.

Key Responsibilities and Duties:

• Leadership and Team Management

Embraces and embodies the Outward Bound philosophy, mission, and core values in all interactions with staff, students, colleagues, clients, and the larger community. In alignment with the Director of Programs and Safety, develops and implements a strategic plan for the Southwest Program that supports and advances the school's long-term vision.

• Leads the Southwest Program Leadership Team in executing and implementing the strategy for the Southwest Program.

Works with the Operations Team to prepare our Program Improvement Plan and works to achieve and manage the goals outlined with the Program Administration teams. Works on behalf of COBS with network Outward Bound schools to drive initiatives, and collaborate on a variety of projects.

• Develops and maintains a professional and positive team culture at the Southwest Program.
• Hires, manages, and oversees the training and development of Southwest Program department heads – Associate Program Directors of Safety and Course Delivery, Staffing and Training, and Logistics.

Actively engages in succession planning and mentoring staff to become future leaders of the Southwest Program and COBS.

• Collaborates with the HR Director on team management, succession planning and professional development, employment decisions, employee relations matters, organizational culture.
• Ensures staff adhere to the school's policies and procedures.
• Manages the basecamp residences and staff housing assignments.
• Facilitates and fosters a welcoming community and culture at the SWP, on base, and among staff.

Safety Management

• Supports the integration of the National Safety Standards (NSS) into the Southwest Program.
• Ensures the continual improvement of safety management practices at the Southwest Program.
• Oversees and supports the SWP’s implementation of COBS’s Emergency Response Plan (ERP); participates in on-call support; and assumes programmatic responsibilities during emergencies.
• Supports COBS’s Facilities department in ensuring the safety of all RMP facilities, including compliance with OSHA and Outward Bound NSS.

Program Management & Operations

• Ensures Southwest Program courses comply with OBUSA and COBS safety and risk management standards.
• Ensures Southwest Program courses comply with COBS Educational framework and deliver high-quality educational experiences for our students.
• Ensures accurate and scheduled documenting and reporting with land service agencies and partners for all SWP course areas.

Works with the Associate Program Director of Safety and Course Delivery to ensure compliance and tracking with regards to our land agencies.

• Builds and maintains relations with local organizations. Lake other outfitters and community partners.

Works with the Southwest program team to set launch dates for river sections according to the itinerary.

• Collaborates with the Director of Student Experience to coordinate course planning and schedule Open Enrollment and Groups programs.

Staff Training and Development Works with Associate Program Director of Staffing and Training to ensure all Southwest Program staff are qualified and competent for the jobs they are assigned.

• Ensures Southwest Program staff training is implemented in alignment with the COBS training guidelines.

Works with Associate Program Director of Logistics to ensure staff are appropriately trained in driving COBS’s vehicles. Business Administration

• Collaborates with and provides timely support to COBS’s Finance, Sales, and Admissions teams.

In alignment with the Director of Programs and Safety, and in collaboration with APDs, builds and manages the Southwest Program expense budget. Works with the Director of Finance to analyze and monitor Southwest Program profit and loss budget reports and makes adjustments as necessary. Identifies and works with key team members to implement operational efficiencies.

Requirements:

Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities Personal commitment to and working knowledge of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Understanding of and commitment to Outward Bound program structures, mission, and educational framework. Ability to demonstrate and mentor emotional regulation and balanced decision-making in stressful situations.

High level of professionalism with strong leadership attributes both in work and community environments. Serves as a role model for students, staff, and community, able to manage a range of student behaviors in an inclusive and professional manner. Detail oriented with excellent organizational skills.

Able to prioritize and work on multiple projects simultaneously. Strong personal motivation, initiative, follow-through, and commitment. Proven ability to manage work projects involving multiple stakeholders and decision makers. Ability to work both independently and cooperatively as an engaged team member.

Strong forecasting and budgeting skills for both financial budget and time management. Strong and effective communicator. Ability to give and receive constructive feedback. Proficiency in using the Microsoft Office suite.

Education and Work Experience:

Minimum of 5 years of experience in the outdoor recreation and environmental education fields, with at least 2 years of supervisory experience. Previous management and financial/budgeting experience. High school diploma or general education degree (GED). Bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university is preferred.

Physical Requirements Ability to bend, lift, kneel, crawl, and carry up to 65lbs. Must be able to work around confined spaces, underground, at heights, and above ground. Requires sitting at a desk or computer at least 30% of the time. Must be able to drive to and among facility locations, including drive times of approximately 6 hours.

Compensation and Benefits:

Full-time 11-months (January-November), exempt position with an annualized salary range of $60,000-$66,000, depending on qualifications.

Benefits eligibility for medical, dental, and vision insurance, where COBS pays a significant amount toward healthcare premiums and provides employee-paid short- and long-term disability coverage and basic life insurance.:

20 days of Paid Time Off that accrues throughout the first year, with an additional day of PTO added for each consecutive year of service. 56 hours of paid Sick Leave. 40 hours of paid time for approved volunteer activities and community service. 401k eligibility available after one year of service. ProDeal eligibility.

Application Process Please submit a resume and cover letter to Lance Plank (he/him), Director of Programs and Safety, through the application link via Paylocity. We will be accepting only internal applications through March 15th. **Colorado Outward Bound School is an E-Verify Employer**