Field Operations Manager

Job Description
Director of Field Operations: The Architect of Adventure

Are you a master of logistics with a passion for the Wild West? At Southwest Adventure Tours (SWAT) , we don't just book trips; we curate life-changing experiences across the most iconic landscapes on Earth. We are looking for a Director of Field Operations -the ultimate "Architect of Adventure"-to lead the charge.

This isn't a desk job behind a dusty plexiglass window. This is a high-stakes, high-reward leadership role where you serve as the heartbeat of our field presence. You are the bridge between a visionary sales team and the rugged reality of the trail.

Why This Role Matters

You are the guardian of the SWAT experience. From the precision of our fleet to the storytelling prowess of our guides, you ensure that every mile driven and every canyon explored exceeds expectations.

The Mission

• Lead the Legends: You'll mentor, inspire, and manage our elite corps of tour guides-the storytellers and safety-experts who represent our brand on the front lines.
• Command the Fleet: You'll oversee our Fleet Manager to ensure our "offices on wheels" are pristine, safe, and ready for the red rocks.
• Navigate the Parks: You'll be our primary liaison with National and State Parks, mastering the art of the CUA to ensure our access to the most beautiful places in America remains seamless.
• Innovate & Optimize: Work shoulder-to-shoulder with Sales and Ops to turn "impossible" itineraries into flawless realities.

Are You the One?

We're looking for someone who is part General , part Diplomat , and part Explorer . If you can handle a logistics puzzle in the morning and a park ranger negotiation in the afternoon-all while keeping your cool-you belong at SWAT.

Here are the duties and responsibilities you will need to fulfill:1. Leadership and Development of Tour Guides:
• Recruit, train, and manage a highly skilled team of tour guides who uphold SWAT's commitment to excellence, safety, and customer satisfaction.
• Foster a positive and professional work environment that encourages retention and ongoing skill development.
• Conduct regular performance evaluations, provide constructive feedback, and implement training programs to enhance guide knowledge in areas such as local history, geology, safety protocols, and guest engagement.

2. Fleet Operations and Maintenance Oversight
• Ensure the SWAT fleet is operational, well-maintained, and deployed efficiently to meet tour demands while minimizing downtime.
• Work closely with the Fleet Manager to develop and enforce preventative maintenance schedules, track vehicle performance, and ensure compliance with Department of Transportation (DOT) and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations.
• Optimize vehicle allocation and usage to improve cost efficiency and sustainability.

3. Securing and Managing Commercial Use Authorizations (CUAs)
• Obtain, maintain, and ensure compliance with all CUAs for National, State, and other parks and monuments within SWAT's operational scope.
• Track expiration dates, renewal requirements, and new permit applications to prevent lapses in authorization.
• Ensure all necessary permits and documentation are available in each tour vehicle and accessible to guides for enforcement and verification by regulatory agencies.

4. Operational Efficiency and Quality Control
• Develop and implement standard operating procedures (SOPs) for field operations to ensure consistency in tour execution, vehicle management, and compliance adherence.
• Monitor and analyze tour performance metrics, guest feedback, and operational challenges to identify areas for improvement.
• Coordinate with the Sales and Operations teams to align guide assignments with tour demands and customer expectations.

5. Emergency Response and Crisis Management
• Establish and oversee emergency response protocols for vehicle breakdowns, weather-related disruptions, and guest or guide emergencies.
• Ensure all guides and fleet personnel are trained on emergency procedures, first aid requirements, and safety best practices.
• Maintain a rapid-response communication system to address on-tour incidents effectively and minimize operational disruptions.

6. Strategic Growth and Business Development Support
• Collaborate with leadership to identify opportunities for expanding SWAT's tour offerings, improving fleet utilization, and enhancing the guide experience.
• Work with the marketing and sales teams to develop and implement strategies that showcase SWAT's expertise in adventure tourism
• Attend industry trade shows, networking events, and training workshops to remain informed on best practices, industry trends, and regulatory changes.

7. Financial and Budgetary Accountability
• Work within established budgets to manage fleet costs, guide payroll, and operational expenses effectively.
• Identify cost-saving opportunities related to vehicle maintenance, fuel efficiency, and vendor partnerships.
• Ensure financial resources are allocated effectively to support operational priorities without compromising safety or service quality.

By meeting these objectives, the Director of Field Operations plays a critical role in ensuring that SWAT delivers outstanding guided tour experiences, maintains regulatory compliance, and optimizes fleet efficiency while fostering a high-performance tour guide team.

Requirements
1. Professional Experience & "Trail Cred"

• Operations Leadership: 5+ years in a senior management role within the outdoor guiding, adventure travel, or hospitality logistics industry.
• Regulatory Mastery: Proven experience navigating NPS, BLM, and State Park CUA processes. You don't just know what they are; you know how to win them and keep them.
• Fleet & Compliance Knowledge: Working knowledge of DOT and FMCSA regulations . You understand ELDs, vehicle maintenance cycles, and safety audits.
• Personnel Management: Experience managing a distributed or seasonal workforce. You know how to keep a team of independent-minded guides aligned with a central brand vision.

2. Technical & Specialized Skills

• Logistical Strategy: The ability to play "Tetris" with vehicle schedules, guide availability, and ever-changing park entry requirements.
• Safety & Risk Management: Current (or ability to obtain) Wilderness First Responder (WFR) or EMT certification. You should be the calmest person in the room during a crisis.
• Budgetary Literacy: Experience managing P&L for a department, specifically controlling labor costs and fleet overhead (fuel, maintenance, insurance).
• Tech Savvy: Proficiency with fleet management software, CRM tools, and GPS tracking systems to monitor performance and safety in real-time.

3. The "Soft" Skills (The Sizzle)

• The "Calm in the Canyon" Demeanor: A proven track record of high-level problem-solving under pressure. When a van breaks down in a cell-service dead zone, you are the person with the plan.
• Exceptional Communication: You can pivot from a professional negotiation with a Park Superintendent to an inspiring pep talk for a tired guide in the same hour.
• Hyper-Organization: You have a "zero-lapse" mentality regarding permits, renewals, and legal documentation.
• Cultural Architect: A passion for Southwest history and geology that inspires guides to elevate their "shuttle driver" status to "master storyteller."

4. Physical & Logistical Requirements

• Geography: Deep familiarity with the American Southwest's geography and climate patterns.
• Availability: Willingness to be "on-call" during peak season and travel to field sites for quality control and training.
• Licensing: A clean driving record (CDL preferred, but not always required depending on your specific fleet size).

Education Recommendation

• A Bachelor's degree in Recreation & Tourism Management, Business Administration, or a related field is standard, but documented "on-the-ground" experience in high-volume tour operations is often more valuable in this specific industry.

Benefits
The Perks: Why You'll Love the SWAT Life

We believe in rewarding the "Architect of Adventure" with more than just a paycheck. We've built a compensation package that celebrates your efficiency, your leadership, and our collective growth.

? Rewarding Your Impact

• Competitive Base Salary: A strong foundation for a high-impact role.
• The "Performance Power-Up": You aren't just a cog in the machine; you're the driver. You are eligible for multiple performance bonuses tied directly to your success in:
  • Fleet Mastery: Hitting efficiency and utilization targets.
  • Guide Excellence: Boosting guest satisfaction and team retention.
  • Strategic Planning: Mastering the "60-day out" scheduling goal and driving referral sales.
  • Compliance Gold Standard: Flawless CUA and permit management.
• Annual Profit Sharing: When the company wins, you win. We offer an annual net profit-sharing bonus based on your tenure, effort, and the company's overall success.
• Discretionary "Above & Beyond" Bonuses: We recognize and reward those "hero moments" that keep our operations world-class.

? Adventure & Travel Perks

• Travel Like an Insider: Leverage our deep industry roots! Access our "Net-Rate" travel benefit, allowing you to book hotels, excursions, and airfare at our wholesale cost. No markups, no hassle-just world-class vacations for you and your family.
• The "Road Warrior" Per Diem: When you're out in the field, at trade shows, or on FAM trips, your meals are on us. We provide a generous daily per diem ($75/day total) to keep you fueled for the journey.

Flexibility & Freedom

• The Hybrid Advantage: Experience the best of both worlds. Spend three days at our HQ collaborating with the team, and enjoy the flexibility of working from your home office for the remaining two days.
• Unlimited Unpaid Time Off (UPTO): We trust our leaders. As long as the gears are turning and the goals are met, you have the freedom to take the time you need to recharge outside of our peak "adventure windows."

? The Essentials

• Health & Wellness Access: While we don't sponsor a traditional plan, we provide a gateway to optional health, dental, and vision benefit co-ops to ensure you and your family stay trail-ready.
• Growth Environment: You'll be attending industry trade shows and networking events, staying at the cutting edge of the adventure tourism world.