Director of Outdoor Adventure & Programs

Salary: $129,000 – $150,000

Initial appointments are typically made at the entry point of the salary range. Placement above the minimum may be considered where a candidate demonstrates exceptional qualifications or extensive directly relevant experience. Band: [D2]

Application Deadline: July 15,2026

 

ABOUT NYC OUTWARD BOUND SCHOOLS

Founded in 1987, NYC Outward Bound Schools is a nonprofit organization that partners with more than 100 public schools across NYC to engage students in equitable, immersive and joyful learning that prepares them to thrive in community, college and career. Our unique approach to programming focuses on adventurous learning — daring exploration, real-world engagement, and meaningful challenge — whether in school, local communities, or the outdoors. In schools, we coach teachers and school leaders to implement Crew, our signature advisory structure that supports student connection and belonging, and Instruction for Deeper Learning in the classroom. Outdoors, whether in the city or upstate at our wilderness basecamp, we deliver adventure programming to students, helping them realize that they can do hard things, and develop leadership skills like collaboration and initiative that transfer to the academic classroom. In all spaces where we work, we support students to be co-creators of their own learning and growth, in environments where their voices are heard and valued. Every day, we are proving that transformation and innovation can happen within a public school system, and that with truly equitable schools, all students — regardless of background or circumstance — are capable of achieving at high levels.

Role Summary:

Reporting to the VP, Programs with a matrix line to the CEO, the Director of Outdoor Adventure & Programs leads the strategy, operations, and delivery of all experiential outdoor and climbing wall programming at NYC Outward Bound Schools — creating inclusive opportunities where young people discover their capacity through challenge, exploration, and student-led adventure.

This is an exciting moment for the organization as we envision significant growth in our outdoor programming footprint. The Director will build and maintain the systems, structures, and staff culture needed to realize that vision. This role calls for a systems-minded, strong people leader who excels at delegation, coaching, and balanced risk management.

As a member of the organization’s leadership team, the Director contributes to strategic decisions and helps foster an equity-focused culture across the organization.

 

Essential Responsibilities:

Program Leadership & Quality

• Lead the development of multi-year strategy, operational plans, and budgets for outdoor adventure programming
• Oversee all outdoor adventure programming — in-city and at remote locations in NY State — ensuring consistent delivery of high-quality, SEAD-aligned, equity-centered experiences
• Design new and innovative programmatic offerings, including new courses within and outside NYC, that center student leadership, intellectual risk-taking, and belonging
• Research and implement best practices in outdoor and experiential education in alignment with the organization’s mission, vision, and guiding principles
• Oversee climbing wall programming to ensure a safe, compliant, and student-empowering environment
• Continuously assess program implementation for adherence to safety standards; collaborate with the Director of Safety to uphold and evolve those standards
• Ensure staff understand and consistently follow all OBUSA and NYCOBS safety policies; proactively manage operational hazards, maintain culturally responsive safety briefings, and drive continuous improvement through timely incident reporting and analysis
• Oversee the NYCOBS on-call system and in-field emergency response operations, participating in on-call rotation as needed
• Partner closely with the School-Based Coaching team to align outdoor programming with in-school Crew and deeper learning frameworks — intentionally designing experiences that reinforce shared language, student development goals, and the transfer of growth from the wilderness back to the classroom

Systems, Operations & Planning

• Develop and coordinate the program calendar in collaboration with the sales team; develop and refine staffing assignments to support delivery
• Coordinate the development and refinement of program materials — instructor guides, curriculum, lesson plans, and training resources — in collaboration with the team
• Manage site relationships, including serving as the Sharpe Reservation point of contact, to maintain effective communication and access to high-quality facilities
• Develop and manage the outdoor adventure programming budget, including revenue forecasting and fiscal performance tracking, to ensure financial sustainability
• Ensure compliance with grant agreement requirements, including monitoring progress toward impact targets and reporting obligations
• Apply a continuous improvement framework to adapt programming using data, responding to strategic shifts and supporting team growth
• Contribute to the creation of reports, case studies, and communications that capture the impact of outdoor adventure programming for NYC young people

People Leadership & Culture

• Ensure all outdoor adventure staff receive the training, feedback, and support needed to deliver high-quality programs
• Lead the effective development and management of a team of instructors and outdoor adventure program staff
• Cultivate an engaging and inclusive environment that attracts and retains a diverse pool of qualified talent
• Provide regular coaching and meaningful feedback to direct reports, aligned with the organization’s mission, vision, and core values
• Foster cross-departmental collaboration, accountability, and individual initiative across the organization
• Model and promote the organization’s core values, including leading with awareness of our commitment to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion

External Partnerships & Visibility

• Serve as the organizational representative in regional and national outdoor adventure networking and conferences, including as the lead liaison with Outward Bound USA
• Identify, pursue, and implement strategic partnerships and grant-funded initiatives that advance the organization’s mission, including our vision for outdoor infrastructure across the five boroughs and beyond
• Contribute to fundraising efforts, including donor cultivation and volunteer engagement, to support the growth and sustainability of outdoor programming

Qualifications:

Behavioral Competencies:

• Strong commitment to educational equity for BIPOC youth and demonstrated dedication to our core values of community, courage, equity, integrity, and learning
• Strong people leader — skilled at developing, coaching, and delegating to a team
• Proven ability to assess, manage, and mitigate risk in outdoor and experiential programming environments, balancing participant safety with developmental challenge
• Systems thinker and planner — builds and maintains the operational infrastructure that supports sustained program growth
• Demonstrated ability to build trust and influence across diverse stakeholders
• Exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal, with adaptability a cross audiences

Skills & Experience:

• Minimum of 7 years of relevant experience, at least 5 in leadership or management roles overseeing teams with multiple reporting levels
• Deep understanding of experiential education and positive youth development, with a demonstrated ability to design programming that supports young people's social, emotional, and academic growth
• Demonstrated ability to design and facilitate professional development and training for adults
• Demonstrated experience managing six-figure budgets, including developing financial projections and tracking fiscal performance
• Experience with complex, multi-site program planning across diverse timelines and stakeholder groups
• Experience managing foundation grants and working toward sales or revenue targets preferred
• Digital proficiency, including Google Workspace and Microsoft Office
• Ability to obtain and maintain required outdoor adventure certifications upon hire (training provided)
• Current and valid U.S. driver’s license held for a minimum of 5 years; ability to drive in the city and to remote locations
• Ability to work outdoors for extended periods (including overnight camping), in varied weather conditions, and to lift up to 50 lbs.
• Successful completion of a NYC Department of Education background check

Benefits:

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• HRA/FSA/Transit accounts
• Life insurance
• 403(b) with employer match after one year
• Generous PTO

Location: Hybrid position. Required on-site Monday and Wednesday at the organization’s headquarters in Long Island City (Queens). During peak program seasons — including training periods, events, and high-volume course delivery — this role requires significant additional on-site and field presence beyond the standard hybrid schedule. Travel to remote course locations, including overnight stays, is a regular part of the role.

Application Process: Please submit a resume and cover letter by July 15th, 2026. C andidates can expect to participate in the following steps as part of NYC Outward Bound Schools’ selection process. At each stage, our HR team will communicate timelines and expectations:

• Resume Screen
• Introductory Phone Interview (conducted by the hiring manager or our HR team)
• Panel Interview and Performance Task
• Final Interview

Outward Bound has a zero-tolerance policy for incidents of child abuse and neglect and will report any suspected abuse or neglect.

Studies have shown that certain populations, including women and people of color, are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they can perform every job description task. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may come from a less traditional background. We may consider an equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education, and experience to meet minimum qualifications. If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to think broadly about your background and skill set for the role.

NYC Outward Bound Schools is an equal-opportunity employer. We prohibit discrimination against and harassment of any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, gender, pregnancy, genetic information, ethnic or national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, familial status, military or veteran status, qualified individuals with a disability on the basis of the disability, or any other category which may be protected under applicable state or federal law.

NYC Outward Bound Schools is an equal opportunity employer. We prohibit discrimination against, and harassment of, any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, gender, pregnancy, genetic information, ethnic or national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, familial status, military or veteran status, qualified individuals with a disability on the basis of the disability, or any other category which may be protected under applicable state or federal law.