Operations Manager

Earth Native Wilderness School is seeking a highly capable Operations Manager to help oversee the day-to-day business, program, enrollment, marketing, and administrative operations of our outdoor and environmental education organization. This is a senior leadership role for someone who thrives in a small-team environment, enjoys wearing many hats, and is energized by building systems, supporting people, strengthening enrollment, and helping mission-driven work run smoothly and sustainably. The Operations Manager reports to the Executive Director and Operations Director and works closely with the leadership team to provide big-picture oversight while also staying closely connected to staff, families, and operational details. This position plays a key role in both operational excellence and organizational development. The Operations Manager helps ensure Earth Native's programs run smoothly while also supporting enrollment, marketing, outreach, and long-term organizational sustainability. Position Overview Earth Native has a small administrative team and does not operate with many narrowly defined specialist roles. This position requires a flexible, capable generalist who can move between operations, people management, marketing support, enrollment support, organizational projects, and problem-solving with confidence and professionalism. This is a broad operational leadership role within a small organization. The successful candidate will oversee and support functions that in larger organizations are often divided among operations, enrollment, HR, marketing, and administrative departments. The ideal candidate is organized, calm under pressure, creative, and comfortable navigating a wide range of responsibilities, priorities, and conversations. Success in this role requires strong initiative, good judgment, and the ability to independently identify problems, develop solutions, and follow through without extensive oversight. Earth Native is a growing organization where administrative team members regularly contribute outside of narrowly defined job descriptions. While this position provides strategic oversight, it also requires a willingness to engage directly with operational details and help wherever needed. Key Responsibilities Operations and Program Management Oversee day-to-day business operations and help streamline systems and workflows Provide big-picture logistical oversight of youth and adult programs across multiple seasons and locations Coordinate program scheduling and operational logistics Manage and update the registration system, including building and maintaining backend program registrations Oversee an Operations Administrator and support their workflow and priorities Marketing, Outreach, and Communications Support marketing efforts for youth and adult programs Take an active role in helping Earth Native maintain healthy enrollments through marketing, outreach, customer communication, and continuous improvement of enrollment systems Manage or coordinate social media and customer-facing communications Assist with outreach, events, and printed materials Create or coordinate visually appealing, clear, and effective communications using available tools Help maintain and expand marketing reach, website SEO, and digital visibility Write copy for the Earth Native website when needed Enrollment and Revenue Support Track program budgets, monitor expenses, and help ensure program financial sustainability Support strong enrollments and operational efficiency across programs Work with leadership to support revenue goals through effective systems, communication, and marketing efforts Staff Management and HR Support Help oversee hiring, onboarding, scheduling, and support for approximately 17 to 25 youth and adult instructors Coordinate staff schedules, substitutes, and assignments with a big-picture perspective Process staff timesheets and support payroll-related workflows Assist with HR-related responsibilities connected to hiring and staffing Family, Client, and Partner Communication Engage with families, participants, and partner organizations via email, phone, and in person Provide clear, timely, and professional customer service Demonstrate ability to navigate difficult conversations with professionalism, sound judgment, and appropriate boundaries Maintain positive relationships with partner organizations, permitting agencies, and licensing bodies Compliance and Field Support Manage permits, licensing, and other compliance-related tasks Occasionally step in to support programs in the field when needed Required Qualifications Minimum of 4 years in a management or leadership position Marketing experience relevant to a small, mission-driven organization, such as: Social media management Google Ads or digital advertising Customer-facing communications Strong alignment with Earth Native’s mission and values around environmental and nature-based education Highly organized, proactive, and very self-directed Excellent people and personnel management skills Very strong written and verbal communication skills Demonstrated ability to navigate difficult conversations with professionalism, sound judgment, and appropriate boundaries Proven ability to manage multiple competing priorities and deadlines simultaneously Comfort using computer systems, online tools, and learning new platforms. Experience with Mac and Apple platforms preferred Calm, clear-headed problem solver with a flexible mindset Willingness to work some weekends and a variable, seasonal schedule Preferred Qualifications Background or experience in outdoor education, environmental education, or related fields Familiarity with topics taught at Earth Native, such as wilderness skills, naturalist studies, tracking, or nature connection Experience working in a small administrative team Experience managing multi-program or seasonal operations Compensation and Benefits Paid Time Off 5 weeks annually: 1 week Thanksgiving 1 week Spring Break 1 week mid-summer Additional Benefits Health Insurance with ACA Gold and Silver plan options Paid sick leave and job-related injury or illness leave Paid maternity and paternity leave SIMPLE IRA with 3 percent employer match Free or discounted Earth Native adult courses Discounts for dependent children enrolled in youth programs Who This Role is a Good Fit For Enjoys variety and responsibility rather than narrow specialization Is confident, grounded, and comfortable handling complex logistics and conversations Wants meaningful work in a mission-driven organization Thrives in a small team where initiative and adaptability matter Enjoys building systems, improving organizations, and helping programs thrive Wants the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the future success of a growing organization Earth Native is entering an exciting stage of organizational development. We are seeking someone who wants to help shape the future of the organization, improve systems, strengthen enrollment, and help build the organizational infrastructure that supports exceptional nature-based education at Earth Native for years to come. This position offers significant opportunity for influence, initiative, and professional growth. #J-18808-Ljbffr