General Manager

General Manager - Business Operations

Sonoma County, CA

Remote for first 2 months and then Hybrid Flexible/Full-Time

SALARY RANGE: $140,000 – $180,000 Commensurate with experience and Full benefits package Reports solely to and in partnership with - the Founder - with expectations of growth.

★ Nature Passion Required - “The Forest is the Therapist, the Guide opens the Doors.”

We believe nature carries the wisdom and offers the healing that each person needs. — Mission

Who We Are

We are a globally recognized organization that has been training Forest Therapy guides for over a decade — certifying professionals to lead others through mindful, therapeutic experiences in nature. Our work spans online and in-person training programs across more than 50 countries, with thousands of certified guides bringing the healing power of nature to communities worldwide. We offer guide certifications, trail certifications, specialty healthcare programs accredited through Mass General Brigham (a Harvard Medical School teaching affiliate), and immersive retreats on every continent. We are profitable, growing, and deeply committed to our mission: Supporting planetary health by nurturing heart-centered relationships between people and the natural world.

THE OPPORTUNITY

Our founder is relocating to Sonoma County and establishing a new operational home base. We need a grounded, operationally strong General Manager to come in, stabilize the business side of our organization, and build the infrastructure that allows our mission to scale sustainably. This is a hands-on role with real breadth — you'll dive deep into finance, HR, systems, vendor management, and cross-academy coordination. You'll work closely and directly with the founder during this transition, serving as the operational anchor while he focuses on vision and growth. If you're a capable operator who is also genuinely called to work that connects people with the natural world — this role was made for you.

DAY TO DAY

What You'll Do

Finance & Books: Get financial systems in order, coordinate with bookkeepers, and ensure clean accurate reporting.

Human Resources: Manage hiring, onboarding, staffing transitions, benefits administration, and HR compliance.

Operations & Administration: Lead day-to-day operations and oversee the transition to new Sonoma County operations.

Academy Coordination: Coordinate operational needs across four academy directors to ensure organizational alignment.

Technology & Vendors: Oversee IT contractors and manage external vendor relationships across business systems.

Founder Partnership: Work directly alongside the founder to support leadership transition planning as the org evolves.

REQUIREMENTS

What You Bring

NON-NEGOTIABLE - A genuine, authentic connection to nature and the mission of forest therapy. You don’t just appreciate the outdoors — you feel called to work that deepens the relationship between people and the natural world.

• Strong operational and HR management experience within a small organization — you know how to build systems, not just follow them.
• Experience handling hiring, employee relations, compliance, and organizational transitions, including the messy, ambiguous moments in between.
• Comfort with financial coordination — getting books organized, working with outside accountants, and keeping the financial picture clean and current.
• Ease overseeing technology systems and external vendors without needing to be highly technical yourself.
• A calm, trusted leadership presence with strong interpersonal judgment — especially important when working directly alongside a founder in transition.
• Adaptability, initiative, and comfort thriving in a hands-on, evolving environment where the roadmap isn’t always fully drawn in advance.

WHERE & HOW

Location & Schedule

NOW → ~2 MONTHS Fully Remote while founder completes relocation to Sonoma County...THEN Sonoma County. Turns to flexible hybrid once the office opens in Sonoma County

Results-focused — the work matters more than when you're in the office!