Reporting to the Assistant Director of Outdoor Experience, the Experiential and Field Programs Manager will be instrumental in developing and delivering programming such as outdoor skill development clinics, trips, student leadership training, challenge programs, and working with revenue-generating programs at the James C. Kennedy Mountain Campus. This position will work split time between the Urban and James C. Kennedy Mountain (KMC) campuses and field locations throughout the state and beyond.

Essential Functions

 Program Management and Delivery (40%)

• Design, coordinate, and execute a variety of outdoor programs and activities for the DU Community, including skill development clinics, wilderness trips, team-building programs, and adventure retreats.
• Develop engaging programming for diverse audiences, including families, alumni, and community members, while maximizing revenue-generating opportunities.
• Ensure thorough documentation and safety compliance for all adventure programming, including accident reports and participant evaluations.
• Coordinate logistics with government agencies and other stakeholders to facilitate smooth program delivery.

 People Management and Development (30%)

• Recruit , interview, hire, and lead a team of part-time staff, fostering a culture of excellence and teamwork.
• Ensure all staff have completed required certifications and training prior to working; maintain certification expiration dates and ongoing training.
• Provide day-to-day supervision of outdoor experience staff to ensure high-quality program delivery and customer satisfaction.
• Serve as an on-call resource during overnight activities, supporting staff and ensuring participant safety.

Event Management and Execution (10%)

• Act as onsite programming lead for the First Ascent-New Student Orientation program and other campus events requiring Outdoor Experience staff.
• Manage logistics for Outdoor Experience and KMC events and adventure-based trips, ensuring seamless execution and exceptional customer service.
• Address post-event feedback and implement improvements to enhance future experiences.

 Risk Management and Safety (20%)

• Identify risk issues and areas of improvement and provide viable and logical solutions.
• Conduct regular audits and inspections to identify and mitigate potential risks associated with programming.
• Ensure staff adherence to safety policies and procedures, providing ongoing training, industry certifications, and support as needed.
• Facilitate activity certifications and wilderness medicine training for staff to maintain safety standards.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Excellent oral/written communication skills.
• Ability to work with event scheduling, employee scheduling, and program registration software.
• Ability to plan, direct, and evaluate the work of others.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Strong Work Ethic
• Good Interpersonal Skills
• Proactive
• Flexibility
• Teamwork

 Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in outdoor leadership, kinesiology, sports management, health education, recreation, student affairs, or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Two (2)+ years working as a professional in an adventure industry setting.
• demonstrated competency in creating team-building and bonding programs that utilize games, low elements, and a high ropes course.
• Demonstrated competency in leading various outdoor skill development and field-based adventure programs.
• Wilderness First Responder certification.

Preferred Qualifications

• Four (4)+ years’ experience in adventure programming.
• Management of overnight and extended adventure trips
• Demonstrated competency in developing curriculum for skill development and field-based programs.

Demonstrated ability in two of the following:

• Wilderness Medicine Instructor
• AMGA SPI training or certificate (or higher level of training)
• Leave No Trace Master Educator
• AIARE or Similar Course Lead
• Experience instructing ski, snowboarding, and backcountry touring
• Fly Fishing Instruction and/or guiding experience
• Experience leading multiday rafting and/or kayaking trips
• Experience instructing mountain biking
• Demonstrated competency in developing skill development and field-based programs.

About University of Denver

The University of Denver’s vision is to be a “great private university dedicated to the public good.” Founded in 1864, DU is actively implementing its dynamic strategic plan, DU IMPACT 2025. Among the plan’s most significant goals is a strengthening of the 4Dimensional (4D) Experience for all students, including advancing intellectual growth, pursuing careers and lives of purpose, exploring character, and promoting well-being. At the Daniel L. Ritchie Center for Sports and Wellness, we build Pioneers for Life through excellence, character, and connection. We operate with a championship mindset; and we create and foster a winning culture every day. Inspired by our location in the Rocky Mountain West, we always find a better way forward; we work with optimism, passion, grit, and integrity. We forge lasting relationships one interaction at time; and our value to the University of Denver is the degree to which we offer connection points to a broad and diverse community. That's why were always looking ahead, and not just to the next championship or what's next in sports and wellness. Were also looking at what's next for you and how we can help you build a career you're proud of.

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