Director; Outdoor Education Leader), Bradford Woods, Bradford Woods Outdoor Education Center

Overview

BRADFORD WOODS (BA-BRAD-IUBLA). The Director of Bradford Woods leads Indiana University's Outdoor Education Center, guiding its mission, vision, and core values while overseeing daily operations and long-term strategy. With onsite housing available, this role offers a unique opportunity to immerse in the Bradford Woods experience while managing the property, directing key departments including programming, fundraising, and maintenance, and ensuring a safe, inclusive, and transformative experience for all participants under the "Outdoors for All" mission.

The Director oversees an annual operating budget of approximately $2.5 million, 20 plus full-time staff, and a 2,500-acre campus with 50 plus buildings, a lake, and trails. The position ensures the safety of clientele.

Department-Specific Responsibilities

• Ensures a safe and secure environment for guests and staff.
• Oversees operations of all departments, including programming, development, maintenance, food services, housekeeping, and administrative services.
• Monitors and enforces compliance with university policies and legal requirements.
• Supervises staff recruitment, training, and development.
• Collaborates with the Fiscal Officer to manage budgets and financial planning.
• Drives process improvements for operational efficiency and effectiveness.
• Develops annual and long-term strategic plans in collaboration with Auxiliary Business Services.
• Manages a board of directors to establish long-term initiatives.
• Establishes mission, vision, and values while setting organizational and departmental goals.
• Creates and implements fundraising strategies and grant proposals.
• Optimizes property utilization and programming to align with organizational goals.
• Cultivates relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including university departments, Riley Children's Foundation, and various organizations.
• Represents Bradford Woods in public relations and community engagement efforts.
• Manages capital projects and long-term property investments.
• Leads efforts to secure external funding and partnerships.
• Conducts regular assessments to track performance metrics and outcomes.

General Responsibilities

• Provides highest level of operational leadership and coordination of assigned staff members to define outdoor education methodologies and standards; provides direction and guidance on high priority outdoor education projects/initiatives.
• Establishes short-term business plans and long-term operational objectives, including managing project timelines/deliverables and developing resource plans for multi-project/multi-phase outdoor education initiatives.
• Conducts a variety of personnel actions to include, but not limited to hiring, promotion, performance management, and dismissal.
• Manages high level assignments and allocation of outdoor education resources, including negotiating and coordinating initiatives that involve staff in other departments/areas/teams; may coordinate large-scale outdoor education projects with wide audiences in support of academic initiatives.
• Makes budgetary recommendations/proposals based on resource needs and ensures cost containment.
• Researches and stays up-to-date on new industry outdoor education standards, activities, team-building methods, and technologies; responsible for the implementation of new protocols/procedures to address business needs.
• Works collaboratively with other leaders across departments in recommending standards, best practices, and related policies/procedures.
• Prepares management reports and summaries for senior administration, executive, steering and advisory committees; acts as advisor to executive committees; serves on various university committees, communities of practice, and task forces related to outdoor education.

Education

• Bachelor's degree in related field (preferably in Outdoor Recreation, Recreational Therapy, Environmental Education, Public/Nonprofit/Community Recreation, Nonprofit Management, or Business Management)
• Preferred:
  Master’s degree in Nonprofit Management, Business (MBA), Outdoor Recreation, Recreational Therapy, Environmental Education, or related fields

Work Experience

• Required:
  
  4 years in related field
• Required:
  
  1 year of management experience in a related field
• Preferred: 4 years of leadership experience in a nonprofit or public-facing organization, including strategic planning, operations management, fundraising, program development, and staff leadership
• Preferred: 7 years of leadership experience with expertise in outdoor recreation, recreation therapy program management, and research or grant funding
• Proven experience in overseeing complex operations and managing multiple departments
• Knowledge of Indiana University systems, policies, and procedures

Skills

• Required:
  
  Proficient communication skills
• Required:
  
  Maintains a high degree of professionalism
• Required:
  
  Demonstrates time management and priority setting skills
• Required:
  
  Demonstrates a high commitment to quality
• Required:
  
  Excellent…