Director of Programs

Muddy Sneakers operates at the crossroads of outdoor science instruction, public education, and conservation to awaken in children a deeply felt connection to the natural world – one that inspires curiosity, stimulates learning, and brings new life to classroom performance. We envision a world where every child has the opportunity to form a connection to nature and benefit from the wellness it provides. We are committed to becoming a national model for closing the science literacy gap, ensuring diversity thrives in the outdoors, and instilling an understanding of one’s role in the greater ecosystem. In doing so, we cultivate healthier generations committed to the stewardship of our natural resources.

The role of the Director of Programs is to oversee all elements of Muddy Sneakers programs including strategic oversight, budget management, program growth, operations and evaluations, education and community partnerships and the direct supervision of a multi-region management team. Additionally, this role works closely with Muddy Sneakers’ Directors to implement organization-wide strategies. The ideal candidate should be able to remain flexible and adaptable in all areas including programmatic approaches and budgeting.

ESSENTIAL ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIESPrograms Strategy:

• Initiate and set goals for programs according to the strategic objectives of the organization
• Develop and implement a multi-year plan alongside managers
• Guide a programmatic growth strategy across the organization
• Design and implement innovative partnership and fee options based on community needs
• Develop and maintain strategic and multi-regional partnerships including educational institutions, land managers, state agencies and other Muddy Sneakers stakeholders

Program Oversight:

• Develop and maintain effective programming management systems
• Ensure quality, integrity and consistency throughout all program areas
• Guide program evaluation and analytics and functions and apply findings
• Continue to grow and develop fee-for-service programs
• Recruit and renew school and community partners
• Employ critical and creative thinking to maintain an edge above competitors including variable program options, fee structures, and sales funnels

Management & Supervision:

• Supervise a multi-regional team of program managers and programming staff
• Lead the recruitment, hiring and onboarding of any new program management level staff
• Assist with programming staff, interns and apprentice hiring, recruitment and training strategies

Finances & Budgeting:

• Manage a program budget projected to be over 1.2 million dollars
• Ongoing expense tracking and reporting to ensure proper budget management

Communications & Marketing:

• Assist Communications Director in program marketing, storytelling and communications strategies
• Manage ongoing communications with education and community partners
• Contribute to ongoing communication efforts such as newsletters and social media

Development:

• Assist Development Director with periodic grant writing and budget development
• Support regional fundraising efforts, including community outreach, planning and more.

Administration:

• Participate and lead team meetings
• Present at staff, donor, and partnership meetings as well as periodically to the Board of Directors
• Recruit, onboard and manage advisory council committees
• Interdepartmental collaboration to meet organizational strategies
• Review and implement organizational policies and procedures

Other Duties:

• Uphold Muddy Sneakers’ core values, mission and dedication to providing quality programming, ensuring financial stability and maintaining a healthy and progressive workplace environment
• Collaborate with Leadership team and direct reports to prioritize the work of advancing DEI throughout programmatic efforts
• Maintain practices supporting a strong and inclusive professional ecosystem and a culture of mutual support and continued growth

QUALIFICATIONS

Management:

• Ability to lead and oversee systems for the implementation of curriculum and experiences
• Understanding of management within a non-profit organization
• Ability to manage and provide accountability to programming admin staff
• Ability to create and improve systems and processes
• Comfort in making high-level decisions and bringing visionary leadership

Financial:

• Ability to develop and manage a large budget
• Opportunistic in pursuit of sustainable growth in furtherance of serving more children as well as more deeply investing in the children we already serve
• Proactive and aggressive budget management to remain within parameters and avoid excess spending across all categories whenever possible

Sales:

• Experience in program sales, retention, and client prospecting; other sales experience may be substituted

Partnerships and Relationship Management:

• Ability to build and sustain regional relationships across education, business, conservation, land management, advocacy, research and political spheres

Education and Evaluation:

• Ability to oversee program evaluation, data analysis, and related strategy
• Experience with learning philosophies, curriculum and/or experience design
• A demonstrated commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and experience operationalizing DEI in programmatic and organizational settings

Professional Skills:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to think holistically
• Excellent interpersonal and collaboration skills
• Excellent facilitation skills, working with a variety of audiences including children, adults, educators, community members, and funders
• Astute attention to detail and strong organizational skills
• Substantial experience with Google Workspace, Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), digital meeting spaces (Zoom, Google Meet), survey tools, design platforms (Canva) and project management platforms (Monday, Asana)

Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree
• Advanced experience in a related field totaling 8+ years
• At least 5 years of management experience including staff supervision, budget management, and strategy
• Experience and comfort serving as an organizational representative
• Evidence of continued pursuit of professional growth
• Some experience in fundraising and/or grant writing preferred

Physical Demands, Work Environment, and Working Conditions:

• Work Environment: This hybrid position, based in Brevard, NC, can be located anywhere within the state of North Carolina. Office space will be made available at one or more of the respective office locations across regions. Some routine, in-person collaboration should be expected necessitating travel across multiple regions. This position must be able to work independently, at times remotely with access to high-speed internet and without regular support from team members.
• Some evening and weekend work is required.
• Physical Demands: Requires daily prolonged computer use. Ability to coordinate and accompany guests on expeditions, including personal travel across uneven and largely unpaved surfaces.
• Working Conditions: Predominantly indoor and some outdoor conditions.
• A valid driver’s license for some statewide travel is required. Muddy Sneakers’ vehicles can be used for work-related travel, but individuals must be able to get to one of our regional offices to access these vehicles.

BENEFITS & COMPENSATION

• Full-time position (35+ hours/week) with a salary range of $60,000 – $70,000 per year
• 10% taxable healthcare stipend, based on the employee’s base annual salary up to $400 per month
• 3% Simple IRA match
• Competitive PTO schedule with days awarded, not accrued
• 12 additional paid office holidays as well as closure the last week in December
• Respect for work-life harmony, including consideration of flexible schedules and remote work
• Pro deals, which include deep discounts on outdoor gear providing 30 – 50% off retail prices with established brands
• Opportunity to build a legacy through strengthening public education and connecting children to nature