Programs Manager - Outdoor Education

The Outdoor Education Programs Manager is responsible for the successful planning, coordination and delivery of YouthAdvance's outdoor education programs. This is a hands-on leadership role combining program management, staff leadership, logistics, participant experience, safety and operational planning. You will oversee the end-to-end delivery of programs, ensuring every journey is well planned, appropriately staffed, safely delivered and provides an outstanding experience for participants. The role will work closely with the YouthAdvance Award Team, Guide Team, parents, schools, contractors and external stakeholders to ensure programs run smoothly and consistently.

Key responsibilities

• Manage the end-to-end planning and delivery of YouthAdvance outdoor education programs, including Adventurous Journeys, Urban Journeys, Virtual Journeys, and Gold Pinnacle programs
• Develop and maintain annual and seasonal program schedules and allocate appropriate guides and staff based on qualifications, experience, group size and program requirements
• Lead and support the YouthAdvance Outdoor Education Guide Team, including staff rosters, onboarding, induction and ongoing training
• Maintain a strong safety culture across all programs, coordinate risk assessments and safety plans, and ensure appropriate emergency and contingency procedures are in place
• Monitor guide performance and provide feedback, coaching and support to ensure guides understand and follow YouthAdvance policies, procedures and operational standards
• Ensure participants receive a safe, supportive, challenging and enjoyable outdoor education experience and respond to participant, parent and school concerns
• Manage operational logistics including transport arrangements, campsites, accommodation, equipment and suppliers, and maintain program equipment inventories
• Maintain accurate program information within YouthAdvance systems and develop Standard Operating Procedures for outdoor education programs
• Manage program budgets, monitor program costs and identify opportunities to improve program profitability without compromising safety or participant experience

About you

• Experience working in outdoor education, adventure education, youth programs, recreation or a related field
• Demonstrated experience coordinating outdoor programs or similar operational activities
• Experience supervising, managing or coordinating staff and/or contractors
• Strong understanding of outdoor education safety and risk management
• Excellent organisational and logistical skills
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Relevant outdoor education qualifications and/or significant industry experience
• Current Working with Children Check
• Highly Favourable Cert 3 or in Outdoor Leadership & Cert 3 in Training & Assessment

About us

• YouthAdvance is an Open Duke of Ed Centre supporting young people across Australia to participate in and complete their Duke of Ed Award. We deliver high-quality outdoor education experiences including Adventurous Journeys, Urban Adventurous Journeys, Virtual Adventurous Journeys, Gold Pinnacle Journeys and other outdoor education programs.
• Our purpose is simple: Empower young people to become confident, capable and #WorldReady.
• A leadership role within a dynamic growing organisation
• The opportunity to make a genuine difference in the lives of young people
• A varied role combining office-based program management with outdoor education
• A supportive and passionate team
• The opportunity to shape and improve YouthAdvance's outdoor education programs
• Professional development and training opportunities
• The opportunity to work across a range of outdoor environments throughout NSW and Australia

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