Job Description
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 fully 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.
Combinations of related education and experience may be considered. Education beyond the minimum required may be substituted for work experience. Work experience beyond the minimum required may be substituted for education. EDUCATION
Required - 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
Required WORK EXPERIENCE
- 4 years in related field
- 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
- 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
- Maintains a high degree of professionalism
- Demonstrates time management and priority setting skills
- Demonstrates a high commitment to quality
- Excellent organizational skills
- Excellent collaboration and team building skills
- Effectively coaches and delivers constructive feedback
- Instills commitment to organizational goals
- Demonstrates excellent judgment and decision making skills
- Effective conflict management skills
- Builds and manages effective teams
Preferred - Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage and motivate diverse teams
- Advanced financial and strategic planning skills, including budget development and fundraising
- Knowledge of risk management, safety protocols, and compliance with university and legal standards
- Experience in managing complex facilities, property stewardship, and long-term planning for large-scale operations
- Ability to cultivate and manage long-term relationships with donors, customers, and university contacts
- Experience in outdoor education, therapeutic recreation, environmental education, and event management
- Strong background in research and grant administration, with a proven record of accomplishment in securing funding
- Familiarity with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards and ensuring inclusive programs
This role requires the ability to effectively communicate and to operate a computer and other standard office productivity equipment. The position involves sedentary work as well as periods of time moving around an office environment and the campus. This position involves outdoor and office work with varied terrain. The person in this role must be able to perform the essential functions with or without an accommodation.
Bradford Woods
Martinsville, Indiana
Travel may also be required for stakeholder meetings and professional engagements.
$95,000.00-$107,000.00 based upon with education and experience.
For full-time staff employees, Indiana University offers a wide array of benefits including:
- Comprehensive medical and dental insurance
- Health savings account with generous IU contributions
- Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
- Basic group life insurance paid by IU
- Voluntary supplemental life, long-term disability, critical illness, and supplemental accidental death & dismemberment insurance
- Base retirement plan with generous IU contributions, subject to vesting
- Voluntary supplemental retirement plan options
- Tuition subsidy for employees and family members taking IU courses
- 10 paid holidays plus a paid winter break each year
- Generous paid time off plans
- Paid leave for new parents and IU-sponsored volunteer events
- Employee assistance program (EAP)
Learn more about our benefits by reviewing the IU Benefit Programs Brochure.
Career Level: Sr. Operational
FLSA: Exempt
Job Function: Educational Resources & Tech
Job Family: Outdoor Education
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This posting is scheduled to close at 11:59 pm EST on the advertised Close Date. This posting may be closed at any time at the discretion of the University, but will remain open for a minimum of 5 business days. To guarantee full consideration, please submit your application within 5 business days of the Posted Date.
If you wish to include a cover letter, you may include it with your resume when uploading attachments.
Indiana University is an equal opportunity employer and provider of ADA services and prohibits discrimination in hiring. See Indiana University Notice of Non-Discrimination here which includes contact information.
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Telephone: 812-856-1234
Job Tags
Full time, Temporary work, Work experience placement, Work at office, Flexible hours