Program Innovation and Growth Director

Description

Who We Are

Outward Bound USA (OBUSA) is a national non-profit educational organization in the United States, in operation for more than 60 years. Outward Bound’s mission is to change lives through challenge and discovery. While ambitious and bold, our vision is a more resilient and compassionate world, with more endurance in response to change and more courage in the face of challenge.

Outward Bound programs provide increased access for today’s youth to develop social emotional skills and build their capacity to navigate the future with confidence, compassion, and curiosity. Programs are far-reaching – inside city and suburban classrooms and outside in rugged backcountry settings – lasting anywhere from one-day to an entire semester. Outward Bound staff are positive, fun, passionate, mission-driven change makers who uphold a high standard of quality and commitment to our students.

We strive to provide educational experiences that are inclusive and relevant for all participants and are committed to organizational improvement in support of an equitable and just society. Learn more about us.

Position Impact

Outward Bound USA aims to support, amplify, and grow the capacity of our regional schools, where students are prepared with 21st-century skills to be ready for work, life, and civic leadership in an evolving world. Our work is guided by an unwavering commitment to our students, equity, adventure, and safety.

Guided by a strategic Vision for Impact 2030 between 2023 and 2030, OBUSA supports this work through targeted initiatives designed to: create new and expanded capacity in regional schools by positioning OB as an educational partner to parents, schools, and corporations; accelerate access to the outdoors for underrepresented communities; provide a leading-edge research and development engine that will continuously improve program outcomes; and cultivate a workplace that attracts, develops, and retains the best outdoor educators and administrative professionals in the US.

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, the Program Innovation and Growth Director is responsible for successfully executing OBUSA’s Advancing Equity in the Outdoors (AEO) initiative. This initiative is being launched to expand and accelerate access to outdoor experiential learning opportunities for underrepresented youth.

This position will promote accountability, execution transparency, and a strong focus on results to drive the successful realization of a portfolio of customer growth initiatives. Lead a cross-functional team over which it does not have direct administrative authority.

The Program Innovation And Growth Director Will Drive National And Regional New Product Alignment And Growth Across The Outward Bound USA Network, And Build a Go-to-market Strategy For Community Based Group Programs To Achieve The Following Goals Over 5 Years

• A 170% increase in Outward Bound students served nationally.
• Annually increasing partnership revenue earned and fundraised, resulting in 10% year-over-year growth by 2029.
• Annually increasing number of community partners engaged in OB programs, resulting in 10% year-over-year growth by 2029.
  
  

Our Culture

As a leading non-profit educational organization, Outward Bound is designed to embrace challenge. We engage in organization-wide continuous improvement and cultivate a workplace that attracts top talent—like you. This role becomes part of a collaborative organization that is rich with talent, connection and teamwork contributing to the expansion of our mission nationwide. Thriving here takes compassion, a learning mindset, and a deep desire to do meaningful work to achieve our goals. At Outward Bound, we are crew, not passengers. Everyone is on the crew, and we all contribute. We share success and view challenges as opportunities. From the office to the wilderness, we grow together. You belong here.

Essential Functions And Responsibilities

Lead Product Development & Grow Successful Program Model from Local to National Scale

• Evaluate Outward Bound’s local products for school and community-based programs to identify best practices and models ready to scale.
• Identify best practices and program components to scale.
• Gain an understanding of the competitive landscape, market trends, and voice of the customer, and use these insights to develop product features.
• Conduct market research and competitor analysis to identify gaps, listen to existing customers' pain points, and identify unmet needs.
• Develop and launch the national product at four new locations over five years.
  
  

Develop & Execute Staged Implementation Strategies

• Lead a team of Outward Bound staff experts in sales, marketing and development to craft:
• Go-to-market (GTM) Strategy for a new product for schools and youth-serving nonprofits.
• Coordinate marketing and advertising spend.
• Growth Strategy for sales and fundraised revenue, specifically collateral needed by regional teams.
• Community Outreach Strategy.
• Support regional Outward Bound teams with implementation and coordination.
• Monitor implementation, troubleshoot, and quickly identify problems and solve them.
  
  

Administer Grant Funding Associated with OB’s AEO Initiative

• Ensure alignment with grant and organizational priorities.
• Manage grant-related budgets, fund disbursements, and grant reporting.
• Propose annual grant-making plans for participating Outward Bound Schools to the OBUSA Leadership Team.
• Closely partner with OBUSA finance and accounting teams to ensure transparent reporting and efficient grant administration.
  
  

Monitor and Improve Efforts to Expand Access to Outward Bound

• Develop KPI’s to monitor ROI and course correct, as necessary.
• Monitor customer satisfaction and identify strategies to improve retention.
• Collaborate with schools to ensure OBUSA provides the right level of support and successfully implements new program models.
• Develop reports for leadership, board, and funders to share the initiative's impact.
  
  

Requirements

Competencies

• Business and Funding Development: You can identify and pursue new business opportunities, build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, create mutually beneficial agreements, and monitor market trends and competitor activity to drive strategic growth and success.
• Project Management: You can manage multiple workstreams associated with a program, analyze program evaluation data and iterate accordingly. You can conceptualize and build programs. Work to improve existing programs and build new ones that support the strategic vision of the organization
• Strategic Thinking: You can anticipate future trends and challenges, develop innovative solutions to complex problems, set clear and achievable long-term goals, align resources and priorities to support organizational strategy, evaluate risks and opportunities, and translate vision into actionable plans that drive sustainable growth and success.
• Entrepreneurial Mindset: You scan the internal and external environment for trends, gaps, and emerging opportunities. You approach challenges with a creative mindset, seeking novel solutions. You are willing to take calculated risks to pursue new ideas or ventures. You adapt quickly to changes in organizational priorities and can take new ideas from concept to reality.
• Self-Management: You can set and follow through on goals independently, anticipate roadblocks, and support others in managing their commitments.
• Communication: You are skilled in developing messaging that connects with a wide range of stakeholders, from community members to decision-makers, fostering engagement and long-term relationships.
• Cultural Competency: You can recognize and appreciate cultural differences and commonalities and shift cultural perspectives and behavior in culturally appropriate and authentic ways.
  
  

Education and Work Experience

• 7 years’ experience in non-profit national partnerships, business development, revenue generation (sales/fundraising), or a related field is essential.
• Experience scaling a concept into a successful product, effectively reaching broader audiences while maintaining quality and alignment with organizational goals.
• Market Expertise: 3-5 years’ demonstrated experience working within and understanding the needs of underserved communities, particularly as it relates to identifying growth opportunities and building trust.
• Barrier Anticipation: 3-5 years’ proven ability to anticipate and address barriers that may prevent access or engagement, with a focus on creating inclusive strategies that resonate with diverse audiences.
• Strategic Marketing and Outreach: 5 plus years expertise in structuring and executing effective marketing, outreach, and messaging strategies tailored to priority audiences, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and values.
• Data-Driven Decision Making: 3-5 years’ experience leveraging data and feedback to refine outreach approaches, measure effectiveness, and drive continuous improvement in engagement efforts.
• Mission-Driven Leadership: 3 years’ demonstrated experience working within foundations, non-profit organizations, or youth service programs, with a focus on advancing community impact, equity, and inclusion.
• Program and Partnership Development: 3 years’ proven success in designing, implementing, and scaling initiatives in collaboration with community stakeholders, funders, and partner organizations to meet the needs of youth populations.
• A bachelor’s degree or higher in business development, marketing, or a related field is preferred.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite: Excel, Word, Teams and CRM (Salesforce Preferred).
  
  

Location and Physical Requirements

• Permanent work authorization in the United States is required to apply for this position. We welcome applicants from anywhere in the contiguous United States.
• Up to 10% of work time may be spent travelling.
• Ability to work at a desk and on a computer for most of the day. Repetitive motions, such as typing on a keyboard, may be part of the daily tasks.
• While the role is generally not physically demanding, the ability to lift and carry light objects may be required occasionally. Strong visual acuity is essential for reading and analyzing data on a computer screen. Ability to work at a desk and on a computer for most of the day. Some repetitive motions, such as typing on a keyboard, may be part of the daily tasks.
  
  

Compensation & Benefits

• We are committed to transparency in our hiring process. The full salary range for this position is $110,000 - $130,000 annually. The starting salary will fall within the hiring range of $110,000 - $120,000, based on the skills and experience of the selected candidate.
• This is a full-time, remote, exempt position.
• OBUSA offers competitive benefits package, including health/dental/vision insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, and life insurance, plus a 403(b)-retirement plan with an employer match.
• OBUSA offers PTO, a combined sick and vacation bucket which accrues to total 15 days a year, with an additional day a year added for each year of service. We offer ten federal holidays and paid time off for the last week of the year.
  
  

To Apply

• Apply with a cover letter and resume. Cover letter can be addressed to: Ginger Naylor, Chief Executive Officer
• Application deadline is January 13, 2025
  
  

Please reach out to vkerr@outwardbound.org if there is any accommodation you might need when applying or if asked to be interviewed.

Outward Bound USA (OBUSA) is an equal opportunity employer and values the inclusion and collaboration among employees of diverse backgrounds and experiences. OBUSA prohibits discrimination against, and harassment of, any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, gender, pregnancy, genetic information, ethnic or national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, familial status, military or veteran status, qualified individuals with a disability on the basis of the disability, or any other category which may be protected under applicable state or federal law.

Outward Bound USA also promotes respect for all people and will not tolerate harassment based on any of these characteristics nor on differences based on gender identity or expression. As we strive to reflect the communities we serve; people of color are strongly encouraged to apply. Read our equity statement.