Who we are:
Southbound Adventures is a small, family-owned Outdoor Education company with over 30 years of experience delivering exceptional Outdoor Education experiences to school students from Kindergarten through to Year 12, with our core focusing being Years 7 to 10. We specialise in Bronze, Silver, and Gold Duke of Edinburgh Adventurous Journeys, particularly Gold expeditions on the Overland Track in Tasmania!
Based by the beach in the Illawarra, we operate across a diverse range of areas, including over 25 National Parks and 34 venues. This diversity is one of the many reasons our clients love working with us, and our team enjoys the variety of working in different locations.
At Southbound Adventures, we believe that quality in everything we do is incredibly important. This starts with the team we work with, then extends to the high-quality equipment we provide and the support we offer to our team. If you’re interested in working with an organisation committed to providing exceptional Outdoor Education experiences, that values being a flexible, fun, and rewarding employer, then we want to hear from you!
Position Description: Program Director
Southbound Adventures is seeking an experienced outdoor professional to join our team of Program Directors. The Program Director is responsible for providing leadership to our team in the field while delivering Outdoor Education experiences that meet the expectations of Southbound Adventures and our clients. If you can see yourself working in the outdoors, leading a team of passionate educators, and delivering high quality Outdoor Education experiences, then this position is speaking to you!
The Program Director will need to collaborate closely with the Operations Manager and Human Resources Manager to ensure all aspects of the program, including logistics, catering, bookings, staffing and client needs are understood and confirmed. This is a mentoring role, with a key focus on developing our field team for a successful career at Southbound Adventures. Similarly, the successful candidate will also receive mentorship from Senior Managers as required, therefore applications are encouraged from candidates with industry experience that are looking to extend their skills in the Outdoor Education industry.
This role is split between our office near Wollongong, and field based work, with an expected 120 field days in Program Director and Assistant Director roles on programs which are generally 5 days in duration, but can extend to 9 days during our Tasmanian Overland Track Journeys.
In this role you would:
- Prepare and deliver Outdoor Education programs
- Work in other leadership roles such as Assistant Program Director and Duke of Edinburgh Team Leader
- Effectively facilitate and deliver Outdoor Education Programs for students aged between 5 and 18 including pre-program preparation, on program logistics and post program follow up with clients
- Build rapport quickly with clients and students
- Adapt to changing client needs & environmental conditions
- Manage risk in an Outdoor Environment
- Assist with school presentations to students, staff and parents
- Assist with team field inductions
- Assist with the delivery of educational outcomes
- Assist in management of gear store and office complex
- Assist in general office administration and organisation
- Assist management staff in preparing for outdoor programs
Applicants must hold or be willing to obtain:
- Wilderness First Aid (or equivalent)
- Certificate IV in Outdoor Recreation (or equivalent)
- Minimum 3 years experience in the Outdoor Education Industry or equivalent relevant experience
- As part of our commitment to child safety applicants require a Paid NSW WWCC and National Police check
- Current driver’s license or the ability to obtain one
