What are the responsibilities and job description for the Program Operations Director position at Chastain Horse Park?
Job Title: Program Operations Director at Chastain Horse Park
Reports To: Executive Director
About Chastain Horse Park (CHP)
For the past 20 years, Chastain Horse Park’s mission has been to empower individuals of all abilities through life-changing relationships with horses. Our vision is to become the model recognized by professional equestrian organizations throughout the U.S. for bringing individuals of all abilities together as a single inclusive community. We are the only Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH Intl.) Premier Accredited center in metro Atlanta and the largest PATH Intl. center in the southeastern United States. Each year our nationally recognized Therapeutic Program serves children, teens, and adults with physical, cognitive, and emotional disabilities with the support of a herd of very special horses. We also offer a competitive Boarder Program and thriving School Program that serves riders throughout the greater Atlanta area.
Why Join Us?
Chastain Horse Park is dedicated to making a positive impact in our community through equestrian programs that empower individuals of all abilities. As the Operations Director, you will play a crucial role in shaping the future of our organization and enhancing the lives of our participants. We have just completed a $10 million building project including a new therapeutic riding center, new boarder barn, 2 new covered arenas, new equipment barn and more. It’s a very exciting time at CHP! If you are passionate about equestrian operations and have the leadership skills to drive success, we invite you to apply and be part of our mission.
Position Summary
CHP is a 501c3 nonprofit and we are seeking a dynamic and experienced Operations Director to lead all programming including our PATH premiere accredited therapeutic program, volunteer services program, school lesson program, and boarder program. This newly created position is critical to supporting our strategic plan and achieving our impact and financial goals.
The ideal candidate will possess extensive equestrian operations experience (hunter-jumper discipline preferred), experience in therapeutic horsemanship programming, nonprofit leadership experience and a solid understanding of key operating metrics and financials. Compensation based upon qualifications and experience.
Key Responsibilities
• Oversee the planning and operational execution of the therapeutic program, volunteer services, school lesson program, and boarder program.
• Prioritize and organize programs and activities in accordance with the mission and strategic plan of the organization through supervision of direct report employees.
• Manage effective and efficient operations in diverse equestrian environments (therapeutic and non-therapeutic) while bringing CHP together as one team, one community.
• Foster a positive and inclusive culture among staff, volunteers, and participants, promoting teamwork and collaboration.
• Participate in and at times lead decision-making teams regarding improvements to the programs and communication systems relevant to fulfilling the mission. • Ensure the therapeutic program meets or exceeds the standards set by PATH and pursue certification as necessary.
• Provide mentorship to staff and volunteers in support of their roles. Lead collaboratively with staff to develop new programs providing direction for the organization based on the strategic plan. Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performance team, providing guidance and support to ensure operational excellence.
• Participate in and actively support strategic planning initiatives currently underway.
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders, including participants, families, volunteers, donors and community partners.
• Evaluate program impact and effectiveness, to drive improvements and enhance participant experiences.
• Support the recruitment and management of the team of professionals and other direct service providers to ensure goals are attained in participant growth, satisfaction, safety, and quality.
• Hire, evaluate, support, and provide regular feedback to direct report employees to include a written annual performance review and other performance documentation as appropriate.
• Develop and implement policies and procedures to ensure program effectiveness and compliance with safety standards while achieving goals of client and volunteer retention, employee retention and impact results.
• Monitor and analyze financial performance, ensuring alignment with budgetary goals and financial sustainability.
• Collaborate with the Executive Director to set and achieve organizational goals
and objectives.
• Stay current with industry trends and best practices in equestrian operations and therapeutic horsemanship.
Required Qualifications
• Extensive equestrian experience required including a minimum of 5 years of leadership experience in equestrian operations, hunter-jumper experience preferred. • PATH certification at the CTRI or Master level.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in therapeutic horsemanship programming; knowledge of therapeutic horsemanship principles and practices.
• Proven leadership experience with a track record of managing teams and driving operational success in a diverse environment.
• Strong financial acumen with the ability to analyze budgets and key operating metrics. • Excellent communication and listening skills, with the ability to engage diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated commitment to safety standards and participant enjoyment in equestrian settings.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to make decisions in a fast-paced environment.
• Basic technical competency in including MSWord, Excel and Google docs.
Application Process:
Interested candidates should submit a resume and cover letter detailing their relevant experience and vision for the role to careers@chastainhorsepark.org. We look forward to hearing from you!
Chastain Horse Park is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.