The NOLS Wilderness Medicine Business Operations Director (BOD) is responsible for developing, managing, and facilitating all course-related operations of NOLS Wilderness Medicine: over 900 courses, 22,000 students and 83,000 student days average per year. The BOD supervises the teams responsible for external business partnerships, material course support (gear & equipment), and finance. The BOD is the chief contract negotiator for most Wilderness Medicine courses and collaborates to develop Master Services agreements for NOLS' more prominent vendors. The BOD is a signer for legal contracts and is responsible for NOLS compliance.

Key Logistical Information:

• Contract type: Full time.

• Start date: Two weeks after hire.

• Benefits: This position is eligible for Health Insurance, Dental Insurance, Vision Insurance, Flexible Spending account, Life Insurance, Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance, Long Term Disability, Employee Assistance Program, Paid Time off, 403(b), 403(b) contribution, and more.

• Questions: Please contact peopleteam@nols.edu

What does a Business Operations Director do?

The BOD will operate with a high level of strategic planning responsibility and consistently seek out innovation and efficiencies within current business systems and will play an essential role in Wilderness Medicine's ongoing development of new business systems. The BOD represents departmental viewpoints and strategic priorities on school-wide work groups and committees. 

The BOD directly supervises approximately $7.4 million in revenue and expense accounts. The BOD leads gear and material operations, involving $1 million of gear inventory in over 100 gear sets that are located worldwide.

You will be responsible for the following activities:

• Negotiate purchasing contracts for NOLS that capitalize on our purchasing power to achieve the maximum discount levels.

• Develop and maintain relationships with over 300 active NOLS Wilderness Medicine Sponsors, including colleges, universities, governmental agencies, etc. 

• Generate and oversee communication of sponsor and course-related policies.

• Build and implement the Wilderness Medicine annual course mix.

• Collaborate on school-wide workgroups and committees working on NOLS strategic goals.

What makes a great Business Operations Director at NOLS? 

The BOD must have exceptional communication, organizational, managerial, supervisory, and facilitation skills. This position requires the candidate to learn intimately about the NOLS Wilderness Medicine mission, business goals, brand, and operations. The BOD must be a versatile manager capable of quickly moving from one unrelated topic to another.

We are looking for people who share our values and are keen to learn and develop their expertise. We are looking for candidates with the skills listed below. We expect to provide training and development support in some of the areas.

• Exceptional communication, organizational, managerial, supervisory, and facilitation skills.

• Experience in business operations.

• Experience in financial and budgetary management.

• Supervisory experience.

• Inbound and outbound customer service experience is preferred.

• Fluency with technology.

• Ability to think both creatively and critically.

• Ability to think systematically while carefully managing a large amount of detail.

• Experience balancing numerous competing priorities.

• Initiative, judgment, and excellent decision-making abilities.

• Experience negotiating financial and legal contracts.

Who are we and what can we offer you?

NOLS is a nonprofit global wilderness school that seeks to help people step forward boldly as a leader.

We believe that anyone can be a leader; it is our role to provide the environment and training to help people discover their full potential. We do that in classrooms close to home and in remote wilderness areas around the world. We are an organization with heart, expertise, and wildness, and these qualities help us support powerful, authentic experiences.

NOLS really is a great place to work:

• We have locations in seven U.S. states, and six countries; and courses in all 50 U.S. states and over 10 countries.

• We have fantastic employee discounts on top outdoor gear brands

• We offer discounts on NOLS Courses for you and your family

• All employees can benefit of free Outdoor Equipment "Rental" at our various locations

• Insurance Coverage: Medical, dental, and vision benefits are available at a special NOLS rate to seasonal employees. Full-time employees are eligible for benefits package. 

• Wellness Time: Accrued leave that may be used for many HR-approved reasons throughout the season.

• Employee Assistance Program: Access to counselors that are available 24/7 to assist employees with work-life balance concerns.

Additional Information

NOLS can currently employ remote employees who have legal working rights in the United States, Canada, Chile, Mexico, New Zealand, and India. In the U.S. and Canada, we can support remote employees in the following states/provinces: Alaska, Arizona, British Columbia, California, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Minnesota, Montana, New Mexico, New York, Ontario, Utah, Washington, or Wyoming.

Pre-Employment Check

• A criminal background check is required from all NOLS employees.

• NOLS participates in E-verify for U.S. employees, Certificado de Antecedentes for Chilean or Mexican employees, and other relevant employment verification systems based on location.

• Current NOLS employees please note it is NOLS policy to conduct an internal reference check with human resources and/or your current supervisor as part of the reference check process. If you have any questions or concerns about this process please contact peopleteam@nols.edu.

Equal Employment Opportunity

NOLS does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, genetics information, disability unrelated to job or admission requirements, or status as a protected veteran. The school’s nondiscrimination policy applies to all phases of its employment process, its admission and financial aid programs, and to all other aspects of its educational programs and activities. Retaliation directed to any person who pursues a discrimination complaint or grievance, participates in a discrimination investigation, or otherwise opposes unlawful discrimination is prohibited.

Reasonable Accommodation

NOLS values community and fosters a sense of belonging for our employees and applicants. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations in the workplace because they embody these values, as well as our operating principle of promoting a positive, safe, and learning environment. Reasonable accommodations may be requested for disability; limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or a related medical condition; religion; and domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, or harassment. Reasonable accommodations may be requested at any point of the employment process, including during recruitment. Please email peopleteam@nols.edu with your request.