As the Risk Services Program Manager, you will improve the quality of risk management systems in outdoor programs by cultivating and managing a diverse portfolio of external client relationships and delivering Risk Services programs. You will design, contract, and oversee risk management training and consulting programs, helping to position NOLS as the leading source and teacher of wilderness risk management practices. You will also oversee the Wilderness Risk Management Conference, working closely with the WRMC Manager to determine vision and ensure operational efficiency.

You will manage operational details to support the delivery of Risk Service courses and consulting projects and drive the development of strategic plans for this program area. You will also manage the Risk Services business systems, sales and marketing, admissions, and day-to-day operations, including the integration of Risk Services business practices with school-wide business practices. You will be a one-stop shop for all things Risk Services, supported by the WRMC Manager and the Custom Education team. 

Key Information:

• Please upload your cover letter and resume as one PDF document when you are prompted to upload your CV/resume.

• Target Start Date: November 3, 2025

• Location: NOLS HQ or Remote

Questions: please contact peopleteam@nols.edu

What does the Risk Services Program Manager do?

• Develop and oversee risk management training curricula (Risk Management Training for Administrators, Wilderness Safety Training, and custom programs) and oversee the learning management system for online Risk Services courses.

• Pursue new opportunities with prospective clients and opportunities for expanding relationships with existing clients, with the goal of improving risk management systems in outdoor programs and positioning NOLS in the industry.

• Support Risk Services programs by providing client orientations for instructors and consultants. Brief and debrief classroom-based courses and consulting projects, including writing staff performance evaluations. 

• Execute marketing efforts for Risk Services that include customer relations, website updates, social media, printed materials, and events.

• Represent NOLS positively and professionally to external audiences, and cultivate strong networks within NOLS, working across NOLS departments to support the NOLS mission.

• Locate and contract venues for open-enrollment Risk Services trainings and work with clients to develop sponsored programs.

• Perform administrative duties by registering students and participants, managing student paperwork and pre-course materials, communicating course details and logistics, and following up with post-student correspondence and materials.

• Make strategic course mix decisions regarding locations and timing of open-enrollment Risk Services trainings.

• This role may include the potential to teach Risk Services courses and conduct risk management reviews and other consulting projects as appropriate, depending on the applicant’s relevant experience. Consulting work includes writing formal, analytical reports. Teaching and consulting work may include up to 13-26 days of teaching or traveling per year.

• Supervise the Wilderness Risk Management Conference (WRMC) Manager and support operational decision-making for the WRMC.

In your first 6 months, you will: 

• Think about and implement the next iteration of the RMT program and continue curriculum and instructor resource updates to better support the online RMT program.

• Restart the Wilderness Safety Training program and create a vision for scaling this program over the next few years.

• Develop a marketing and outreach plan to increase engagement with all Risk Services offerings, including RMTs, Wilderness Safety Trainings, and risk management consulting.

• Evaluate and iterate on the current risk management consulting program, designing and implementing systems to increase and manage leads that result in more consulting projects.

• Support the WRMC Manager and the WRMC operationally. Think creatively about how to adapt the WRMC to the changing needs of the outdoor industry in financially sustainable ways.

What makes a great Risk Services Program Manager at NOLS? 

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

• Experience overseeing outdoor programs and risk management systems, including crisis and emergency response experience.

• NOLS management and field experience or similar, and interest in and knowledge of NOLS risk management systems.

• Ability to assess client needs and offer customized NOLS services to match.

• Ability to balance being a member of a fast-paced, dynamic team while also remaining self-directed, seeking feedback, articulating needs, and maintaining a high degree of ownership and responsibility.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills for a variety of audiences, including current or prospective clients, students, faculty, and staff.

• Project management experience with the ability to manage and organize multiple projects with high attention to detail.

• Understand, or be willing to learn about, sales and marketing, data analysis, customer relationship management, and learning management systems.

• Experience with and aptitude for technical or analytical writing.

How to Apply

It’s super easy! Just enter your email and click the “start your application” button at the top of the screen and upload your cover letter and resume as one PDF document when you are prompted to upload your CV/resume.

At NOLS, we use the Applied platform for our recruitment. The Applied platform will ask you some demographic questions before you start your application. We at NOLS never see the responses to these demographic questions with your application. We only see summary statistics to help us check if our candidate pool is balanced and if everyone has an equal chance to get hired, irrespective of their background. If you prefer, you can easily opt out of answering these questions.

Who is NOLS?

NOLS is a nonprofit global wilderness school that strives to be the leading source and teacher of wilderness skills and leadership that serve people and the environment. Our community—staff, students, trustees, and alumni—shares a commitment to wilderness, education, leadership, safety, community, and excellence. 

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.

Why is NOLS a great place to work?

• Global Reach: With locations across the U.S. operations in six countries, and courses running in all 50 states and more than 10 countries, you’ll be part of an organization with a truly worldwide impact.

• Course Discounts: Receive special pricing on NOLS courses for yourself and your family.

• Comprehensive Benefits: Full-time employees are eligible for a robust benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision coverage.

• Flexible Time Off: We offer a flexible time off policy that empowers employees to take the time they need for rest, adventure, and personal priorities without the constraints of traditional accrual systems.

• Employee Assistance Program: Access confidential, 24/7 counseling and support services to help you maintain balance and well-being.

Additional Information

To support pay transparency and equity, the posted salary range is fixed. We encourage you to explore our opportunities that fit your pay expectations. 

NOLS currently can support remote employees with legal working rights in the following locations: Canada; Chile; India; Mexico; New Zealand; the US, states: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Maine, Minnesota, Montana, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.

• 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 People Team 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.

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.

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 by emailing peopleteam@nols.edu with your request.