Adventure Schools Manager

Reporting to: Director of Learning and Adventure
Location: Northwest Region - Ideally 1 hour from Manchester (Travel required)
Salary: £30,000 - £38,500 per year. Starting salary is dependent on experience.
Contract: Two-year fixed term to start as soon as possible.
Hours: 40 hours per week
Closing date for applications: 18 February 2025

Full job description

We're an educational charity that helps young people defy their limitations, so they become strong, resilient and curious, ready for the challenges of life.

Our new Adventure Schools Programme is a ground-breaking opportunity to reach Young People, who may not have the opportunity to experience one of our outstanding residentials.

It may also be delivered as a pre- or post-course to our existing outdoor residential courses, giving Young People an inspirational taste of adventure without leaving the school gates.

The Job

To lead and deliver the Adventure Schools Programme, ensuring it meets the high-quality outdoor education experiences that align with Outward Bound's values.

You'll supervise the team, collaborate with schools, and potentially work at other Outward Bound centres during the summer. This role requires a balance of energy and enthusiasm to inspire young people and achieve clear programme outcomes.

You'll play a key role in shaping the future of the Adventure Schools Programme, contributing to its design, team recruitment, and overall success.

Who we're looking for

Somone with energy and enthusiasm and who is a results-driven team player with a strong understanding of the education sector.

You must embody our values and are committed to working collaboratively to deliver meaningful and impactful experiences.

A passion for outdoor education with at least one year experience in a management role, or you have led a project or been in a comparable position.

Experience of, or an aptitude to managing financial budgets, alongside being organised and a great communicator.

Your experience

Proven experience in project management, ideally in education or outdoor learning.

Strong facilitation skills, with a background in delivering adventure or leadership programmes.
Effective communicator who can build strong relationships with both internal and external professionals.
Highly organised, paying attention to detail, and maintain high standards of communication.
You can work independently and take initiative.
Confident using Microsoft systems.
Strong presentation skills and are adept at using social media, especially LinkedIn, for client engagement.
School, Youthwork or wider charity experience.

What you'll be doing

Deliver high-quality 1-day, 3-day, and 5-day adventure programmes on school grounds.
Facilitate engaging activities that promote resilience, leadership, and teamwork.
Oversee programme logistics, scheduling, financial budgets and delivery targets.
Support and manage one instructor and part-time administrator to ensure smooth operations.
Monitor and evaluate programme outcomes, preparing reports on impact and financial performance with support from the wider Outward Bound team.
Stakeholder Engagement: Develop strong relationships with schools, ensuring clear communication and understanding of their needs. Liaise with internal and external stakeholders, including Education account managers, donors and community partners as part of the wider team.
Innovation: Incorporate AR/VR experiences into programme delivery to enhance engagement.
Provide feedback to ensure continuous improvement of content and delivery models.
Collaborate and share best practices with Heads of Centres and peers, ensuring the Education team is fully integrated.
Customer visits at school locations and centre visits for wider Outward Bound meetings.

You’ll also need

An enhanced DBS check is essential.

Benefits

Annual Leave of 24 days, plus bank holidays. Annual leave increases by 1 day per year to a maximum of 30 days.

Life Assurance: 3 x salary, covered from start date; includes Employee Assistance Helpline.

8 weeks’ sick pay at full salary in any 12 months.

Long-term Disability Insurance: 2/3 salary less state incapacity benefit after 6 months’ absence for up to 5 years, covered from start date.

Employee assistance programme (Unum): In the form of an app, with easy access to medical and mental health support.

Personal Accident Insurance while at work or commuting.

Health Cash Plan with Medicash

Pension Scheme (currently Standard Life): Auto-enrolment of all staff after 3 months service.

Berghaus uniform items provided and staff discount

Staff bursaries: discounted course fees for family members.

Plus!

Personal Adventures – Outward Bound has a positive attitude to extended/unpaid leave (forward planning is required)

Apply today

If you are interested, please drop an email with an up-to-date CV and covering letter of no more than 500 words to Sarah Shutt, sarah.shutt@outwardbound.org.uk

The closing date is 18 February 2025. Interviews will take place w/c 24 February via teams. Second interviews will take place in person in the Lake District.

Start date: As soon as possible.