Senior Program Manager- Field Institute

About the Role

The Grand Canyon Conservancy Field Institute (GCCFI) Senior Program Manager leads the development and management of GCC’s Field Institute visitor programs, including program and curriculum development, staff supervision, budget oversight, risk management, and program logistics. This role operates in close partnership with Grand Canyon National Park (GRCA), ensuring program alignment, compliance, and shared success. The Senior Program Manager is responsible for cultivating an exceptional on-site experience for participants, training and developing guides and instructors, and implementing evaluations to understand participant impact and identify programmatic opportunities.

This is a full-time, exempt, and benefit-eligible position offered either as a hybrid remote role (requiring residence within a 2-hour driving radius of the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park, with 75% of time spent onsite) or on-site at the South Rim (eligible for GCC-subsidized housing and office space).

About Grand Canyon Conservancy

Grand Canyon Conservancy (GCC) is the official nonprofit partner of Grand Canyon National Park. GCC’s mission is to inspire generations of park champions to cherish and support the natural and cultural wonder of Grand Canyon. GCC raises private funds, operates retail shops within the park, and provides premier educational programs about the natural and cultural history of the region. In partnership with Grand Canyon National Park, GCC supports initiatives that uplift Indigenous knowledge, protect sacred sites, and ensure tribal voices play a vital role in shaping the future of the canyon.

Responsibilities

• Strategy and Program Development
  • Collaborate with the Director of Visitor Programs and Grand Canyon National Park (GRCA) colleagues on Field Institute visitor program governance, strategy, and execution to ensure alignment with the organization’s mission and annual strategic plan.
  • Develop long-range Field Institute visitor program strategies to support department goals and drive deep and meaningful public engagement.
  • Assist the Director of Visitor Programs in strategic planning conversations with GCC’s board of directors and other stakeholders to ensure support for transformative visitor program offerings.
  • Own the development and ongoing expansion of curriculum that supports all Field Institute visitor programs, ensuring content is engaging and aligns with GCC and GRCA priorities.
• Staff Leadership
  • Recruit, train, and manage compliance and compensation for the pool of 15-20 naturalist guides (contract and employee) supporting Field Institute programming.
  • Provide direct, day-to-day, on-site supervision of staff delivering free visitor programs, ensuring consistent leadership and program quality at the South Rim.
  • Set clear performance expectations and provide ongoing professional development for administrative and program staff, including those who coordinate workflows to ensure smooth trip logistics and customer satisfaction.
• Operations and Program Management
  • Develop and execute administrative processes, including vendor and guide contracts, invoicing and payments, and program policies and standard operating procedures.
  • Develop and manage an annual budget for the program in collaboration with the Director of Visitor Programs to maximize revenue generated through programming fees and philanthropic support while managing departmental operating expenses.
  • Develop monitoring and evaluation frameworks, including KPIs, and prepare regular program reports on outcomes and impact for internal and external stakeholders.
  • Lead the development of the annual Field Institute visitor program calendar with a mix of program types that drive long-term growth and visitor enrichment, including coordination and review with NPS.
  • Ensure program compliance with GRCA and GCC policies and regulations.
  • Lead collaboration with internal departments, including marketing, retail, residency, and philanthropy, to identify and execute opportunities for visitor program growth.
  • Coordinate with the GCC marketing team to develop annual marketing plans across multiple channels to deliver revenue and customer goals.
  • Coordinate the development, implementation, and review of all risk management policies, procedures, emergency protocols, and incident reporting.
  • Support special projects, GCC events, visitor engagement, or organizational priorities as needed or as capacity allows.

Requirements

• 3-5 years of professional work experience managing all elements of day and multiday educational programs for adults, children, and intergenerational audiences, preferably focused on outdoor programs emphasizing cultural and natural resource education. This should include:
  • Supervising both full- and part-time regular and seasonal staff.
  • Development and leadership of educational curriculum and program content.
  • Budget oversight and financial reporting.
  • Development and implementation of risk management policies and procedures.
• Academic achievements such as a Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD, or equivalent in related disciplines (e.g., Outdoor Recreation Management, Natural Sciences, or Science and Resource Management) and/or field experience may be considered in lieu of, or to supplement, the professional experience listed above.
• Ability to spend up to 5 days in a wilderness environment while hiking and carrying packs of up to 40 pounds; must ensure physical condition with no limitations.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license and be able to safely operate a 12-passenger van and travel without assistance.

Benefits

• Employer-sponsored health insurance options with free or low-cost premiums and HSA account contributions.
• Life, disability, and AD&D insurance policies at no charge.
• Eligibility for participation upon hire in retirement plans with employer match and financial planning services.
• Paid time off, leaves, and sick time, including unique paid Canyon Experience Days honoring time spent for rejuvenation in nature.
• Discounted GCC-sponsored outdoor experiential classes.

Pay

The target hiring salary is $85,000 annually.

Schedule

• Full-time, exempt position.
• Approximately 85% of job duties are performed in an office setting, with the remainder involving fieldwork, hiking, and driving 12-passenger vans.
• May occasionally work more than 40 hours per week or on weekends and holidays to meet critical deadlines and attend special functions.

Working Conditions

• Sedentary office work, including long periods at a desk performing repetitive tasks such as typing, using the telephone, and using other office tools.
• Fieldwork involving short and remote hiking on the rim and into the canyon.
• Driving 12-passenger vans with program participants.