Equestrian Program Manager

National Ability Center•Park City, UT

About The Position

Join Our Team: For more than 40 years, the National Ability Center has been breaking barriers and transforming lives through adaptive sports and recreation—creating opportunities for people with disabilities to experience adventure, independence, and community. Are you passionate about horses and inspired by the life-changing impact of therapeutic and adaptive riding? The National Ability Center is seeking a motivated and experienced Equestrian Program Manager to help lead our nationally recognized Equestrian program in beautiful Park City, Utah. In this full-time, year-round leadership role, you will support program development and daily operations, mentor and supervise instructors, collaborate with volunteers and families, and help deliver safe, inclusive, and empowering riding experiences for participants with disabilities. If you thrive in a mission-driven environment and bring a strong background in equestrian instruction, team leadership, and adaptive programming, we invite you to join a program where your work truly makes a difference. Job Summary: The Equestrian Program Manager supports the Senior Manager in the development, coordination, and administration of the therapeutic recreation and adaptive sports equestrian program. This role is crucial for ensuring smooth daily operations, assisting in program delivery, and managing various aspects of program administration. The Program Manager will work closely with staff, volunteers, and participants to enhance the overall effectiveness and impact of the program. This position is a full-time, year-round position with benefits, and it requires weekend and after-hours work, as needed.

Requirements

3 years of experience working in equestrian riding instruction and basic horsemanship.
Work experience in Therapeutic Recreation, Sports Management, a related field.
1 year of supervisory experience in an equestrian program, or a related field.
Ability to ride and school a wide variety of horses (i.e. English, Western, bareback, etc.); riding skill proficiency demonstration at a minimum: walk, trot/jog & canter/lope on a variety of horses and disciplines.
Knowledge of PATH and ability to obtain industry certification(s).
Current First Aid and CPR certification, or the ability to obtain (NAC will provide a free on-site course, if needed).
Valid Driver’s License.
Be able to maintain a Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) physical.
Must pass a pre-employment background check.
Must be legally authorized to work in the United States. We do not sponsor employment visas or other immigration processes to attain or maintain employment eligibility.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in Equine Science, Therapeutic Recreation, Sports Management, a related field.
Certification in Therapeutic Riding Instructor (PATH Intl.) or equivalent.
Experience working with a non-profit organization.
Experience in therapeutic recreation or experience working with people with various disabilities.
Experience recruiting and managing volunteers.

Responsibilities

Assists in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of therapeutic and adaptive equestrian activities and events.
Serves as an instructor as needed for mounted riding lessons and unmounted riding programs, adhering to the curriculum and rider progression guidelines established by the Senior Manager.
Supervises, trains, mentors, and evaluates part-time Equestrian Instructors including supporting the development of annual goals, prioritizing needs, providing resources, and providing regular feedback.
Coordinates daily program schedules, including sessions, appointments, and activities.
Facilitates effective communication between participants, families, and program staff and serves as a point of contact for participants and their families to address questions, concerns, and feedback regarding the riding instruction and participant experiences.
Ensures that all program materials, equipment, and resources are prepared and available.
Works directly with the Equestrian Volunteer Coordinator to ensure that all scheduling needs are filled by trained and qualified volunteers.
Assists with summer camps, trail rides, and special groups.
Assists in organizing and promoting community outreach and engagement activities.
Maintains accurate and up-to-date records related to program participants, attendance records, lesson experiences, and rider progress notes.
Ensures adherence to safety protocols and regulatory requirements in all program activities.
Conducts regular safety checks of equipment, facilities, and program practices to ensure the highest level of safety for all aspects of mounted and unmounted programs.
Monitors and enforces compliance with organizational policies and industry standards, specifically all standards and requirements for PATH accreditation.
Assists with daily care of horses and barn chores as assigned.
Collects and analyzes feedback from participants, families, and staff to assess the program and riding instruction effectiveness.
Contributes to and makes recommendations to the Senior Manager for the development and implementation of strategies for program improvement and growth.
Supports program evaluations and assists in reporting on program outcomes, participant experiences, and impact.
Supports with “Emergency Horse Transport – On Call” within the equestrian department as assigned.
Delivers a positive, fun, and collaborative team working environment experience.
Assists in organizing and executing special events, demonstrations, and fundraisers related to the equestrian program, specifically Barn Party every summer.

Benefits

Health Insurance with Health Savings Account
Employer Contribution to HSA
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Long-term Disability
Life Insurance
Voluntary Accident and Hospital Plans
Paid Time Off (PTO) annually
11 Paid Holidays + 2 Paid Personal Days Annually (including a paid day off on your birthday)
403(b) Plan with Employer Match
Parental Leave
Pet Insurance
Pro Deals with gear companies