Director of Wildlife Expeditions

Teton Science Schools; Jackson (WY); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Teton Science Schools is seeking a Director of Wildlife Expeditions to provide strategic and operational leadership for the department. You will oversee program development, budgeting, partnerships, safety, and guest experiences across the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.

Based at the Jackson Campus, you will lead a multidisciplinary team, drive revenue growth and ensure high‑quality, safe wildlife adventures. This is a mission‑driven, impactful leadership role with occasional travel.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree preferred or equivalent experience in outdoor programming, tourism, or education.
• Experience leading teams and managing complex programs and budgets.
• Strong leadership and communication skills with external partners.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategy, planning and daily operations of Wildlife Expeditions.
• Oversee budgets, pricing, enrollment, and program profitability.
• Recruit, train, supervise, and retain staff; provide regular coaching.
• Develop and nurture partnerships with tourism providers and agencies.
• Ensure permits, safety, risk management, and incident review processes.
• Represent the department on cross‑functional organizational initiatives.

Skills

Leadership

Budget management

Program development

Staff supervision

Partnership building

Guest experience

Education

Bachelor's degree preferred

Job description

Position Purpose

Teton Science Schools is a nonprofit educational organization that connects people, nature, and place through transformative place-based learning. Wildlife Expeditions advances this mission by providing educational wildlife experiences throughout the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.

The Director of Wildlife Expeditions provides strategic, operational, financial, and people leadership for the department. This role ensures Wildlife Expeditions programs are safe, educational, financially sustainable, and provide an exceptional guest experience.

The Director leads the Wildlife Expeditions team, oversees program development and delivery, manages budgets and partnerships, ensures compliance with permits and risk management standards, and collaborates across TSS to support the organization’s mission and long-term goals.

Responsibilities

Program and Operational Leadership

• Lead the strategy, planning, and daily operations of Wildlife Expeditions.
• Ensure programs provide high-quality, educational, and guest-focused wildlife experiences.
• Oversee program schedules, staffing, logistics, guest communication, transportation, and multi-day itineraries.
• Evaluate and improve program offerings, pricing, operational systems, and overall efficiency.
• Ensure guides have the information, equipment, vehicles, and support needed to deliver successful programs.
• Participate in an on-call rotation and provide support during program emergencies or disruptions.

Financial and Business Management

• Develop and manage the Wildlife Expeditions budget, revenue goals, expenses, and pricing.
• Monitor enrollment, fill rates, profitability, and overall program performance.
• Identify opportunities to grow revenue, partnerships, and program offerings.
• Develop pricing and program plans for private, custom, and multi-day experiences.
• Collaborate with Finance, Marketing, Registration, Sales, and Operations to support department goals.

Team Leadership and Development

• Recruit, hire, train, supervise, and retain Wildlife Expeditions staff.
• Provide employees with clear expectations, regular feedback, coaching, and professional development.
• Lead performance management, goal setting, and employee accountability within the department.
• Build a collaborative, inclusive, service-oriented, and mission-driven team culture.

Partnerships and Program Development

• Build and maintain strong relationships with tourism partners, vendors, lodging providers, land management agencies, and community organizations.
• Oversee relationships and logistics for contracted and multi-day program partners.
• Develop new programs, itineraries, partnerships, and experiences that align with guest needs and the TSS mission.
• Collaborate with Marketing and Sales to promote Wildlife Expeditions and strengthen referral and partnership opportunities.

Permits, Safety, and Risk Management

• Oversee permit applications, reporting, and compliance with public land requirements.
• Ensure programs follow TSS safety, driving, emergency response, and risk management standards.
• Support staff in making sound decisions related to wildlife encounters, weather, guest needs, transportation, and changing field conditions.
• Review incidents, guest concerns, and operational challenges and implement improvements as needed.

Organizational Leadership

• Represent Wildlife Expeditions as a member of the TSS leadership team.
• Collaborate across departments to share resources, strengthen programs, and support organizational priorities.
• Communicate department goals, performance, challenges, and resource needs to organizational leadership.
• Contribute to an inclusive and supportive work and learning environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to meet TSS driving requirements.
• Wilderness First Responder, CPR, and AED certification, or ability to obtain within an established timeframe.
• Five or more years of progressively responsible experience in outdoor programming, tourism, environmental education, hospitality, or a related field.
• Experience supervising employees and leading professional or seasonal teams.
• Experience managing complex programs, schedules, logistics, and partner relationships.
• Experience managing budgets, pricing, revenue goals, and expenses.
• Strong leadership, communication, customer service, organization, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and make sound decisions in dynamic environments.
• Experience resolving complex guest, employee, or operational concerns.
• Experience guiding or teaching in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem preferred.
• Experience working with public land agencies, permits, or commercial use requirements preferred.

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements

• Based primarily at the Jackson Campus with regular travel throughout the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and to other TSS locations.
• Work occurs in both office and outdoor settings.
• May require early mornings, evenings, weekends, holidays, irregular schedules, and multi-day travel.
• Ability to work outdoors in variable and sometimes extreme weather conditions.
• Ability to drive TSS vehicles for extended periods.
• Ability to move over uneven terrain, repeatedly enter and exit vehicles, and carry program equipment.
• Ability to bend, stoop, reach, and lift or carry up to 50 pounds.