Therapeutic Riding Manager

Helen Woodward Animal Center; Rancho Santa Fe (CA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Helen Woodward Animal Center in Rancho Santa Fe, CA seeks a Therapeutic Riding Manager to lead and grow its therapeutic riding program. The role combines horsemanship, therapeutic instruction and people leadership to deliver high-quality experiences for participants and families.

Ideal candidates hold PATH Intl. CTRI certification, have experience in adaptive riding and can coach staff and volunteers while managing program operations and budgets. Weekend availability is required.

Qualifications

• Current PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor (CTRI) certification.
• Meaningful experience providing therapeutic/adaptive riding instruction.
• Strong horsemanship and equine handling skills.
• Commitment to safety and high-quality participant experiences.
• Ability to coach, support and develop employees and volunteers.
• Strong communication, organization and relationship-building skills.
• Interest in taking on greater program and people leadership responsibility.
• Previous management experience is valuable; first leadership role is welcome.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day operations and development of the Therapeutic Riding program.
• Lead, support and develop instructors, staff and volunteers.
• Ensure safe, high-quality riding experiences for participants.
• Oversee lesson programming, scheduling and participant services.
• Help select and maintain a therapeutic riding horse herd.
• Maintain standards for equine care, safety and operations.
• Align program practices with PATH Intl. standards.
• Manage program budgets, records and operational needs.
• Build relationships with participants, families and partners.
• Identify opportunities to expand participation and growth.

Skills

PATH Intl CTRI

Therapeutic riding

Staff development

Safety leadership

Program management

Communication

Leadership potential

Job description

THERAPEUTIC RIDING MANAGER

Helen Woodward Animal Center | Rancho Santa Fe, CA

$75,000-$90,000 annually, Full Time (Weekends required)

Turn your experience in therapeutic riding into an opportunity to lead.

Helen Woodward Animal Center is seeking an experienced, PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor who is ready to take the next step in their career and lead our Therapeutic Riding program.

This is an opportunity for someone who combines strong horsemanship and therapeutic riding expertise with a desire to lead people, strengthen a program and make an even greater impact on the lives of participants and their families.

You don't need to have held the title of Therapeutic Riding Manager before. We're looking for someone who understands the work, believes deeply in its impact and is ready to grow into broader program leadership.

What You'll Lead

As Therapeutic Riding Manager, you'll oversee the day-to-day operations and continued development of Helen Woodward Animal Center's Therapeutic Riding program.

You'll:

• Lead, support and develop therapeutic riding instructors, staff and volunteers.
• Ensure safe, high-quality therapeutic riding experiences for participants.
• Oversee lesson programming, scheduling and participant services.
• Help select, evaluate and maintain an appropriate therapeutic riding horse herd.
• Maintain high standards for equine care, safety and program operations.
• Ensure program practices align with applicable PATH Intl. standards.
• Manage program budgets, records and operational needs.
• Build relationships with participants, families and community partners.
• Help identify opportunities to expand participation and strengthen the program.
• Collaborate with Center leadership, Development and other departments to tell the program's story and support its continued growth.

What We're Looking For

Our ideal candidate brings:

• Current PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor (CTRI) certification.
• Meaningful experience providing therapeutic/adaptive riding instruction.
• Strong horsemanship and equine handling skills.
• A demonstrated commitment to safety and high-quality participant experiences.
• The ability to coach, support and develop employees and volunteers.
• Strong communication, organization and relationship-building skills.
• An interest in taking on greater program and people leadership responsibility.

Previous management experience is valuable, but we also welcome experienced therapeutic riding professionals who are ready to move into their first significant leadership role. Additional experience in barn management, horse training, English and Western disciplines, program administration or horse shows is a plus.

Why Helen Woodward Animal Center?

This isn't simply an opportunity to teach more lessons. It's an opportunity to lead.

You’ll have the chance to shape a therapeutic riding program within an established nonprofit organization, develop instructors and volunteers, care for an exceptional equine team and help create meaningful experiences for participants and families.

You’ll also join a broader organization built around the belief that animals and people can help one another in extraordinary ways.

For an experienced therapeutic riding professional looking for the next chapter of their career, this is an opportunity to bring together your horsemanship, teaching experience and leadership potential - and make the program your own.

Due to the nature of our clients and our work environment, a Livescan Fingerprint background check is required.