Summary
Description
Who We Are
Since 1962, Colorado Outward Bound School (COBS) has been on a mission to spark lifelong growth through challenge—outside. We facilitate adventurous learning experiences to unlock confidence, curiosity, and the skills to thrive with purpose. Our wilderness and urban programs across Colorado and Utah serve thousands of students annually, with a strong emphasis on community partnerships, equity, inclusion, and safety.
COBS is a chartered member of Outward Bound USA (OBUSA), operating in alignment with national safety standards and educational philosophy. Together, we are working towards a bold shared vision: generations of youth empowered to realize their potential—rising with courage, leading with compassion, and building more connected, resilient communities.
Position Impact
You will play a key role in ensuring more Colorado and Utah youth and young adults have access to life-changing outdoor learning experiences. Programs are far-reaching – outside in rugged backcountry settings in the Rocky Mountains or Southwest Utah, and in front country settings with partner organizations – lasting anywhere from one day to an entire semester.
Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director serves as the public face of COBS, leading a dedicated team of 24 year-round staff and approximately 120 seasonal staff, with up to 5 direct reports. COBS is seeking a growth-oriented leader who will demonstrate strong revenue generation capabilities, including expertise in sales, development, and fundraising strategy, to ensure the organization’s long-term sustainability and growth. The ideal candidate will bring a passion for outdoor education, proven leadership experience, and a commitment to growing access to Outward Bound for our local communities.
This role oversees the successful implementation of COBS’s annual plan and manages a $4.5 million operating budget, ensuring alignment with the organization’s mission and strategic priorities. The Executive Director will oversee both the Development Team, responsible for achieving a 2026 annual fundraising goal of $1.35 million, and the Sales Team, which manages a 2026 annual tuition revenue target of $3.58 million.
As the leader of the school, they hold ultimate accountability for organizational safety and risk management, setting and upholding a culture of safety across all programs, field operations, and administrative functions.
Key Functions and Responsibilities
Development, Fundraising & Financial Stewardship
– Lead comprehensive fundraising efforts, including major gifts, grants, and corporate partnerships.
– Build and nurture strategic relationships with key internal and external stakeholders, effectively engaging them to secure financial support and other resources that advance the organization’s mission.
– Oversee financial management, budgeting, and resource allocation to ensure sustainability and growth.
Strategic Vision & Execution
– Communicate and act on a compelling, forward-looking vision and strategic plan for COBS developed by the board and staff.
– Drive innovation in programming and expand school and community partnerships to increase student impact.
– Collaborate across the Outward Bound USA system to ensure continued brand alignment.
– Ensure compliance with the OBUSA Charter guidelines and oversee the Charter Audit process.
Leadership & Team Development
– Lead, coach, and retain a high-performing, collaborative senior leadership team and support staff development and emerging leaders.
– Foster an inclusive, transparent, and mission-driven organizational culture.
– Advance DEI principles across all aspects of the organization.
– Set and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) and outcomes.
Program Impact & Oversight
– Promote safety, equity, and excellence in all program delivery.
– Participate in the COBS Emergency Response Plan, including serving in the Incident Commander and Spokesperson roles as needed.
Board & Stakeholder Engagement
– Serve as the primary liaison to the Board of Directors, ensuring strong governance and engagement.
– Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including donors, educators, policymakers, and community leaders.
– Create meaningful opportunities for board and partner involvement.
Education and Work Experience
– Minimum of 7–10 years of progressive leadership experience in a nonprofit or mission-driven organization.
– Experience managing multi-site operations, complex budgets, and staff teams, preferably in education, outdoor education, or experiential learning programs.
– Successful track record in strategic fundraising, major gifts, or capital campaign management.
– Demonstrated experience overseeing profit and loss statements and managing complex, multi-source budgets, with the ability to interpret financial reports and make timely, informed decisions that drive organizational sustainability.
– Proven track record of strategic planning and execution, with experience leading organizational growth, program development, and fundraising initiatives.
– Demonstrated experience in cultivating and maintaining relationships with diverse stakeholders, including boards, funders, community partners, and staff.
– Experience in talent management, including hiring, coaching, and developing senior leadership teams.
– History of leading organizational change initiatives and fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, inclusivity, and innovation.
– Familiarity with compliance requirements, regulatory standards, and risk management in nonprofit operations and/or education, outdoor education, or experiential learning programs.
Location and Physical Requirements
– Permanent work authorization in the United States is required to apply for this position.
– Based in Colorado and follows a hybrid work model, with both in-person and remote responsibilities.
– 15% or more of work time may be spent traveling. Frequent in-person attendance at meetings and collaboration sessions is required. Travel to base camps in Leadville, CO, and Moab, UT, as well as travel to meet with donors, to OBUSA meetings and forums, as well as to gatherings of Outward Bound schools across the system, will be required.
– Ability to work at a desk and on a computer for most of the day. Repetitive motions, such as typing on a keyboard, are part of daily tasks.
– While the role is generally not physically demanding, the ability to lift and carry light objects may be occasionally required. Preference for the ability to attend courses with staff and/or donors, or meeting certain courses at the trailhead, with reasonable accommodations as necessary.
Compensation & Benefits
– This is a full-time, exempt position.
– Salary range for role: $140,000 – $160,000
– COBS offers a competitive benefits package, including health/dental/vision insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, and life insurance, plus the option to participate in a 401(k) plan.
– COBS offers generous PTO, paid service hours, sick time and professional development opportunities, pro deal eligibility, employee assistance program, and family discounts on COBS courses.
The cover letter and resume can be addressed to Board Chair, Elan Greenberg via the application link. Closing Date: October 31, 2025
COBS is committed to providing reasonable accommodations in the workplace. Reasonable accommodations may be requested for disability; limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or a related medical condition; religion; and domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, or harassment. Reasonable accommodations may be requested at any point of the employment process, including during recruitment.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Outward Bound has a zero-tolerance policy for incidents of child abuse and neglect. Protecting our minor students against abuse and neglect is of the highest priority.
