Outward Bound Costa Rica inspires and develops leadership, compassion, responsibility, respect for the environment and commitment to serve through adventure-based wilderness experiences led by the most skilled, safety-conscious staff. OBCR currently seeks a Group Programs & Partnerships Manager to join its communications team to promote, sell, and organize all details associated with the school’s group adventure courses.
The Communications Team is charged with increasing course participation across all target audiences and ensuring excellent customer service with regard to stakeholder communication – from prospective students, to families of students currently on course, to alumni and partners. The Group Programs & Partnerships Manager reports directly to the Director of Marketing & Communications.
This position requires relocating to Costa Rica and committing to an 18-month to 2-year contract.
Duties fall under the following:
Course Management (40%)
Marketing/Sales/Outreach (40%)
Partnership Management (20%)
Specific Duties Include:
- Lead business development for all course offerings, including proactive outreach to new market segments, cold calls, marketing/outreach efforts, etc.
- Actively research and develop customized offerings to appeal to new audiences and work with the Program Director to develop and support these programs internally
- Collaborate with the Program Office to create and present custom course itineraries for different target audiences including, but not limited to, school groups, corporations, faith-based organizations, girl/boy scout troops, and families
- Act as principle communications liaison between group coordinators and their students, and Outward Bound Costa Rica staff via email, phone, and personal meetings
- Provide updates regarding plans for contract courses and events to OBCR Management Team on a regular basis
- Support logistics of special events and customized courses, including arrangements for hotel reservations, transportation, staffing, and gear, as needed
- Manage all special events on-site (i.e. one-day events) as well as ensure logistics for arrivals and departures of all custom courses run smoothly. This may involve work outside of office hours, including evenings and/or weekends
- Proactively seek partnerships with organizations that can contribute to current course offerings, i.e. service organizations
- Review all enrollment and medical forms for incoming groups
- Issue evaluations at the end of each course and maintain evaluation data
- Assist with any other administrative duties or projects as needed. Due to the nature of our office staff members may be asked to assume different responsibilities outside of their job description. It is imperative that a new marketing staff member be flexible and eager to pitch in where needed
- Cultural sensitivity
- Willingness and ability to live and work in close quarters with a small group of people
- Ability to separate personal and professional issues
- Spanish language fluency highly preferred
- Personal interest in the outdoors, Central American culture and the mission of Outward Bound
- Ability to multi-task and stay focused despite regular interruption
- Sense of humor
- Tenacity about traveling and/or finding personal connections in the greater San Jose area despite challenges (i.e. bad weather, limited transportation options, cultural differences, etc.)
- Openness to collaboration and/or differing opinions
- Diplomatic in nature
- At least one year living, working or studying outside of your home country (preferred)
- 2+ years sales, fundraising or business development experience (preferred)
- Proven customer service and/or administrative skills
- Bachelor’s degree in communication, education, business, international relations or related field (required)
- Strong attention to detail
- Strong organization and project management skills
- Excellent grasp of spoken and written English
- Education-focused copy writing experience a plus
- Motivated to initiate and lead new projects
- Knowledge of Microsoft Office
- Experience with Adobe InDesign and Photoshop (preferred)
- Experience with Salesforce and/or MailChimp (preferred)
- Monthly stipend
- 30 days paid vacation
- Basic travel insurance coverage and preventative medical stipend
- Plane ticket to and from Costa Rica
- Private bedroom in a furnished, 4 bedroom / 2 bathroom house on our main base (located SE of San Jose in San Ramon de Tres Rios) – all utilities included (water, electricity, phone, cable TV, wireless internet)
- Access to Outward Bound Costa Rica courses and equipment for personal use