Equestrian Center Director

Job description

Requirements

• We are seeking an accomplished, personable, and visionary Director to lead a world-class, upscale equestrian center. This individual will combine exceptional horsemanship with strong business leadership, proven fundraising ability, and a passion for helping people through horses.
• The Director will oversee daily operations, develop outstanding riding and equine-assisted programs, cultivate donors and community partnerships, and deliver an exceptional experience for riders, families, guests, and supporters.
• Key Responsibilities
• Leadership & Operations
• Lead the center with high standards for horse care, safety, professionalism, hospitality, and facility presentation.
• Hire, train, schedule, and supervise instructors, barn staff, program personnel, and volunteers.
• Manage budgets, scheduling, facility maintenance, and operational performance.
• Create a welcoming environment that reflects the quality and service expected of an upscale equestrian destination.
• Fundraising & Community Partnerships
• Develop and execute a fundraising strategy that supports programs, scholarships, horse care, and facility improvements.
• Build lasting relationships with individual donors, corporate sponsors, foundations, and community leaders.
• Identify grant opportunities and coordinate compelling proposals and funding requests.
• Plan fundraising events, sponsorship campaigns, and donor experiences.
• Communicate program outcomes and demonstrate the impact of financial contributions.
• Riding Instruction & Program Development
• Oversee engaging, high-quality riding lessons for a range of ages and abilities.
• Teach lessons within the Director’s qualifications and mentor instructors in effective teaching practices.
• Establish clear rider progression, appropriate horse-and-rider matching, and consistent safety procedures.
• Develop clinics, camps, workshops, and specialty programs that strengthen participation and revenue.
• Therapeutic Riding & Equine-Assisted Services
• Develop and oversee inclusive programs that support participants’ confidence, connection, and well-being.
• Coordinate therapeutic riding instruction with appropriately trained and credentialed professionals.
• Partner with licensed clinicians for services involving mental health treatment or other clinical therapies.
• Ensure appropriate participant screening, confidentiality, documentation, and emergency procedures.
• Match program demands to each horse’s suitability, workload, and welfare.
• Horse Care & Welfare
• Oversee nutrition, conditioning, turnout, veterinary care, farrier services, and horse health records.
• Maintain a well-trained, suitable lesson and program herd.
• Set consistent expectations for humane handling and recognize when horses need rest, retraining, or retirement.
• Qualifications
• Demonstrated leadership experience in an equestrian center, riding academy, therapeutic riding program, or comparable organization.
• Excellent horsemanship and substantial experience teaching or supervising riding instruction.
• Proven success in fundraising, donor development, sponsorships, or nonprofit advancement.
• Strong financial management, organizational, communication, and team-building skills.
• Ability to build trusted relationships with clients, donors, staff, volunteers, and community partners.
• Experience serving participants with diverse abilities and support needs.
• Relevant therapeutic riding credentials, such as PATH Intl. certification, strongly preferred.
• Current CPR and First Aid certification, or willingness to obtain.
• Availability for occasional evenings, weekends, and special events.
• The Ideal Candidate
• You are a polished, hands-on leader who is equally comfortable welcoming a major donor, coaching an instructor, supporting a participant, and walking the barn to check on the horses. You understand that a world-class equestrian center is built on excellent care, thoughtful service, sound management, and meaningful relationships.
• Measures of Success
• Success will be reflected in exceptional horse care, safe and high-quality programs, strong client retention, a capable and supported team, growing donor relationships, and measurable progress toward fundraising and financial goals.
• Position: Full-time
• Compensation: Competitive and commensurate with experience and qualifications.
• To Apply: Submit a résumé and cover letter highlighting equestrian leadership experience, fundraising achievements, and experience with riding instruction and equine-assisted programs.

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Housing Available

About The Pine Hill Ranch