Yellowstone Forever (YF) is the official nonprofit partner of Yellowstone National Park, working to protect, preserve, and enhance the park through education and philanthropy. By connecting people to Yellowstone through high-quality educational programs and visitor experiences, YF inspires a lifelong appreciation for the park’s natural wonders, wildlife, and cultural history. YF supports the park through partnerships with the National Park Service and operates Park Stores, the Yellowstone Forever Institute, and a robust supporter program.

The Institute Programming Manager is a hands-on leader responsible for developing and implementing dynamic educational programs that connect participants to the ecological, cultural, and conservation priorities of Yellowstone National Park. This position not only creates the vision for innovative, world-class programming but actively engages in the work required to bring these programs to life.

The Institute Programming Manager leads program development from concept to execution, ensuring offerings align with Yellowstone Forever’s mission and educational standards, including Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). This role supervises the Institute Program Coordinators, providing guidance on participant recruitment strategies and collaborating with YF’s marketing team to create and execute outreach plans that maximize program visibility and enrollment. Additionally, the Manager develops and manages program-specific budgets, working closely with staff to track expenses and revenue to ensure financial sustainability.

This role requires both strategic vision and the ability to dive into the details, demonstrating creativity, strong organizational skills, and a collaborative mindset. The Institute Programming Manager is instrumental in advancing Yellowstone Forever’s mission through high-quality educational programming that inspires lifelong connections to Yellowstone.

Primary Responsibilities

Program Development and Execution

• Develop and implement dynamic and innovative educational programs for the Yellowstone Forever Institute, translating the overall departmental vision into specific, actionable programming.
• Create, design, and refine curricula and program content for diverse audiences, including youth, adults, and professional development participants, ensuring alignment with Yellowstone Forever’s mission and educational standards, such as Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).
• Work collaboratively with Yellowstone National Park staff to ensure programming reflects park priorities and maintains consistent educational messaging.
• Continuously evaluate and adapt program offerings based on participant feedback and data, ensuring high-quality, impactful experiences that meet strategic objectives.

Participant Recruitment and Marketing Strategy

• Lead the development of recruitment strategies to drive strong participation in Institute programs, ensuring alignment with programming goals.
• Collaborate with the marketing team to create targeted outreach campaigns and marketing strategies, contributing directly to content and ensuring messaging supports recruitment objectives.
• Supervise Institute Program Coordinators to ensure the successful implementation of recruitment strategies and seamless program logistics.
• Regularly review recruitment and marketing outcomes, using data to refine strategies and maximize enrollment.

Financial Stewardship

• Coordinate with Programs Operations Manager to manage program-specific budgets, ensuring resources are allocated effectively to maximize mission-driven impact and sustainability throughout programs.
• Collaborate with program staff to track and forecast revenue and expenses, maintaining transparency and alignment with organizational financial goals.
• Work closely with the Chief Program Officer to ensure financial stewardship, providing recommendations for resource allocation and program sustainability.

Impact Measurement and Continuous Improvement

• Partner with the Chief Program Officer to define measurable impact goals for Institute programs and establish systems to track and evaluate outcomes.
• Analyze participant feedback, enrollment trends, and program data to identify areas for improvement and guide future program development.
• Report regularly on program impact and outcomes, using data-driven insights to inform decision-making and ensure programming aligns with organizational goals.

Supervision and Team Collaboration

• Supervise Institute Program Coordinators, providing mentorship, support, and guidance to ensure successful recruitment efforts and program delivery.
• Collaborate closely with the Field Education Manager to ensure alignment between program design and on-the-ground implementation, maintaining a consistent participant experience and supporting field educators in delivering high-quality programming.
• Work alongside coordinators to address logistical challenges and support program implementation.
• Foster a collaborative and team-oriented environment within the Institute, working closely with staff across departments to achieve organizational priorities.

Program-Specific Representation

• Represent Yellowstone Forever in program-related meetings with internal teams, park staff, educational institutions, and community organizations.
• Participate in donor engagement events and outreach opportunities to highlight the impact of Institute programming, as directed by the Chief Program Officer.
• Stay informed on trends and best practices in environmental education and interpretation, focusing on the development and delivery of Institute programming.
  
  

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental education, nonprofit leadership, curriculum development, program design, or a related field; OR equivalent combination of professional experience and education.
• At least 7 years of demonstrated experience designing, developing, and delivering educational programs for diverse audiences in formal or informal learning environments.
• Proven ability to create and implement strategic recruitment and engagement plans, with clear outcomes tied to program growth and visibility.
• Strong leadership and supervisory experience, including mentoring staff, fostering collaboration, and managing project teams through the full lifecycle of program planning and execution.
• Solid understanding of experiential learning, place-based education, and curriculum design that aligns with national standards such as NGSS.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with experience tailoring messaging for recruitment, marketing, donor engagement, and community partnerships.
• Experience working within or alongside a marketing or communications team to build outreach strategies that drive enrollment and engagement.
• Strong financial acumen, with experience in developing and managing program-specific budgets and tracking revenue/expenses to inform decision-making.
• High degree of emotional intelligence and cultural awareness, with a demonstrated commitment to collaborative partnerships—internally and externally.
• Valid U.S. driver’s license with favorable driving record and ability to pass Yellowstone Forever’s driver training and DOT medical exam.
• Ability to pass and maintain a satisfactory criminal background check (renewed every two years).

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in nonprofit leadership, environmental education, public administration, or a related field.
• Direct experience creating educational programming in national parks, conservation areas, or field-based institutes.
• Knowledge of Yellowstone National Park’s ecological, cultural, and conservation priorities and/or previous partnerships with the National Park Service.
• Experience using data to measure impact and inform programmatic improvements; comfort with tools like Excel, Salesforce, Power BI, or other reporting platforms.
• Familiarity with Indigenous education, community-based partnerships, and storytelling as tools for environmental and cultural education.
• Experience integrating volunteers or seasonal staff into program operations and delivery.
• Training in risk management for outdoor education, including emergency preparedness and program safety planning.

Yellowstone Forever is an equal opportunity employer. It is our policy to comply with all applicable local, state, and federal laws prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, marital status, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status, political beliefs, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.