Position: Tours Operations Manager
Start Date: Immediately
Salary: $50,000-$54,000
Reports to: Director of Experiences

Position overview:

Adventure Cycling Association seeks a dynamic and well-organized manager to help execute the Tours Department's operational goals; collaborating with the Director of Experiences to help further our mission of inspiring, empowering, and connecting people to travel by bicycle. This is a challenging and fulfilling opportunity to guide one of the largest and most visible bicycle tour operations for North America's largest cycling membership non-profit organization. We seek an individual who is passionate about bicycling, thrives on interacting with people, and has great attention to detail. The position is based at Adventure Cycling's headquarters in bike-friendly and beautiful Missoula, MT.

About Adventure Cycling:

As the largest nonprofit cycling organization in the country, Adventure Cycling has an impactful voice in policies and programs that advance the safety and accessibility of cycling. Adventure Cycling serves through its members and the bike travel community. Our cycling community encourages and supports countless cyclists each year as they explore the beauty and history of America while tending to their mental and physical well-being. For nearly half a century, Adventure Cycling has created life-changing experiences that deepen appreciation for our country’s diverse cultures, communities, landscapes, and people. Adventure Cycling headquarters are based in Missoula, MT, and we acknowledge and honor the Indigenous peoples who consider this land their home. The area’s natural abundance was stewarded by many peoples including the Blackfeet, Crow, Shoshone, Cheyenne, Kootenai, Pend d’Oreilles and Salish for millennia before colonization, and continues to be to this day.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion:

The Staff and Board of Directors of Adventure Cycling Association believes in the power of bicycle travel to open minds and change the way the world explores. We envision a future where this organization draws staff, tour leaders, members, board members, and riders from the whole of our society. For this to occur, bicycle travel has to be available for everyone.

We are committed to listening to BIPOC, LGBTQ, and other marginalized peoples and understanding the systems contributing to oppression while also working to provide more resources and support for these communities.

The Adventure Cycling Association acknowledges its place in this power dynamic. As an organization we have benefitted from white privilege omnipresent in the United States and must use our power to hire, support, empower, and create safe spaces for Black, Indigenous and People of Color, LGBTQIA+, and Femme/Trans/Women communities.

Key Responsibilities:

The Tours Operations Manager will collaborate with the Director of Experiences and supervise staff, work with Adventure Cycling Leaders and contractors, manage governmental tour permitting, oversee and improve communications with contractors, ensure outstanding customer service, and manage vehicles and certifications. The Tours Operations Manager will lead the yearly operational responsibilities of the Guided Tours program.

The Tours Operations Manager shall participate in and oversee the logistical operations related to the Tours Slate. This includes but is not limited to:

• Work with Tours Operations Specialists in management of each individual’s portfolio of tours;
• Manage Tours equipment and gear;
• Manage Tours vehicles - owned, leased, and rented - including movements, storage, maintenance, leasing contracts, procurement, and DOT requirements;
• Oversee the Tours Permitting Process, assuring that proper federal, state, and local permits are applied for and followed, including reporting requirements;
• Be ‘on call’ for Tours Emergencies in the field (approx. 12-18 weeks per year).

In addition, the Tours Operation Manager will participate in the daily operations of the department with the Tour Operations Specialists, including but not limited to:

• Manage a portfolio of tours (5-15) yearly;
• Provide necessary information to the Tours Customer Experience team to answer customer inquiries;
• Work with contracted tour leaders in the production and review of tour leader notes, tour expenses, budgets, and necessary certifications;
• Develop a thorough knowledge of our travel offerings;
• Assess, acquire and manage all the necessary permits required for federal, state and local jurisdictions for tours;
• Manage the creation and updating of informational packages, maps and related documents for new and existing tours;
• Assist in the design and planning of new tours and the creation/update of Tour Planning Documents on an annual basis;
• Assist with copywriting for tours marketing and social media programs;
• Provide other general operational and administrative support for the Tours Department and its programs, as necessary;
• Become a qualified tour leader and serve as a fill-in tour leader as needed;
• Some travel may be required on occasion to conferences or on tours; and
• Rotating with other Adventure Cycling Staff, provide tours of the Adventure Cycling facilities to visiting cyclists.

The Tours Operations Manager supervises the Tour Operations Specialists.

Required Qualifications:

• Strong organizational, supervision and interpersonal skills.
• Keen attention to detail
• Exceptional customer service skills and ability to work in a fast-paced, multi-tasked, quick response environment.
• Outstanding written and oral communications skills.
• Strong budgetary skills and business acumen.
• Proficiency in working with all Microsoft Suite Applications (Word, Excel, OneDrive, SharePoint, Calendar) and Microsoft Access, including complex formulae, lookups, calendars, groups. Understanding of applications for smart devices (phones and tablets).
• Proficiency in working with all Google Suite Applications (Docs, Sheets, Drive, Calendar) and Microsoft Access, Excel, and Word including complex formulae, lookups, calendars, groups. Understanding of applications for smart devices (phones and tablets).
• Self-starter with proven decision making and problem solving ability; leader who can collaborate with colleagues and partners.
• Understanding and willingness to engage with issues of institutional and structural racism or bias and their impacts on our organization and community.
• Commitment to equity and inclusion and to learn and respect differences of race, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, ability, religion and socio-economic circumstances and class.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working with people very different from yourself.
• Bicycle travel experience, solo or with groups
• Leadership/Guiding experience for adventure programs
• Valid Drivers License and experience driving large vehicles and trailers

Physical Requirements:

Elements of job duties may require occasional moving of up to 50 pounds and the ability to occasionally stoop, kneel, crouch, and lift items over your head; candidates not able to meet such demands can possibly work with staff or others

Compensation, Schedule and Benefits:

This is a full time, exempt position (average 40 hrs/week). Schedule varies by supervisor, but is generally M-F, 8am-5pm MST. Occasional night/weekend work and travel may be required. The position is located at Adventure Cycling’s headquarters in beautiful and bike-friendly Missoula, Montana. Benefits include paid time off, holidays, an additional fully paid one-week bike vacation (a.k.a. “bike respite”), medical, dental, and vision coverage, life insurance, and retirement plan. We have a wonderful office in downtown Missoula, with plenty of bike racks! Adventure Cycling Association is an equal opportunity employer.

Salary range: $50,000-$54,000

How to apply:

Please answer the following question in the last paragraph of your cover letter: “Describe why inclusive and accessible opportunities in the outdoors are important to you?”

Application deadline: We begin reviewing applications and requesting interviews on May 26, 2023, and applications received by this date will be guaranteed consideration. The position will remain open until filled.

To apply, submit your cover letter and resume to our Submittable portal.