SOLO Education Manager

Overview 

For 48+ years NOC has led the outdoor industry, taking more guests whitewater rafting and teaching more paddlers than any other outdoor recreation company. NOC also provides top-quality aerial and trail-based adventures, wilderness medicine as well as unmatched retail service, foodservice, lodging, and trip planning services. Behind NOC's success is our staff’s commitment to our five core values: Lead by Example, Service Before Self, Do the Right Thing, Work Hard/Play Hard and Make it Happen. These core values unite a community of leaders and pioneers in an exciting, fun and always changing work environment.  

 NOC career opportunities offer a rare combination of work in beautiful locations, a chance to grow skills and to share a passion for active outdoor recreation. Ideal candidates are leaders in the workplace that wish to join a unique, values-driven organization. They aspire to excellence in their fields and disciplines and they demonstrate a commitment to the service of others. Above all, they want to provide guests with unforgettable experiences. If this sounds like you, we hope you'll apply to join the NOC team.   

 Job Summary:  

 The SOLO Southeast Manager will be directly responsible for the overall leadership, growth, and operational excellence of NOC’s SOLO Southeast wilderness medicine and survival education programs. This role oversees program delivery, instructor workforce development, and accreditation compliance while driving strategic expansion into new markets and course locations. 

The Manager will build and lead a high-performing instructor team, ensure consistent delivery of curriculum, and identify opportunities to grow enrollment, geographic reach, and program offerings. This role serves as the primary liaison with accrediting bodies and plays a key role in shaping the future of wilderness medicine education at NOC.  

The position requires off-site travel. The Manager could be expected to research and attend appropriate conferences and promote NOC’s full suite of businesses and locations. The Manager is responsible for the guest facing side of NOC’s Wilderness Medicine and Survival department as well as the program management and staff training side.

Key Responsibilities

Program Leadership & Operations

• Oversee all aspects of wilderness medicine and survival course delivery, including scheduling,logistics, and execution
• Ensure consistent, high-quality program delivery across all locations
• Instructcoursesat each level, includingtravel to off-site courses.
• Continuously evaluate and improve operational systems, processes, and guest experience
• Maintainappropriate inventory, equipment, and classroom resources
• Track student feedback and provide meaningful feedback to instructors and make course adjustments whereappropriate.

Team Leadership, Development and Culture

• Recruit, hire, onboard,expandandretaina high-quality instructor team
• Build scalable systems for instructor training, evaluation, and advancement
• Manage instructor scheduling andutilizationacross programs and locations
• Maintain instructor certifications, compliance, and personnel records
• Foster a culture of professionalism, continuous improvement, and instructional excellence
• Coordinate instructor career progression andidentifycontinuing education and training opportunities
• Conduct performance evaluations and provide ongoing feedback
• Ensure adherence to NOC’s core values, policies, and procedures
• Maintain a safe, inclusive, and high-performing work environment

Growth & Expansion

• Lead the strategic expansion of wilderness medicine programs into new geographic markets and delivery formats
• Identify, develop, and launch new course locations beyond NOC’s primary campus
• Partner with Sales and Marketing to drive enrollment growth and develop new programming
• Build partnerships with universities, outdoor programs, search and rescue organizations, and other key stakeholders

Accreditation & Compliance

• Serve as the primary liaison with accrediting organizations and regulatory bodies
• Ensure all programs meet or exceed accreditation and industry standards
• Lead accreditation reviews, audits, and reporting processes
• Maintain compliance with state and national requirements for EMT and wilderness medicine programming

Financial & Business Management

• Own departmental budget, forecasting, and financial performance
• Evaluate and implementcostreduction and control without diminishing service quality 
• In season, run weekly key performance indicators for the department to determine how each area is functioning to both guest experience and financial expectations 
• Ensure all payroll is controlled, accurate, and submitted on time 
• Collaborate on long-term planning and capital investments with senior leadership

Interdepartmental Communication

• Partner with Group Sales to understand client needs and deliver high-quality group experiences
• Work closely with Marketing and Sales teams to ensureaccurateprogram representation and communication
• Collaborate with HR on recruiting, hiring, and staff development
• Work with other departmental Managers where appropriate to ensure proper communication across the NOC 
• Participate in leadership team meetings and contribute to organizational strategy

Qualifications and Education

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experiencerequired
• Healthcare or wilderness medicine-related certificationrequired,WEMTor higher

Experience

• 5+ years of leadership experience withdemonstratedoperational andfinancial responsibility
• 2+ years of experience in wilderness medicine, outdoor education, or related fieldrequired
• Experience managing distributed teams, instructors, or field staff
• Familiarity with accreditation processes, compliance, or regulatory environments preferred

Skills & Competencies

• Strong leadership and team development skills
• Strategic thinking with the ability to execute operationally
• Excellent organizational and project management abilities
• Strong communicationand interpersonal skills
• Proficiencywith Microsoft Office and web-based systems (reservation systems, LMS platforms, etc.)

Additional Information

• This role requires periodic travel to course locations, conferences, and partner sites
• The responsibilities listed are intended to describe the general scope of the position and may evolve based on business needs

The above noted description is not intended to describe, in detail, the multitude of tasks that may be assigned, but rather to provide a general sense of the responsibilities and expectations of the position.  As the nature of business demands change, so too may the essential functions of the position. 

The above noted job description is not intended to describe, in detail, the multitude of tasks that may be assigned but rather to provide a general sense of the responsibilities and expectations of this position. As the nature of business demands change, so too may the essential functions of this position. 

  
The Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC) is dedicated to the principles of equal employment opportunity in any and all terms, conditions or privileges of employment including hiring, promotions, termination, training and compensation. The NOC does not discriminate against applicants or employees on the basis of age, race, sex, color, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic condition or any other status protected by federal, state or local law, where applicable. Furthermore, the NOC is committed to a work environment free of discrimination and harassment through respecting and valuing the diversity among employees and all those with whom the NOC does business.