Retreat Leader 

Commitment

This job is a seasonal, part-time employment (not an independent contractor) between with travel year-round, but mostly between February and November. The work involves 5 to 10 weeks of travel on fixed dates, both internationally and domestic, as well as computer time from home on a flexible schedule. In the months leading up to each retreat, you will spend 5 to 15 hours doing at-home office work (phone, email and Zoom calls) finalizing travel details for yourself and the group. You must be available to attend the 2024 staff retreat, February 26 - March 1, 2024.
The job start date for the upcoming season is February 2024.

Job Description

You are a confident leader, someone who inspires trust and exudes confidence when speaking in front of large groups. You are not only an experienced tour leader, you understand how interact kindly yet firmly with travel vendors to get your group's needs met.

While you are a fit and healthy runner, that is not the primary reason you are well suited to this position. The main thing that qualifies you for this work is your ability to tune in to the needs and mood of a group as well as the individuals within it to make judgments about what will create the best possible guest experience. You intuitively understand how to offer support to individuals who need it while also giving attention to those who don't. You know what it means to "hold space" that make other comfortable enough to share openly and honestly because you are able to be open and honest about your experiences and how they relate to the mindful running curriculum.

Interpersonal skills are your strength; you are skilled at bringing a group of strangers together, helping everyone feel welcome and included in all social situations.

You are exceptionally good an organization and self-management. You are always on time or ahead of schedule so that you can be available to clients who need extra help getting themselves organized. You always plan a few steps ahead and can anticipate how one change in the itinerary can affect subsequent scheduled activities and deadlines. You are a conscientious leader, respectful of our partners' time and efforts to do their jobs well, but are also unafraid to respectfully call out those partners' failures to meet our expectations, especially when those mistakes or shortcomings affect our clients' travel experiences.

Responsibilities 

• Lead 5 to 8 international and domestic running retreats of 4 to 12 days each per year (plus travel days).
• Work with the operations manager to review, confirm, refine itinerary details, timing and flow.
• Participate in pre- and post-retreat meetings with Run Wild Retreats staff (virtual meetings)
• Teach clinics on mindful running technique and philosophy per the proprietary curriculum. 
• Lead retreat opening and closing meetings for each retreat
• Organize and review all client/group travel documents, client intake forms and other documents.
• Manage the retreat itinerary, working with local guides, drivers and other suppliers to follow the timeline as closely as possible.
• Support clients during the guided runs, offering extra attention, support and care to any who are struggling 
• Work with running guides to manage runner safety as per the Risk Management Plan and the company's emergency response policies and health and safety protocols.
• Be clients' "go-to" person for any questions or issues that arise at any time.
• Manage retreat budget and expenses.
• Above all, be accommodating, approachable, friendly, helpful and fun!
• Submit post-trip report, expense report, receipts, and accident reports 

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 to 5 years' experience in active or adventure tour leadership.
• Have a proven track record in group workshop/sharing circle facilitation
• Have strong public speaking skills
• Experience and passion for travel
• Experience pacing or supporting runners in an event is highly favorable.
• Experience, certification or training is some area of health and wellness, such as mindfulness, meditation run, coaching, stress management, yoga or other.
• A second language is not required, but is favorable.
• You must have your laptop computer (for at-home office work) and mobile phone. 
• Must be a U.S. resident for tax purposes. Preference is given to Colorado residents. 
• Must have a valid passport 

 Physical Requirements

This job involves working in a wide range of outdoor conditions, including rain, snow, cold and hot conditions. This job involves long-haul travel and sitting on airplanes and buses for many hours at a time. It also involves running up to 10 miles per day (most days average around 5 - 7 miles) and occasionally hiking, running and sleeping at high elevations (up to 13,000 feet in some places). This job requires carrying weights of up to 30 lbs. 

Travel

Run Wild Retreats covers work-related travel expenses such as flights, meals (subject to per diem limits), taxis, car hires, etc. to and from retreat destinations during a working season. Leaders may extend their stay in the retreat destination to explore at their leisure, or may choose to stopover in desired locales en route to/from retreat destinations.

Key Performance Indicators

• Retreat NPS scores
• Guest transformational travel scores
• Customer Reviews and feedback 

Wage + Benefits

• Daily rate for days spent leading trips and traveling. Earning potential and opportunities to lead year-round grows in a leader's second year and beyond.
• Hourly wage for office hours (5 - 15 hours per month)
• Meal per diem on travel days (going to/from retreat destination)
• All flights, lodging, meals, transportation, group activities, guided runs are covered while you are leading retreats
• Mindful leadership training and ongoing professional development