Activities Director

Employer:        Turner Enterprises Management, LLC
position:          Activities Director
Location:         Vermejo, A Ted Turner Reserves
Type:               Full Time / Salary Exempt / Benefits-Eligible
Housing:          Yes

Ted Turner Reserves, (TTR) is a hospitality brand grounded in conservation with a mission to connect people with nature by providing one-of-a-kind outdoor luxury experiences in a transformational environment. 

At Vermejo, the largest property in the TTR collection, we steward one of the most ecologically rich landscapes in North America — from alpine tundra to desert grasslands. This role is a rare opportunity to lead in one of the most ambitious privately-led conservation and hospitality efforts on Earth, where nature is not just preserved — it is restored, shared, and celebrated.

Vermejo’s leadership team is currently seeking an Activities Director who can lead a team to exceed guest expectations of service at Vermejo. 

ABOUT THE POSITION
While reporting to the Vermejo General Manager of Hospitality, the Activities Director will be responsible for leading all aspects of the Activities Department including, Activities Leadership Team, Guides, Barn Operations, Activities Maintenance Staff, and Activities Attendants. 

You will also be responsible for: 

Strategic Leadership

• Supervise personnel, including hiring, training, performance reviews and discipline.
• Display a commitment to caring for the team and providing a quality experience for guests.
• Instill Ted Turner Reserves’ hospitality values — authenticity, storytelling, stewardship, and warmth — in every team member.
• Evaluate individual and team readiness for deployment, ensuring compliance with all operational and service standards.
• Build bridges between the Activities department and all other departments.

Training and Development

• Develop and manage a training program for all new hires to reflect educational experiences and handle ongoing training. Ensure all employees are fully trained before independently performing on the job.
• Ensure all employees are trained to safely operate equipment necessary to carry out tasks in the Activities Department including, but not limited to, chainsaws and UTVs.
• Coordinate any necessary emergency training with Vermejo Fire/EMS, including, but not limited to, Fire Department, CPR/First Aid, Wilderness First Responder.
• Collaborate with the Director of Sustainability and Hunt Operations to develop skill set amongst qualified personnel for game barn, drag crew, and hunt guiding tasks.
• Develop growth for supervisors and staff on your team.

Operations and Scheduling

• Responsible for the day-to-day operations, including but not limited to the team personnel, guided activities, inventory management, fish house operations, and overall maintenance of Activities Department spaces.
• Maintain the highest level of Guest Services. Be alert, friendly, and able to assist guests with politeness and promptness.
• Responsible for all Activities staff hiring, training, payroll, and administration for the department.
• Work with the Reserve Ambassador department to help them effectively build guest itineraries that achieve the highest level of guest satisfaction in accordance with Activities staff skill set.
• Work the Activities Manager on Duty shift in the evening to be able to coordinate changes in activities and accommodate guest requests to coincide with skill set of activities staff.
• Work closely with the staff and assist in daily tasks as needed.
• Oversight of asset management, along with the Activities Asset Coordinator, to ensure proper care of motor vehicle fleet, equipment, trails, and other non-personnel assets within the activities department.
• Become proficient in Intelligenz, Vena, Concur, ADP and Stampli to be able to assist with scheduling, payroll, complete expense reports, process and/or approve invoices, track and analyze revenue and expenses, and complete any necessary reports.
• Take responsibility for the guests and staff with the Assistant General Manager in the absence of the General Manager.
• Responsible for invoices and monthly expense reports.
• Work with Activities Leadership Team to ensure schedules are accurate and effective, to include, but not limited to, scheduling of guided activities, support staff for self-guided guests, fish house operations, weekly happenings, guest transportation, Activities maintenance projects, lake attendant shifts, and other cross-departmental support projects.
• Communicate road and building maintenance needs with Ranch Operations staff when necessary for the success of the operation.
• Work with Hunt Operations to schedule adequate support for both Hunt and Activities Department tasks during hunt seasons.
• Continuously monitor forecasting tools to determine personnel and inventory needs to accommodate guest activities.
• Collaborate with the Vermejo Natural Resources Department to stay current on Vermejo conservation efforts and circulate accordingly new information to the Activities team to ensure accuracy.
• Communicate new developments to the Marketing team for inclusion in all marketing materials.
• Achieve financial targets by assisting with the creation of and adhering to budget for revenues and expenses.
• Lead guided activities with guests as needed.

Deployment and Service Excellence

• Lead the team in the field as a hands-on department head throughout the year.
• Deliver guest experiences that reflect Turner’s philosophy of “friend, not butler” service — refined yet personal, comfortable yet exceptional.
• Ensure every deployment achieves the highest operational standards in guest accommodations and engagement.

Reporting and Continuous Improvement

• Meet with the General Manager weekly in one-on-one meetings.
• Complete monthly report for the Activities Department and submit to the General Manager.
• Submit payroll biweekly.
• Continuously refine SOPs, training manuals, and logistics systems to improve efficiency, quality, and guest satisfaction.
• Meet deadlines for all tasks and reports that are assigned.
• All other duties as assigned by General Manager.

YOUR QUALIFICATIONS

• Essential:
  • Proven experience leading an outdoor activities operation with an emphasis on education.
  • Strong leadership, mentorship, and organizational skills with the ability to manage remote teams.
  • Expertise in logistics, scheduling systems, and operational planning.
  • Expertise in Microsoft Office applications and ability to learn new software pertinent to the operation.
  • Exceptional communication skills and confidence engaging directly with high-end guests.
  • Ability to adapt to remote and dynamic environments, traveling frequently between properties.
  • Deep understanding of hospitality excellence grounded in authenticity and purpose.
• Preferred:
  • 3+ years of experience in hospitality management, operations, or experiential travel.
  • Field-guiding or luxury resort management background.
  • Familiarity with Ted Turner Reserves’ properties and conservation mission.
  • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience in Hospitality Management, Operations, or related field.

YOUR QUALITIES
You are professional, grounded, and people-focused. You thrive in dynamic environments that demand leadership, flexibility, and genuine care for others.

 You:

• Inspire confidence and camaraderie in your team.
• Demonstrate warmth, grace, and storytelling in every guest interaction.
• Lead with humility and precision — setting a standard of calm under pressure.
• Are proactive, resourceful, and committed to continuous improvement.
• Value purpose and believe hospitality can transform people and places alike.

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS & PERKS
The Company offers full time employees an elite benefits package, including medical dental and vision insurance, basic life insurance, short term disability, 401(k) plan with matching contributions, paid time off and paid holidays.   

ACCOMMODATIONS
This position will require you to live at Vermejo headquarters, located approximately 40 miles from the closest town (Raton, NM). Vermejo’s location is approximately 4.5 hours’ drive south of Denver or 4.5 hours’ drive north of Albuquerque.

Vermejo offers a variety of company-provided housing, including single- and double-bedroom dorm style housing, travel trailer, and single family homes.  All housing is assigned based on availability and business needs.  

You will need to provide or arrange for your own transportation to and from Raton for personal supplies.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS & WORK ENVIRONMENT
On a regular basis, you can expect to:

• Stand; sit; walk; move hands and fingers; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and talk or hear.
• Lift and/ move up to 50 pounds regularly, 75 pounds frequently, and up to 100 pounds occasionally
• Work in both indoor and outdoor environments, including exposure to variable weather conditions.

Outside of travel, the work environment is a blend of an office setting with use of computers and phones as well as outdoor activity.  You will often be exposed to outside weather conditions including extreme cold and extreme heat. The noise level in the work environment is usually low.

The physical demands described above are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this job, and the work environment characteristics are representative of those you may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  Accommodation inquiries must be made to the Company’s Human Resources Department for consideration.

Turner Enterprises Management, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a Smoke Free/Drug-Free Workplace.

For more information, visit https://www.tedturner.com/about/career-opportunities-2/.