Director of Mission Programs

Description

Director of Mission Program

National Western | Denver, CO

About National Western

We are National Western—an organization rooted in more than 120 years of history and driven by a mission to strengthen American agriculture through education, youth development, and community connection. We are stewards of the Western way of life, grounded in the values of courage, pride, integrity, grit, and loyalty. Each January, we bring this mission to life through the legendary National Western Stock Show—one of the world’s premier Western lifestyle, rodeo, and livestock entertainment events—welcoming hundreds of thousands of guests from across the globe. Beyond the Stock Show, we operate The Legacy, a world-class, year-round destination for events, experiences, and cultural connections in the heart of Denver. We are more than an event—we are a brand that lives at the intersection of heritage and culture, shaping how Western lifestyle shows up in the modern world.

Position Summary

The Director of Mission Programs is responsible for the development, implementation, and management of year-round mission-driven programming within the Legacy Building. This role advances the mission of the National Western Stock Show by delivering impactful agriculture education, Western heritage experiences, youth programming, and community engagement initiatives. The Director will activate mission-driven programming for agriculture, education, and cultural programming by curating a diverse calendar of events and experiences that connect the public to the Western way of life. This position works cross-functionally to align programming with organizational priorities, partnerships, and revenue opportunities.

Reports to: President & CEO

What You'll do

These duties include, but are not limited to:

Mission Program Development

• Develop and execute a comprehensive year-round programming strategy focused on:
• Agriculture education and industry engagement, including working with the International Committee and international guests during the National Western Stock Show. 
• Engage with various commodity groups, agriculture promotion groups, Colorado State University, junior colleges, and others to support public and private events in The Legacy.
• Youth leadership and educational programs 
• Western heritage and cultural experiences, including the World Heritage Center and Women of the National Western events like Cowgirls & Cocktails
• Public engagement and community programming specifically to connect rural and urban communities. 
• Ensure all programming aligns with the mission and strategic priorities of the organization. 

Oversee Scholarship Development, including management of 1 staff member, program development, and new opportunities. This will work closely with the Donor Development Department. 

Event & Program Management

• Plan and manage a diverse calendar of mission-driven events, including:  
• Educational workshops and seminars 
• Agriculture and industry programming 
• Youth camps, leadership programs, and school partnerships 
• Cultural and Western heritage experiences 
• Oversee logistics including scheduling, vendor coordination, staffing, and on-site execution. 
• Partner with internal teams to ensure high-quality program delivery. 
• Develop a comprehensive year-round calendar of activities and programs to support all mission-driven initiatives. 

Partnership Development

• Establish and maintain partnerships with: 
• Agricultural organizations and industry leaders 
• Educational institutions (including universities and K-12 programs) 
• Western heritage and cultural groups
• Community organizations and nonprofits 
• Leverage partnerships to expand programming reach and impact. 

Revenue & Program Sustainability

• Develop revenue-generating opportunities through ticketed programs and sponsored events. 
• Collaborate with sponsorship and development teams to secure funding for mission programs. 
• Balance mission delivery with the financial sustainability of programming. 

Cross-Department Collaboration

• Work closely with agriculture, marketing, sponsorship, and development teams to align programming with broader organizational goals. 
• Support integration of Legacy programming with National Western Stock Show initiatives and year-round campus activities. 
• Coordinate with operations and guest services to ensure a high-quality visitor experience. 

Community Engagement & Outreach

• Position the National Western as a regional and national destination for agriculture education and Western heritage. 
• Develop outreach strategies to engage schools, families, and the broader community. 
• Promote inclusive and accessible programming that connects diverse audiences to agriculture and Western culture. 

Requirements

Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture, Education, Event Management, Nonprofit Management, or a related field. 
• 3–5+ years of experience in program development, education, event management, or agriculture-related programming. 
• Demonstrated experience managing multiple programs or events simultaneously. 
• Experience building partnerships and working with community or industry stakeholders. 
• Knowledge of agriculture, Western heritage, or youth education programming preferred. 

Key Competencies

• Program development and strategic thinking 
• Event planning and execution 
• Partnership and relationship management 
• Communication and collaboration 
• Mission-driven leadership 

Work Environment

This position requires flexibility to support evening and weekend programming and events throughout the year. This is an in-person position located in Denver, Colorado. While this position will have some set hours, schedules are likely to change on a regular basis based on the needs of upcoming events. Early mornings, late nights, and weekends are all to be expected. Candidates must have open availability and be willing to work at various hours to complete the primary functions of this role. Like almost all NWSS team members, this position will need to be on-site every day during Stock Show, typically for 12-16 hours at a time

Compensation and Benefits

This is a full-time salaried/exempt position.

• Compensation for this position will start at $85,000 annually, depending on experience.
• Full-time employees qualify for partial paid Medical, Dental, Vision, and life insurance for the employee; family coverage is available at group rates.
• Voluntary benefits, including Accident, Critical Illness, Short-Term Disability, and Hospital Indemnity.
• 100% paid Long-Term Disability.
• Paid sick leave and vacation time.
• Upon meeting plan qualifications, a competitive 401(k) retirement plan is available.

WSSA/NWSS is a drug and alcohol-free employer with a zero-tolerance drug policy, including marijuana.

WSSA/NWSS is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity.

All offers are contingent on the successful completion of a criminal background check

Job Posting Close Date

06/26/2026; open until filled