Senior Director of Experiences

Location: Hybrid - Golden, CO (Remote considered)

FLSA Code: Exempt

Compensation: $84,000 - $98,000

The Senior Director of Experiences leads the American Alpine Club’s Experiences program area and is responsible for building a distinctive national Experiences program that brings people together, creates meaningful value for members, strengthens connection across the climbing community, and expands participation in the AAC.

Reporting to the Deputy Director, the Director develops and leads the AAC's Experiences strategy in alignment with organizational priorities. This position is accountable for translating the AAC's direction and program ambitions into compelling experiences, strong execution, sustainable growth, and measurable results. The Director brings the creativity, entrepreneurial thinking, operational discipline, and leadership necessary to develop new opportunities, strengthen existing programs, and establish Experiences as a defining part of the

AAC's value to members and the broader climbing community.

The Experiences program includes the many ways the AAC can bring people together — from major gatherings and events to mentorship, trips, retreats, and new forms of participation still to be developed. The opportunity extends beyond any individual event or existing program, and this role will shape the growth and evolution of Experiences–building the partnerships, systems, and operating model necessary to deliver high-quality programs nationally.

As the Senior Director of Experiences, your responsibilities include:

• Build and Grow the Experiences Program: Translate AAC priorities into a clear annual plan for Experiences and recommend multi-year direction to the Deputy Director. Develop a strong mix of programs that serve members, engage the broader climbing community, and create new ways for people to participate in the AAC. Identify opportunities for new experiences, test promising ideas, strengthen successful programs, and recommend disciplined decisions about where the AAC should invest, grow, or change course based on participant and member interest and organizational priorities. Establish clear program priorities and implementation plans that balance creativity, participant value, operational capacity, financial sustainability, and mission impact. Work collaboratively with Membership, Communications, and other departments to strengthen program visibility, participation, and ongoing engagement.
• Create and Deliver Exceptional Experiences: Lead programs from concept through successful delivery and establish a consistently high standard for the participant experience. Ensure the team has clear plans, budgets, timelines, staffing, partners, logistics, communications, and operating systems necessary to execute well. Build repeatable models that allow the AAC to deliver high-quality experiences across locations and formats while retaining authenticity and a strong connection to climbing culture. Oversee the successful execution of major programs and events, ensuring appropriate preparation, coordination, problem-solving, and follow-through. Continuously improve program design and delivery based on participant feedback, staff insight, performance data, and evolving community needs.
• Expand Participation and Demonstrate Impact: Grow participation and recurring participation, deepen member engagement, reach new audiences, and create stronger pathways into ongoing involvement with the AAC. Establish clear measures of success across participation, repeat engagement, member value, audience growth, financial performance, participant experience, and mission impact. Track and utilize results and participant insight to inform recommendations.
• Build the Experiences Team and Resources to Scale: Build, lead, and coach a high-performing team with the creativity, program expertise, and operational strength required to grow a national program. Establish clear roles, responsibilities, expectations, and accountability for staff and program collaborators. Develop scalable workflows, planning processes, vendor relationships, partnerships, and systems that support consistent execution and program growth. Develop and manage the Experiences budget, including program expenses, earned revenue, pricing, financial projections, and resource allocation. Build financially sustainable program models that balance accessibility, participant value, mission impact, and revenue opportunities. Evaluate staffing, infrastructure, and investment needs, bringing forward recommendations that support responsible growth and long-term program success.
• Build Partnerships and Connect the AAC: Develop and maintain strong relationships with athletes, speakers, guides, venues, sponsors, community organizations, industry leaders, and other collaborators who can make AAC Experiences stronger and more distinctive. Ensure external partnerships and program collaborations reflect the AAC's mission, values, and standards. Use Experiences as a connective point across the organization, creating meaningful opportunities for Membership, Advancement, Media, Lodging, Library & Archives, Grants & Awards, and other AAC work to reach and engage climbers.
• Lead with Quality, Judgment, and Responsibility: Establish strong standards for program quality, participant safety, accessibility, operational readiness, and risk management. Ensure appropriate systems are in place for emergency planning, insurance and waivers, risk management, incident response, and other programmatic elements. Exercise independent judgment in program development, operational decisions, resource allocation, and problem-solving within established organizational priorities and approved budgets. Maintain strong communication with the Deputy Director regarding program performance, emerging opportunities, significant risks, resource needs, and major decisions. Bring forward significant strategic, financial, staffing, or investment decisions requiring Deputy Director or Executive Director approval.
• Additional Duties: As assigned by the Deputy Director.

A strong candidate will have:

• 5+ years of progressively responsible experience leading experiences, events, festivals, outdoor programming, cultural programming, membership programs, or other participant-centered work, including 3+ years supervising staff, contractors, and volunteers while establishing accountability and repeatable systems.
• A demonstrated track record of creating, growing, or revitalizing programs from concept to delivery, bringing entrepreneurial judgment to build new initiatives within an established organization rather than solely administering legacy activities.
• The ability to translate high-level organizational direction into clear operational plans, pairing strong creative instincts with exceptional operational discipline and attention to detail.
• Strong project management skills, including the ability to oversee multiple complex programs, timelines, and stakeholders simultaneously across diverse locations.
• Proven experience developing and managing program budgets, including earned revenue, pricing strategies, sponsorship, and resource allocation.
• Demonstrated ability to measure program performance and use data, participant feedback, and financial results to guide strategic decisions.
• Practical experience applying rigorous standards for participant safety, operational risk, emergency planning, and program readiness.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a strong record of building external partnerships and effectively representing an organization to members, sponsors, and community leaders.
• A deep understanding of the climbing and outdoor adventure community, familiarity with film and media festival or cultural event production, and a strong commitment to the mission and culture of the American Alpine Club.
  

Environment

• 75% Desk work – Typical program development, planning, management, and administrative work using Google Workspace, Slack, Zoom, Asana, program and event systems, and other computer-based programs.
• 25% Travel and programs – This position requires regular travel by car and plane for AAC experiences, partner meetings, site visits, staff gatherings, and organizational activities. Evening and weekend work will be required in connection with major programs and events. Physical activity may be required in outdoor and event environments.

Benefits

The AAC currently offers a comprehensive benefits package including employer-paid medical (with reproductive and gender-affirming care), HSA, dental, vision, life, AD&D insurance, short- and long-term disability insurance, a wellness program, a matching 401k retirement plan, flexible work scheduling, pro deals, generous paid time off, and bonding leave. Benefits are reviewed annually and changed as needed. Team members are notified when any benefit changes occur.

How to Apply

All who love the AAC mission are encouraged to apply, including people of color, Black, Indigenous, transgender, and non-binary people. Apply online. No phone calls or emails, please. Cover letters are required. Applicants will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

 
The AAC is an equal-opportunity employer. Your gender, religion, sexual orientation, skin color, first language, marital status, and body size and ability do not factor into employment decisions here.
If you love our mission and are good at what you do, come as you are.

A note about applying: our position descriptions outline general needs for a role, but these are not set rules. If you meet more than two-thirds of the suggested skills, we encourage you to apply. Include any applicable experience, both paid and volunteered, that helped you build these competencies.

About the AAC
Founded in 1902, the American Alpine Club (AAC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to providing climbers with resources that advance knowledge, inspiration, and advocacy. Through our rescue benefit and medical expense coverage, climbing and grief grants, campgrounds, and discounts, we are committed to empowering our members. We share knowledge and inspiration through the American Alpine Journal, Accidents in North American Climbing, and preserving climbing history in the AAC Library and Archives. Finally, we advocate for our members and the places we climb by breaking down barriers to climbing and seeking to preserve our climbing landscapes and public lands nationally and locally. At the AAC, we are connected through our passion for climbing. United We Climb.