General Manager Opportunity at ARTA River Trips

Fall 2019

The American River Touring Association, known as ARTA, was founded in 1963. ARTA offers exceptional whitewater rafting trips on majestic rivers of the West. ARTA is a non-profit whitewater rafting company conducting trips on 16 different rivers in four different western states. Trips vary in length from one day to twelve days.

• ARTA has a family culture. It prides itself on being the friendliest rafting company in the world.

• ARTA’s Mission is to appreciate, educate, and donate.

• The metrics ARTA uses to define success are: safety, guest satisfaction, guide happiness and, lastly, financial success.

ARTA is seeking a new General Manager to start in the Fall of 2019. The General Manager must be committed to ARTA’s core values.

The current headquarters are in Groveland CA, not far from Yosemite National Park and near the put-in for the Tuolumne River. The office may be relocated depending on the needs of the new GM.

Overall, ARTA’s General Manager understands and appreciates the following tenets:

• Worry more about next year than next week.

• Employee satisfaction is part of the bottom line.

• Growing the customer base is key, but it's not worth compromising the product to do it.

• Working hard to hire well makes every other problem easier

• Plan for the worst but expect the best from yourself, your employees, your guests, and your company.

• Manage the business as a business and the team as a team.

• Set the tone and maintain the culture.

The GM will be responsible for all the unforeseen and obvious surprises and twists that come with running a small business that is at the mercy of the natural environment and dependent on discretionary income while relying on passionate, young, part-time, seasonal employees. This requires wisdom, flexibility, humility, self-sacrifice, and unwavering optimism and enthusiasm. The successful GM will be so self-aware that they will be able to yield full authority, retain full responsibility, and still sleep well at night.

The GM reports to ARTA’s Board of Directors (currently 12 members) and meets with them in person two times per year.

Application deadline to apply is August 1st.

Job Description -- General Manager/Executive Director

We're looking for a charismatic and multi-talented leader to oversee ARTA's present and craft ARTA's future.

Description: This is a full-time executive position that reports directly to the Board of Directors, listens and responds to the passionate field staff, and is responsible for all aspects of a multi-state whitewater rafting outfitter with revenues in excess of one million dollars.

Overall: (big picture) - You will be the chief decision maker for all of ARTA and have most of the authorities and responsibilities of ownership. You will define the culture, set the tone, and have the opportunity to shape what the company looks, sounds, and feels like. You will develop long-term strategies and solve immediate problems. Along with these responsibilities, you'll also have plenty of advice, support, and scrutiny. You will be the caretaker of ARTA's mission.

Administrative – You will be responsible for the day-to-day function of the ARTA office including reservations, bookkeeping, accounting, and government permitting procedures. These duties require accuracy, familiarity with basic accounting practices, and the ability and willingness to do clerical tasks.

Financial – You will be responsible for ARTA’s fiscal health and will safeguard and manage its holdings (including cash, permits, real estate, operational, and personnel assets). This requires planning skills, people skills, and comfort making big strategic decisions.

Operations – You will be responsible for the safety of ARTA’s guests, the delivery of ARTA’s trips, and the contentment of ARTA’s guides as well as ARTA’s compliance with government regulations and ARTA’s interactions with fellow outfitters. These duties require maturity, leadership, diplomacy, and charm.

Marketing – You will be responsible for the ARTA brand and for all of ARTA’s sales and promotional efforts including website management, social media presence, print and online advertising, direct and email marketing, video development, and all other publicity channels. This requires creativity, self-direction, and exemplary communication and collaboration skills.

Essential Requirements

• College Degree

• Experience with all aspects of wilderness expedition travel

• Experience and demonstrated success with small business management or ownership

Bonus Requirements

• Whitewater guiding experience

• Top level marketing and sales experience

• Non-profit experience

• Accounting and budgeting experience

Desired traits and skills: Leadership, communication, trustworthiness, vision, innovation, teamwork, organization, humor, resilience, and perseverance along with a strong foundation and a gentle touch.

To apply: email the search committee at arta.search@gmail.com with your cover letter and resume by August 1.