Programming Director - Equine Therapy - MS

This growing, multidisciplinary equestrian facility just across the border from Memphis, Tennessee, is seeking a Therapeutic Program Director to help bring an ambitious new vision to life. Operating under a 501(c)(3) mental-health foundation, the facility plans to develop comprehensive mounted and unmounted programming for children and adults with physical, developmental, behavioral, and mental-health needs, as well as veterans and individuals in addiction recovery.

The facility is already well into development, featuring 50 acres, three outdoor arenas, an indoor arena under construction, a 12-stall pole barn, and a competition barn in the works. This is a supportive, mission-driven organization looking for someone who shares the team's compassionate spirit and excitement for building something meaningful.

Working under the overall Equestrian Director, the Therapeutic Program Director will design, fund, launch, and manage the facility's therapeutic programming. We are willing to entertain a variety of therapeutic certifications including PATH, CTRI, EAGALA, and others - and the Founder is willing to support this individual in any training/certification needed to fulfill their overall vision. This is a position for someone who is experienced, established, and knows how to build a therapeutic program from the ground up. This individual will collaborate closely with the Founder, Equestrian Director, Stable Manager, finance team, and community partners to build sustainable mounted and unmounted services.

This role will not oversee general stable operations, horse care, facility maintenance, or the broader equestrian staff. Instead, it will focus on program development and delivery, grant writing, fundraising, community partnerships, and management of professionals working within the therapeutic program.

Program Design and Execution

• Design and implement mounted and unmounted programs serving individuals with physical, developmental, behavioral, and mental-health needs, including children, veterans, and individuals in addiction recovery.
• Develop participant eligibility, intake, scheduling, documentation, safety, and outcome-measurement procedures.
• Evaluate program effectiveness and recommend new or expanded services based on community needs, available funding, and organizational capacity.

Fundraising and Financial Development

• Research funding opportunities and prepare grant applications, program narratives, budgets, renewals, and impact reports.
• Collaborate with the Founder and finance team to develop sustainable program budgets, scholarship opportunities, and funding strategies.
• Cultivate relationships with donors, foundations, corporate sponsors, and other potential funding partners.

Collaboration and Community Partnerships

• Work with the Equestrian Director and Stable Manager to coordinate appropriate horses, facilities, scheduling, equipment, and equestrian support for each program.
• Develop partnerships and referral relationships with schools, veterans' organizations, healthcare providers, disability organizations, recovery programs, and behavioral-health professionals.
• Represent and promote the therapeutic program through community outreach, presentations, donor events, and educational opportunities.

Therapeutic Team Management

• Recruit, onboard, schedule, and manage counselors and other professionals working specifically within the therapeutic program.
• Establish consistent expectations for documentation, confidentiality, participant communication, safety, and professional boundaries.
• Ensure all personnel work within their education, training, credentials, and professional scope, including appropriate clinical supervision when required.

Program Administration

• Track participation, outcomes, revenue, expenses, grant requirements, and other program performance indicators.
• Provide regular reports and recommendations to the Founder, Equestrian Director, and finance team.
• Maintain accurate, confidential program records and ensure compliance with organizational policies and applicable requirements.

• Minimum five years of relevant experience in nonprofit programming, behavioral health, disability services, therapeutic horsemanship, equine-assisted services, education, fundraising, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience developing or managing programs, writing grants, fundraising, and collaborating across departments or community organizations.
• Strong leadership, communication, budgeting, documentation, and relationship-building skills.
• Understanding of confidentiality, professional boundaries, vulnerable populations, and the distinction between equine-assisted activities and licensed clinical treatment.
• Collaborative, open minded teamwork and leadership style conducive to operating a therapeutic program adjacent to for-profit competitive riding disciplines.
• Relevant degrees, clinical credentials, or therapeutic horsemanship certifications are welcomed but not required - support in place to gain additional certifications and training as needed.