Trek

Description:

Location: New York City or Stamford, CT (must have US work authorization)

Travel: Up to 50% travel both in the US and to buildOn partner countries

Salary: $85,000-$95,000

buildOn is a global nonprofit that unites people through service and education to ignite opportunity (buildon.org). Service builds leaders. We mobilize communities in low-income countries to build schools. American youth transform their own communities through service and change the world by helping build these schools.

The Opportunity: The Trek Director leads buildOn’s immersive international service-learning program – Trek. buildOn Trek, which is rooted in solidarity, brings U.S. students and buildOn supporters together with underserved communities to build a school. The program is thoughtfully designed for participants to immerse in a rural community while exploring buildOn’s Constructive Leadership Principles, which include:  Courage, Empathy, Passion for the Possible, Resilience, and Solidarity.

The Trek Director oversees the full lifecycle of Trek experiences, from participant recruitment and pre-Trek preparation to the in-country Trek experience and post-Trek support and reflection.  

The Trek Director leads a highly skilled global team across multiple countries to ensure Trek participants have a transformational experience rooted in service, solidarity, cultural humility, and safety. 

The ideal candidate is an experienced leader who can balance strategic planning with operational execution, relationship-building, participant engagement, and risk management. Strong communication, cross-cultural competency, and attention to detail are essential.

This position requires frequent international travel and the ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends during Trek seasons.

Key Responsibilities

• Trek Program Leadership & Operations: Oversee the full planning, execution, and evaluation of buildOn Trek programs, ensuring experiences are impactful, well-organized, and aligned with buildOn's mission and service-learning model. Embed Constructive Leadership principles throughout the Trek experience in partnership with a cross-departmental taskforce. Work with the Operations Team to launch and maintain buildOn's participant preparation portal for seamless Trek onboarding. Utilize post-Trek participant surveys to drive continuous program improvement.
• Safety & Risk Management: Ensure the safety of all Trek participants by training staff in risk management protocols and maintaining active partnerships with International SOS, the U.S. Department of State, and other risk-management partners. Coordinate emergency response protocols and serve as the primary point of accountability for participant safety across all in-country Trek experiences.
• Staff Leadership & Development: Lead a team of U.S.-based Trek staff and globally distributed Trek professionals, providing coaching, feedback, and support to ensure Trek experiences are consistently high-quality. Conduct regular field audits and foster a culture of continuous improvement and Constructive Leadership development across the Trek team.
• Partnership with Development: Partner with the Fundraising team on the Trek schedule for donors, managing logistics and experiences for high-profile individuals. Represent the Trek department with donors in meetings and at special events, serving as a key ambassador for the program.
• buildOn U.S. Student Recruitment & Preparation: In partnership with buildOn U.S. leadership, lead recruitment efforts to increase the number of buildOn high school students who participate in Trek, with particular emphasis on the Bronx. Lead a team of Trek Specialists to facilitate participant onboarding, orientation, preparation sessions, and pre-Trek training. Develop curriculum rooted in Constructive Leadership principles to ensure a transformational Trek experience for all participants.
• Financial Management & Administration: Develop and manage Trek budgets, monitor program expenses, and track participation metrics and operational data. Ensure compliance with organizational policies, travel requirements, and international protocols. 
• Cross-Departmental Collaboration: Partner across departments, including Development, Marketing, Finance, Programs, and Operations, to align Trek programming with broader organizational goals and ensure Trek's visibility and impact are reflected in buildOn's storytelling and fundraising.

Qualifications

• Deep commitment to buildOn's mission, values, and youth-centered service-learning model.
• Bachelor's degree required.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in international program management, youth development, service-learning, or a related field, with a track record of leading student travel or immersive service programs.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex, multi-region projects and logistics across diverse teams and stakeholders.
• Strong leadership, communication, and relationship-building skills, with the ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.
• Cross-cultural competency and experience working in international settings.
• Calm under pressure with sound judgment in risk management and emergency decision-making.
• Highly organized with exceptional attention to detail.

Requirements: