CHASTAIN HORSE PARK

SEARCH FOR THE THERAPEUTIC PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Atlanta, Georgia

 

THE SEARCH

Chastain Horse Park, one of Southeast’s premier, nonprofit equestrian facilities, seeks a seasoned strategic leader to serve as its next Therapeutic Program Director. Reporting to the Executive Director and managing a robust team of staff and service providers, the Director will oversee the planning, execution, and ongoing growth of Chastain Horse Park’s acclaimed therapeutic offerings, which include Therapy, Horsemanship, and Equine Assisted Learning services. The ideal candidate will be an experienced Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship (PATH) International Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor (CTRI), and will possess extensive knowledge of equine-assisted therapeutic programming, a deep understanding of industry best practices, management experience, and the vision and strategic know-how to further build upon Chastain Horse Park’s strategic plan, resulting in expanded impact throughout the years to come.

 

THE ORGANIZATION

 

For nearly 25 years, Chastain Horse Park’s purpose and mission has been to empower individuals of all abilities through life-changing relationships with horses. As the only PATH International Premier Accredited Center in metro Atlanta, Chastain Horse Park offers therapeutic programming to children, teens, and adults with physical, cognitive, and emotional disabilities, as well as riding lessons and boarding services to the broader public. In a typical year, Chastain Horse Park conducts more than 5,000 therapeutic sessions with the assistance of more than 1,500 volunteer hours every month.

 

Situated on an expansive 15-acre campus, Chastain Horse Park is one of only two remaining urban horse parks in the nation – a rare and vital gem in the heart Atlanta. The organization recently completed a transformative $10M expansion of its facilities and infrastructure, including an 18,000-square foot Therapeutic Horsemanship Center complete with educational spaces, a physical therapy clinic, volunteer lounge, professional offices, 37 stalls, and more. The expansion also included a new covered arena with a lift system, additional paddocks, and a Community Barn in support of the Boarder Program. These significant campus updates have positioned Chastain Horse Park to expand the breadth of its therapeutic programming, all while meeting the evolving needs of the community.

 

For more information regarding Chastain Horse Park, please visit www.chastainhorsepark.org and the Chastain Horse Park Vimeo.

 

THE ROLE

 

The Therapeutic Program Director will oversee Chastain Horse Park’s full suite of therapeutic programming, inclusive of Therapy, Horsemanship, and Equine-Assisted Learning services. Spurred by the organization’s recent capital updates, Chastain Horse Park is entering an exciting new chapter – one defined by innovation, growth, and expanded impact. In this pivotal moment, the Director will have the opportunity to shape the future of the organization’s therapeutic offerings, leveraging the organization’s newly-enhanced facilities to serve more individuals in meaningful and life-changing ways.

 

As a key facet of the role, the Director will serve as a hands-on member of the Chastain Horse Park leadership team, guiding, managing, and mentoring a 11-person team of on-staff professionals and contract employees. The Director will play a critical part in overseeing daily operations of all therapeutic programming, developing new CTRI, Advanced CTRI, and Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning (ESMHL) professionals, strengthening both the capacity and expertise of the Chastain Horse Park team. Importantly, the Director will also foster strong, durable relationships with a wide range of external stakeholders, including clients, volunteers, donors, and community partners.

 

Driven by a commitment to operational excellence, the Director will build upon the existing, and long-standing, high standards for safety, impact, and client satisfaction within the Therapeutic Program. With a strategic eye on both performance and financial health, the Director will actively monitor program outcomes and financial metrics, partnering closely with the Executive Director to align programming with Chastain Horse Park’s broader mission and long-term vision. This is a key leadership role with the opportunity to shape not just how the Therapeutic Program functions, but how it thrives – now, and in the future.

 

THE CANDIDATE

The most competitive contenders for the Therapeutic Program Director role will possess a solid combination of the following qualifications, traits, and experiences:

 

• A PATH International CTRI certification is required; an Advanced CTRI credential is highly desired.
• A successful track record of five (5) or more years of PATH International therapeutic programming leadership experience serving a diversity of riders and patients.
• A minimum of seven (7) years of hands-on horse experience resulting in a solid understanding of horse behavior, risk identification and mitigation, and general health/welfare.
• A passion for building relationships with families, team members, business partners, clients, and more.
• Experience in a leadership or supervisory role, preferably in a nonprofit, therapeutic, or educational setting.
• Exceptional communication and active listening skills, with the ability to connect authentically with diverse stakeholders.
• Basic financial acumen, with the ability to manage budgets, interpret key performance metrics, and contribute to strategic decision-making.
• A steadfast commitment to PATH safety standards, combined with a focus on creating positive and engaging experiences for all program participants.
• Confident and solution-oriented, with the ability to navigate challenges and make sound decisions in a fast-paced, mission-driven setting.
• A passion for the mission of Chastain Horse Park; a fervent commitment to inclusivity and accessibility.

 

LOCATION, COMPENSATION, AND BENEFITS

 

Salary for the position is commensurate with experience. Chastain Horse Park offers a competitive benefits package, including 100% paid healthcare insurance for full-time employees. The Therapeutic Program Director must be located in, or willing to relocate to, the metro Atlanta area.

 

TO APPLY

Chastain Horse Park is partnering with The Bedrock Group to identify the organization’s next Therapeutic Program Director. Applications, including a resume and cover letter; nominations; and/or inquiries should be directed, in confidence, to Brinkley Serkedakis, at [email protected]. No calls, please.

 

Chastain Horse Park is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.