Ghost Ranch seeks a highly organized manager to join our team. This new position oversees the operations and staff of museums, tours, and the library, ensuring that thousands of visitors each year experience high-quality educational tours and activities.
Working closely with the Director of Experience & Social Impact, who sets the programmatic vision, this role brings that vision to life—supporting a team of tour guides, museum staff, and volunteers in delivering well-run experiences.
The Manager is responsible for scheduling public and private tours, managing tour guides and museum staff, coordinating school field trips, and ensuring a positive guest experience.
Ghost Ranch is a historic, mission-driven retreat and education center set on 21,000 acres in the high desert of Northern New Mexico. We welcome visitors from near and far to experience awe, connection, and transformation.
Many visitors are first drawn to Ghost Ranch because of their interest in Georgia O'Keeffe, the renowned 20th-century artist who lived and painted here for decades. Our O’Keeffe Landscape Tour is a fan favorite, bringing to life the painted desert through an artist's eyes. Ghost Ranch is also a world-renowned site for Triassic paleontology, famous among scholars and amateur paleontologists. Our two museums and library invite exploration—from dinosaurs to ancient cultures to contemporary Indigenous art.
Responsibilities
Administration
Plan the schedule and logistics for group tours, daily tour offerings, high school and university tours, and other related events in a yearly calendar.
Serve as the primary contact for all school group inquiries and coordinate school field trips with appropriate staff of several departments.
Manage the online tour booking platform.
Handle email inquiries and correspondence for tours and museums, including cancellations and refunds.
Coordinate logistics with private tour groups of all sizes, including over 50 people. This includes booking tours via the online booking system and troubleshooting individualized needs.
Help ensure tour vehicles, museums, and library spaces are clean, welcoming, and well maintained. Coordinate with Facilities and Housekeeping teams as needed.
Monitor weather and road conditions and communicate any needed schedule changes.
Coordinate with various departments such as Events/Experiences if meals or workshops are requested as part of the tour experience.
Prepare monthly income reports, assess budget needs, and keep accurate records.
Team Management
With guidance from the Director of Experience & Social Impact, recruit and train tour guides and museum staff.
Manage staff, including job expectations, coaching, feedback, and performance evaluations. This team currently includes three tour guides, two museum staff, and a rotating cadre of volunteers.
Uphold quality and accuracy of information provided by staff and volunteers.
Schedule full-time, part-time, and seasonal staff according to the demands of the year.
Work with the Ghost Ranch Volunteer Coordinator to assess upcoming museum and library needs. Schedule and train volunteers to cover shifts.
Partner with HR other managers to support a positive and successful staff experience.
Lead Tours and Activities
When needed due to schedule or staffing changes, step in to lead a public tour, including but not limited to: the Georgia O'Keeffe Landscape Tour, the Ghost Ranch History Tour, Museums and Landscapes Tour, or the quarry walk for the Paleontology Tour (more detailed descriptions available on the Ghost Ranch website).
Drive a 14-passenger tour bus or a 10-passenger van while narrating the tour.
When needed, assist staff in running activities during student field trips, summer youth programs, or special events in the museums.
Essential Qualifications
Excellent planning and organizational skills. Demonstrated experience scheduling complex calendars. Minimum of two years experience.
Demonstrated success managing staff and volunteers. Minimum of three years experience.
Strong computer skills. Able to navigate computer booking systems, generate reports, issue refunds, etc. (Knowledge of Retreat Guru and FareHarbor systems is a plus.)
Calm, steady, and solution-orientated when unexpected challenges arise.
Flexible and adaptable, with the ability to respond creatively to changes in tour logistics, guest needs, or inclement weather. Spring and Fall are particularly busy with private groups that may present delays and schedule changes.
Clear, engaging verbal communication skills, with comfort speaking to groups of diverse backgrounds.
Strong written communication skills, with the ability to respond promptly and clearly to guests and partner organizations.
Valid driver's license with at least three years of driving history and a clear record.
Willing and able to work outside. While this is primarily an indoor administrative role, when assisting with tours or museum activities, one must be able to endure summer heat and rain, spring winds, and winter snow.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience as a tour guide and tour scheduler.
Past experience working in museums, tours, or educational institutions.
Knowledge of nonprofit operations.
Knowledge of Georgia O’Keeffe, modern art, local history, geology, paleontology, or related fields.
Position Details
The Museums, Tours, and Library Manager reports to the Director of Experience & Social Impact and serves on the management team. This is a full-time exempt (salaried) supervisory position with a target hiring range of $50,000–55,000. The role requires on-site work at Ghost Ranch in Abiquiu, NM.
Ghost Ranch offers a generous benefits package including medical insurance, retirement savings, and student loan assistance. Staff receive paid time off, holidays, and opportunities for community service. Lunch is provided daily in our Dining Hall, and staff are encouraged to participate in one Ghost Ranch workshop each year at no cost.
To apply, submit resume and cover letter via the website: www.ghostranch.org/get-involved
Ghost Ranch is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or any other protected category.
