Director of Mission Programs

About National Western

National Western is a heritage-driven organization with more than 120 years of history, dedicated to strengthening American agriculture through education, youth development, and community connection. Guided by the principles of courage, pride, integrity, grit, and loyalty, it showcases the Western way of life through the annual National Western Stock Show, a major Western lifestyle, rodeo, and livestock event that attracts visitors from around the world. In addition, the organization operates The Legacy, a year-round Denver destination for events, cultural experiences, and community engagement.

Role Summary

The Director of Mission Programs will lead the planning, launch, and day-to-day management of year-round mission-focused programming inside the Legacy Building. This position is responsible for creating meaningful agriculture education, Western heritage, youth, and community programs that strengthen the organization’s mission. The role also connects programming to strategic goals, partnerships, and revenue opportunities, while working collaboratively across departments to deliver engaging experiences for the public.

This position reports to the President & CEO.

Mission Program Development

• Create and run a broad annual programming plan centered on agriculture education, industry engagement, youth leadership, Western heritage, cultural experiences, and public community outreach.
• Coordinate with the International Committee and international visitors during the National Western Stock Show.
• Build relationships with commodity groups, agriculture promotion organizations, Colorado State University, junior colleges, and similar partners to support public and private programming at The Legacy.
• Advance youth leadership and educational initiatives.
• Support Western heritage and cultural experiences, including the World Heritage Center and Women of the National Western events such as Cowgirls & Cocktails.
• Design programming that connects rural and urban communities.
• Ensure all activities remain aligned with the organization’s mission and strategic direction.
• Oversee scholarship development, including direct supervision of one staff member and close coordination with the Donor Development Department.

Event and Program Management

• Organize and oversee a varied schedule of mission-based programs and events.
• Manage educational workshops, seminars, agriculture and industry programming, youth camps, leadership programs, school partnerships, and cultural or heritage experiences.
• Handle operational details such as scheduling, vendor coordination, staffing, and on-site execution.
• Work with internal teams to deliver programs at a high standard.
• Maintain a year-round calendar that supports all mission-related initiatives.

Partnership Development

• Build and sustain partnerships with agricultural organizations, industry leaders, educational institutions, cultural groups, community organizations, and nonprofits.
• Work with universities and K-12 programs as part of the partnership network.
• Use partnerships to broaden the reach and impact of programming.

Revenue and Sustainability

• Create income-generating opportunities through ticketed programs and sponsored events.
• Partner with sponsorship and development teams to secure funding for mission programs.
• Balance mission impact with the financial viability of programming.

Cross-Department Collaboration

• Partner with agriculture, marketing, sponsorship, and development teams to support broader organizational goals.
• Help connect Legacy programming with National Western Stock Show initiatives and year-round campus activity.
• Coordinate with operations and guest services to deliver a strong visitor experience.

Community Engagement and Outreach

• Position National Western as a leading regional and national destination for agriculture learning and Western heritage.
• Create outreach strategies that reach schools, families, and the wider community.
• Support inclusive and accessible programming that helps diverse audiences connect with agriculture and Western culture.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture, Education, Event Management, Nonprofit Management, or a related discipline.
• At least 3–5+ years of experience in program development, education, event management, or agriculture-related programming.
• Proven ability to manage several programs or events at the same time.
• Experience developing partnerships and working with community or industry stakeholders.
• Prior exposure to agriculture, Western heritage, or youth education programming is preferred.

Key Competencies

• Program design and strategic planning
• Event coordination and execution
• Relationship building and partnership management
• Strong communication and teamwork
• Mission-focused leadership

Work Environment

This is an in-person role based in Denver, Colorado. The schedule requires flexibility to support evening and weekend programming throughout the year. Although some regular hours will exist, timing may shift frequently depending on event needs. Early mornings, late nights, and weekends should be expected, and candidates must have open availability. During Stock Show, team members are typically on-site every day for 12 to 16 hours.

Compensation and Benefits

This is a full-time salaried, exempt position. Pay starts at $85,000 per year and may vary based on experience.

• Partial employer-paid medical, dental, vision, and life insurance for the employee; family coverage is available at group rates.
• Voluntary coverage options include Accident, Critical Illness, Short-Term Disability, and Hospital Indemnity.
• Long-Term Disability is fully paid at 100%.
• Paid sick leave and vacation time are included.
• A competitive 401(k) retirement plan is available once plan eligibility requirements are met.

Additional Conditions

• The employer enforces a drug- and alcohol-free workplace with zero tolerance, including marijuana.
• Employment offers are contingent upon successful completion of a criminal background check.
• The posting closes on 06/26/2026, though it may remain open until filled.