Barn Operations Manager

The Barn Operations Manager is responsible for the daily management of barn operations, volunteer coordination, supply ordering, and the overall health, safety, and well-being of all horses and other animals on site. This is a hands-on leadership role that requires strong equine knowledge, sound judgment, and a commitment to high standards of animal care. The Barn Operations Manager is required to live on site and will serve as a key point of response for daily needs and animal-related emergencies. 

Schedule: Monday - Friday, at minimum, based on Company needs

Compensation: $70,304.00 a year, dependent on experience.

Barn Operations, Inventory, & Facility Oversight 

• Responsible for maintaining ranch operational budget and identifying cost-saving opportunities. 
• Manage day-to-day barn and ranch operations, including feeding, turnout, stall care, cleaning schedules, and readiness of horse and animal areas. 
• Maintain open communication with Property Owner, Tenants, Horse Owners, and Facilities Team to ensure all operations are upheld in accordance with standards and policies. 
• Order, receive, and track inventory of hay, grain, bedding, supplements, medications, and operational supplies. 
• Maintain barns, paddocks, tack rooms, storage areas, fencing, and related equipment in safe and serviceable conditions. 
• Ensure all tacks, grooming tools, and helmets are in good condition and working order. 
• Coordinate routine facility maintenance with the Facilities Team and communicate repair needs promptly to ensure a safe environment for animals, volunteers, and staff. 

Animal Health & Daily Care 

• Determine and direct the daily care of all horses and other animals, ensuring needs for feed, water, turnout, shelter, and overall well-being are met every day, including weekends, evenings, and holidays. 
• Monitor animal health closely; identify illness, injury, or behavioral concerns; administer basic treatments and medications as needed.  
• Coordinate veterinary and farrier care and carry out recommended treatment plans.  
• Report to designated Board members on all animal health and daily care, per expected timeline.  
• Maintain accurate health, feed, medication, and care records for all horses and animals. 
• Develop and oversee feeding, supplement, blanketing, grooming, and turnout routines appropriate to each animal. 
• Maintain barns, paddocks, tack rooms, storage areas, fencing, and related equipment in clean condition. 
• Ensure each horse is prepared to delivery high quality, medical grade equine movement to its fullest capacity as predetermined/pre-approved by the Board of Directors. 
• Serve on the horse acquisition committee, and ensure all horses are onboarded and offboarded within Company policy.  

Staff & Volunteer Management  

• Recruit, hire, and properly onboard all Ranch employees by ensuring equipment, access, and training materials are prepared prior to start dates, in collaboration with HR.  
• Recruit, coordinate, schedule, train, and support volunteers to support program needs. 
• Maintain adequate support staff within employees and volunteers.  
• Provide clear direction, reinforce safe and effective horse handling practices, and ensure volunteers and Equine Specialists carry out daily expectations and assignments. 
• Assist, develop, maintain, and implement training and onboarding programs to properly onboard new employees. Ensure employees are proficient and meet standards based on graded assessments/competencies, according to the established timeline. 
• Help create a positive, respectful, and mission-aligned environment for volunteers, staff, and visitors. 
• Communicate effectively with leadership, service providers, and team members regarding animal care needs, supplies, scheduling, and operational priorities. 
• Lead by example through dependable, hands-on participation in daily barn work and animal care responsibilities. 
• Provide daily leadership that fosters an engaged, collaborative, and high performing team. 
• Ensure staff have the tools, materials, and guidance needed to perform at a high level and deliver exceptional care and meet their established goals. 
• Conduct effective routine check-ins, coaching, and performance discussions to reinforce quality, professionalism, and accountability. 
• Oversee and approve schedules, staffing coverage, time off requests, and adjustments needed to support steady program operations. 
• Promote a positive, inclusive culture that prioritizes teamwork, communication, and shared commitment to the mission. 

Administration & Managerial: 

• Prepare weekly and monthly reports and deliver to designated Board members or Directors. 
• Holds appropriate weekly and monthly meetings with support staff and Leadership. 

Safety, Risk Management & Compliance 

• Promote and enforce safe horse handling, barn procedures, and emergency response practices at all times 
• Ensure compliance with applicable animal care standards, medication protocols, and facility safety requirements.  
• Identify and address risks related to horse health and ability to work, facility conditions, supplies, and daily operations.  
• Maintain organized records and support readiness for inspections, reviews, or internal oversight as needed. 

What Success Looks Like 

• Horses and other animals are healthy, ready to work, and produce high quality medical grade movement, and are well cared for, and consistently supported by reliable daily routines. 
• Become a subject matter expert on all established SOP’s, and develop, train, and execute new SOPs as situations arise.  
• The ranch is organized, clean, safe, and prepared for day-to-day operations, in collaboration with the Facilities Team. 
• Supplies are well managed, ordered on time and within approved budget, and available when needed. 
• Volunteers are trained, supported, and contribute effectively to barn operations. 
• Animal health concerns and facility issues are proactively identified early and addressed promptly. 
• Stays current on trends, evidence and research as related to duties. 

• Preferred Associate or bachelor's degree in Equine Science or related field.  
• Must be available to work on flexible schedules, including weekends, evenings, and holidays. 
• Proven experience in leadership capacity.  
• Proven experience in horse care, barn operations, and monitoring animal health and  
• Experience coordinating or leading volunteers, staff, or barn support teams. 
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage inventory, schedules, records, and competing priorities. 
• Ride with preferred formal training in dressage, western pleasure, and other acceptable riding styles. 
• Confidence handling horses safely and responding calmly and effectively in urgent situations. 
• Ability and willingness to connect, hook-up, hitch a gooseneck and bumper pull trailer and proficient at loading horses in and out of trailer, and driving freeway distances with truck and trailer.  
• Demonstrate a positive attitude, professional conversational and written skills, and enjoy working with families and patients. 
• Proficient in the use of MSWord, QuickBooks, Excel, Outlook, and Salesforce.  
• Ability to work independently and within a team. 
• Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously and manage one's own time appropriately. 
• Demonstrate the ability to act in a professional manner and maintain competency in a fast-paced work environment. 
• Maintain a professional and organized appearance of the department. 
• Must be able to lift, push, pull, carry, and move up to 40-50 lbs. 
• Ability and willingness to move around the treatment area and facility, including climbing stairs, bending down, and traversing uneven surfaces.  
• Ability and willingness to perform repetitive movements, such as reaching, bending, and twisting. 
• Ability and willingness to respond quickly and safely to clients' needs and movements during treatment. 
• Ability to maintain a high level of physical stamina during long treatment sessions and/or full workdays. 
• Ability and willingness to work effectively in a fast-paced and dynamic environment, with the ability to adapt to unexpected changes and challenges. 
• Ability and willingness to work in a standing or seated position for extended periods of time. 
• Ability to perform physically demanding work, including lifting supplies, cleaning stalls, and working outdoors in varying weather conditions 
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation 
• Ability and willingness to live on site as a condition of employment.