Expeditions & Operations Officer - Remote (UK-based)
Outspark Ltd
Location: Expeditions + Home based
Salary: £28,000 to £30,000 DOE
Closes: 31/10/24
Expeditions & Operations Officer at Outspark
Job Description and Person Specification
Hours: Full-time with a 6 month probationary period, 225 days per year - (roughly 50/50 split between expedition delivery and home-based admin). Option and flexibility for some unpaid leave for a period over the Winter if required.
Location: Remote (UK-based) with travel to expedition sites; storage for kit at home between expeditions. The majority of our expeditions are in the South and East of England.
Salary: £28,000 to £30,000 per annum (depending on experience) + 35 days annual leave
Closing date: 5pm, 23 November 2025
Interviews: In person, week commencing - 8 December 2025
Start date: 2 March 2026
About Outspark
We are Outspark, and for over 18 years we’ve been helping schools take the stress out of running Duke of Edinburgh Award expeditions. Our founder, a former teacher and Scout Leader, set up Outspark to prioritise the quality of young people’s experiences. We’re a mix of outdoor professionals, youth workers, and teachers who enjoy working together to deliver expeditions that challenge young people to step up and grow.
We’re now looking for someone to join our friendly, dynamic team, contributing ideas, taking the lead when needed, and helping shape how we deliver adventures, all while having fun and developing your own skills.
The Role
This is an exciting new role at the heart of Outspark’s growth, combining hands-on expedition leadership with home-based operational support. Most of your spring, summer and early autumn will be spent in the field leading DofE expeditions, managing routes, safety, and a team of experienced staff. You’ll take responsibility for expedition kit, maps, and first aid, including storing and maintaining them at home between trips, and act as Duty Officer on rotation, liaising with staff, parents, and clients.
During the quieter winter months, the focus shifts to planning and admin. You’ll support bookings, communications, finance, website updates, marketing, and resource management. It's a dynamic and varied role, perfect for someone who thrives on juggling priorities, problem-solving, and helping shape the future of outdoor adventure for young people.
Who We’re Looking For
We’re looking for someone who genuinely loves being with young people and has a passion for learning, adventure, and outdoor leadership. You’ll be experienced in leading expeditions, able to manage routes, staff, and groups of young people safely, while creating memorable and challenging experiences.
You’ll be fun, engaging, and professional, bringing energy and creativity to the role while maintaining a clear focus on safety and the quality of participants’ experiences. You should be highly organised, resilient, and adaptable, thriving in dynamic situations and confident juggling multiple priorities. Attention to detail, problem-solving skills, and a self-driven, focused work ethic are key. You’ll be happy to travel frequently, work evenings, weekends, and bank holidays as needed, and maintain a positive attitude even when the weather or circumstances are challenging and yes, when 30 Yr10s are cooking in the rain!
Above all, we’re looking for someone motivated to make a real difference to young people’s experiences, bringing their expedition leadership skills to a friendly, supportive team helping Outspark grow and deliver memorable DofE adventures.
Essential Skills & Qualifications
- Hill and Moorland Leader (HML)
- Proven experience leading DofE expeditions and outdoor education programmes
- Experience working with young people (teaching, youth work, coaching)
- First Aid qualification
- Full driving licence and access to a vehicle
- Current enhanced DBS (or willing to gain)
- Confident communicator across multiple channels and audiences
- Strong teamwork and leadership skills
- Excellent multitasking, time management, and calmness under pressure
- Able to follow and champion policies and procedures
- Competent with Microsoft Office, Google Drive, Gmail, OS mapping
- Experience in programme planning, delivery, and organising complex logistics
Desirable Skills & Qualifications
- Mountain Leader (Summer) qualification
- DofE Assessor / Supervisor
- Teaching or youth work qualification
- Safeguarding and inclusion training
- Other outdoor activity qualifications
- Marketing and customer engagement skills
- Experience with CRM databases
- Website building and maintenance
- Comfortable being the front person at events and speaking to large groups
- Experience managing kit, maps, and expedition resources
- Experience leading freelance or volunteer staff
- Sales and marketing experience
Why You’ll Love It Here
This role offers a unique opportunity to have a tangible impact on young people’s lives, combining expedition leadership with operational responsibility. You’ll work in a supportive, collaborative, and flexible team, where no two days are the same. You’ll gain hands-on experience in expedition management, operations, and administration, all while helping shape the future of a growing organisation. The hybrid working structure allows you to balance home-based planning with the excitement and reward of fieldwork, giving you variety, autonomy, and responsibility.
Who This Role May Not Suit
If your style leans toward the commanding “sergeant-major” approach, barking orders instead of inspiring others or if you see working with young people as a necessary compromise to avoid an office job, this probably isn’t the right fit for you.
How to Apply
To apply, please send a CV and a cover letter (or personal statement) to Alex at [email protected], explaining your relevant experience, skills, and why you’re a great fit for this role. If you’d like an informal conversation about the role before applying, you’re very welcome to email Alex at the same address to arrange a call.
See the job role on our website: www.outspark.co.uk/jobs
We’re humans hiring humans, all applications will be read personally, not by AI!