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  JOB DESCRIPTION — TRAIL RACE DIRECTOR

Position: Race Director – Trail Events
Status: Part or Full-Time available
Reports to: Events and Locations Director

Basic Function

The Race Director is responsible for the planning, preparation, and successful execution of RF Events races, with a primary focus on trail and off-road events.

For assigned trail events, the Race Director will serve in a leadership role, taking ownership of event planning, course development, logistics, volunteer coordination, setup, race-day execution, and post-event wrap-up.

For RF Events' road races, triathlons, and other non-trail events, the Race Director will serve primarily in a support role, working under the direction of the lead Event Director and assisting with event preparation, logistics, setup, race-day operations, and teardown as needed.

This is a hands-on position combining event management, course development, logistics, volunteer coordination, administrative responsibilities, and race-day operations. The position assumes many of the event preparation and coordination responsibilities previously performed by the Events Administrator while placing a greater emphasis on field operations, course management, and leadership of RF Events' trail event portfolio. The current Events Administrator position similarly includes company-wide event preparation and support responsibilities that will continue to be part of this position. 

Characteristic Duties & Responsibilities-Trail Event Leadership

• Serve as the lead Race Director for assigned RF Events trail and off-road races.      
• Take ownership of assigned trail events from initial planning through post-event wrap-up. 
• Develop event plans, timelines, staffing needs, equipment requirements, and race-day logistics. 
• Coordinate with parks, property owners, municipalities, vendors, and other event partners. 
• Lead staff and volunteers during event setup, race day, and teardown. 
• Identify operational challenges and make decisions necessary for the safe and successful execution of assigned events. 
• Attend Trail groups to promote the events. 

Course Management & Logistics

• Develop, map, measure, and maintain race courses. 
• Plan course flow, aid stations, marshal locations, access points, equipment placement, and other course infrastructure. 
• Mark courses using signs, flags, tape, cones, arrows, and other appropriate materials. 
• Inspect courses before events and identify potential safety, access, or logistical concerns. 
• Coordinate course setup and ensure markings and equipment are removed following events. Including training and assigning volunteers.
• Maintain accurate course maps and related documentation. 

Non-Trail Event Support

• Serve as a member of the event operations team for RF Events road races, triathlons, and other non-trail events. 
• Work under the direction of the Event Director responsible for those events. 
• Assist with equipment preparation, loading, transportation, setup, registration, course operations, participant services, teardown, and other event needs. 
• Be willing to fill a variety of roles based on the needs of each event. 
• Work collaboratively with RF Events staff to help ensure consistent execution across the company's entire event calendar. 

Event Operations & Administration

• Prepare, organize, load, transport, set up, and break down event equipment. 
• Drive company vehicles and trucks with trailers as needed. Previous trailer experience is preferred, but training can be provided for the right candidate. 
• Coordinate signage, supplies, registration materials, and event equipment. 
• Assist with travel, transportation, lodging, and other arrangements for destination events. 
• Maintain organized event files, maps, checklists, schedules, and planning documents. 
• Assist with participant communications, registrations, transfers, refunds, and general event administration as needed. 

Volunteer Coordination

• Recruit, organize, communicate with, and manage event volunteers. 
• Develop volunteer assignments and instructions. 
• Provide clear direction and leadership to volunteers before and during events. 
• Maintain positive relationships with volunteers, venues, community partners, vendors, participants, and fellow staff. 

Qualifications & Skills

• Previous event management, race directing, race operations, recreation, or related experience preferred. 
• Trail running, endurance event, outdoor recreation, or course-management experience is a plus. 
• Strong organizational and logistical planning skills. 
• Ability to lead independently when responsible for an event while also working effectively in a supporting role when another Event Director is leading.      
• Ability to manage projects, deadlines, and multiple events simultaneously. 
• Comfortable working outdoors for extended periods in varying weather and on uneven terrain. 
• Experience driving trucks and trailers preferred, or a willingness and ability to learn. 
• Ability to lift and move 50 pounds and perform the physical work associated with event setup and course marking. 
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills. 
• Ability to effectively lead and work with volunteers. 
• Comfortable using computers and common office technology; Google Drive/Google Workspace experience preferred. 
• Valid driver's license and ability to safely operate company vehicles. 
• Must be available to work weekends, including early mornings and occasional extended event-day hours. 
• Must be willing and able to travel, including occasional overnight and multi-day trips. 

Work Environment & Expectations

This is not a traditional Monday-through-Friday desk position. RF Events' schedule is driven by its events. Weekend work, early mornings, outdoor work, travel, and physically demanding event days are an essential part of the position.

The successful candidate must be equally comfortable taking charge of a trail race and rolling up their sleeves to support another Race Director at a larger RF Events event. Teamwork and flexibility are essential; job responsibilities will vary considerably depending on the event and time of year.

The employee must be able to work on trails and uneven terrain, load and unload equipment, repeatedly enter and exit vehicles, stand or walk for extended periods, and lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.

This job description does not state or imply that these are the only duties to be performed. Additional responsibilities may be assigned based on the needs of RF Events. This maintains the flexibility built into the current Events Administrator description. 

RF Events is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with applicable ADA requirements.

Email Trevor@rfevents.com to apply