Wheaton Creek Ranch: Ranch Managing Director Couple

Who We Are

Wheaton Creek Ranch (WCR) is a family-owned working ranch that has been managed primarily for wildlife for more than thirty years. We offer our retreat facilities to the public as well as all inclusive services for hunting for elk, deer, antelope, and bear. We care about sustainable ranching, ethical hunting, and thoughtful conservation.

Our wild, natural habitat is situated in the beautiful Sangre de Cristo Region of Northern New Mexico. The area teems with wildlife, stretching over 37,000 acres (15,000 private and 22,000 State Trust) in the Rocky Mountains. Aside from the ranch's vast beauty, we have facilities and cottage industries that support our community, including cattle ranching, hunting, forestry, lumber milling, lodge and room rentals, retreats, camping and more.

We are a community of people who value remote living in the natural world. We are committed to living in harmony with each other and the abundant plant and animal life here. Our values include, but are not limited to, Sustainability, Humility, Community, Honesty, and Responsibility. As we’re growing our team/community, we’re seeking folks who not only share these values but are also positive, hard-working, team players. 

What You’ll Do

We’re excited to welcome a new full-time Managing Director Couple into our Wheaton Creek Ranch community!

As a couple, you will play a pivotal role in overseeing all aspects of our operations, aligning activities with the founder's vision and ensuring the achievement of long-term goals. This position requires, above all, excellent self-awareness in terms of skills and limitations, strategic thinking, operational expertise, financial acumen, team building and team management skills, a commitment to environmental stewardship and guest satisfaction, as well as a positive can-do attitude. Key responsibilities will be divided up amongst the couple, leaning on each of your strengths in your contribution.

Responsibilities will be shared between you as a couple, allowing each of you to contribute based on your strengths. In addition to leadership and oversight, this is a hands-on role, working alongside the Ranch Manager and team on various projects. Depending on the ranch’s needs, you’ll contribute to tasks such as fencing installation and repairs, building maintenance, equipment and vehicle upkeep, and trail development and maintenance. 

This is a year-round, full-time role for both applicants.

Key Responsibilities

As a Managing Director Couple, you will leverage your combined skills, experience, and strengths to oversee the financial and operational health of the ranch. You will be responsible for ensuring both the business and community aspects of the ranch thrive. Together, you will delineate responsibilities to ensure seamless operations while cultivating a positive experience for staff, volunteers, and guests.

Shared or distributed responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Business Leadership & Financial Oversight: Lead and oversee all aspects of ranch operations with a focus on financial sustainability and long-term success. Ensure sound business decisions that drive profitability, cost efficiency, and growth. Strong financial acumen is essential, including budget management, financial reporting, and strategic planning. Accounting experience is a plus.
• Collaborate with Owner/Founder: Implement the owner’s vision, values, and priorities, ensuring alignment across all aspects of the business.
• Hunting Business Management: Maintain and grow the ranch’s established, high-quality hunting business, ensuring exceptional client experiences. Oversee hiring, training, and management of key staff, including guides, mechanics, chefs, and housekeeping.
• Retreat Business Development: During the off-season (February–August), build beyond our one-month spring turkey hunt program and summer self-guided prairie dog hunts to include other programs for a successful spring and summer retreat business. This includes marketing, booking, staffing, and operational oversight to create a premier guest experience.
• Ranch Operations Oversight & Support: Lead and collaborate with the Ranch Manager to ensure effective day-to-day operations. Provide leadership, accountability, and hands-on support as needed. You’ll actively contribute to projects such as fencing, equipment maintenance, trail development, and building upkeep, ensuring the ranch runs smoothly and efficiently.
• People & Culture Leadership: Oversee all aspects of staffing and volunteer engagement to foster a strong, values-driven culture. Responsibilities include hiring, onboarding, training, and ensuring a positive employee and volunteer experience. Create an environment where staff and volunteers feel valued, motivated, and aligned with the ranch’s mission.
• Team Building & Community Management: Cultivate a thriving, engaged team by developing a positive work environment and ensuring the well-being of those living and working on the ranch. Uphold high standards of professionalism, teamwork, and hospitality.

Who You Are

• You have proven experience in a leadership role overseeing a team of staff to carry out business operations, preferably in the ranching, outdoor recreation industry, or development of property and/or businesses.
• You’re excited to live on our remote ranch as a positive and cooperative member of our Wheaton Creek Ranch community.
• You have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build positive relationships and effectively lead a diverse team.
• You represent Wheaton Creek Ranch and its founder, David Stanley, positively, promoting the ranch’s mission and values.
• You work for the greater good of our collective community, lending a helping hand around the ranch when needed.
• You’re able to meet the physical and environmental demands of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

 Qualifications: These qualifications can be fulfilled across the couple.

• 5+ years experience managing effective teams
• 5+ years experience managing successful business operations
• Proficient financial acumen
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, strategic, and critical-thinking skills
• Exceptional organizational skills
• Clean driving record and valid driver’s license
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds
• Construction and construction management knowledge and experience, preferred
• Experience in livestock management, preferred
• A minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent (GED) is required for this position

What You’ll Get

We know that great people make a great ranch, and we want to take care of the people who step into this vital leadership role. In addition to paying a competitive salary for this role, we’ve created a generous benefits package that include: 

As our Managing Director Couple, you’ll collectively receive:

• Full Housing Provided: A private, comfortable home on the ranch, fully covered.
• Paid Utilities, Including Wi-Fi: No monthly bills for electricity, water, or internet.
• Simplified Employee Pension (SEP) IRA max contribution: Helping you plan for the future.
• Paid time off: Paid time off during non-hunting seasons.
• A True Ranch Lifestyle: Work in a breathtaking, remote setting with wide-open spaces, fresh, clean  air, and abundant wildlife. You’ll have access to 37,000 acres of wilderness for personal recreation, including mountain biking, hiking, camping, as well as possible hunting and/or guiding opportunities
• A Close-Knit Community: Be part of a dedicated team that values hard work, stewardship, and collaboration.
• A Role with Impact: Play a key leadership role in shaping the future of the ranch while working alongside the Ranch Manager.
• Hands-On, Meaningful Work: Every day brings new challenges and the opportunity to make a real difference.

Please note that we operate as a drug free/smoke free workplace. Smoking is not allowed on the job and we ask that “off the job” smoking or vaping be done discreetly, never in front of guests/clients and not in ranch buildings or vehicles. While we have vehicles for the ranch, employees must have their own personal vehicle to travel from the ranch to the local town for personal needs.