At Outward Bound, you’re not just joining a workplace. You’re becoming part of something bigger. 

Whether you’re leading groups on the hill, supporting behind the scenes or working with schools and funders, your role helps young people discover their potential through outdoor adventure.

Our approach is grounded in our core values and the same principles you’ll find wherever you work here – belief in potential, the power of learning through adventure, balancing challenge with compassion for people and the environment, and respect for individuality. This shared purpose connects us across centres, departments and locations. It’s what makes working here feel different.

Where trust and teamwork thrive

We’re a charity, not a corporation – and that shapes how we work. We pull together, listen, adapt and keep learning. We work with heart and focus, often with limited resources but never short of determination. Because we’re here to make a difference, and that matters.

Meet our people

The best way to see our values in action is to hear from the people who live them every day.

David, Senior Instructor

 “I started with Outward Bound nearly 25 years ago, left for a while, and then came back. 

The work is demanding, but the support has always been there - whether for my daughter’s school events or my commitments with mountain rescue.”

Smiling man in winter gear, wearing a black beanie and jacket, in snowy mountain landscape under a clear blue sky.

Pippa, Development Manager

“After years in the corporate world, I finally feel like I’m making a meaningful impact. My role is varied - I work with centre teams, fundraising and customer experience. 

Every visit to a centre reminds me why I’m here.” 

Woman with shoulder-length hair wearing glasses and a striped top, smiling against a lime green background.

Hannah, Head of Administration

“I joined in 2025 and was immediately welcomed into Outward Bound. From day one, it’s been more than a job - from the trust-wide induction to paddleboarding at Aberdovey. 

I love the openness, the support and the chance to be a role model for the young people we meet.”

Close-up of a smiling woman taking a selfie outdoors by a lake with mountains in the background; part of a person paddleboarding is visible to the left.

Freda, Head of Scottish Education Partnerships

 "What stands out is the people - kind, curious, purpose-driven. I started as a trainee instructor and now help design programmes across Scotland. 

We’re always evolving to meet young people’s needs - and that’s what makes it so rewarding."

A woman in a purple jacket and green gloves, wearing a red helmet, smiling while riding a mountain bike on a grassy trail with rocky terrain in the background.

Lucy, Instructor

“After doing the Women’s Outdoor Instructor Development Programme at Loch Eil, I went on to the Instructor Development Scheme at Ullswater. Outward Bound helped me gain the final qualifications I needed. 

I’m supported, stretched and surrounded by people who care about the same goal.”

Young woman in a helmet and goggles smiling in a rugged mountainous landscape with snow-capped peaks and rocky cliffs.

Matty, Account Manager

“Everyone here lives and breathes the mission. It’s infectious. I came from teaching to help schools get their pupils outdoors, and I’ve never looked back. 

It’s a role that demands energy and empathy, and gives back more than I expected.”

A man wearing a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses, smiling, outdoors in a grassy, hilly landscape with mountains in the background.

How we work together

We’re one team, even when we’re spread across centres, remote roles, or fundraising offices. Our belief in what we do binds us and how we do it.

  • We listen, give feedback and learn from each other
  • We support development, whether through formal training or informal mentoring
  • We celebrate difference, value collaboration and look out for one another
  • We find ways to connect, even when working remotely

Beyond mountains and muddy boots

We’re best known for what happens in the wild, but it takes a whole team to make it work. 

  • Fundraising and partnerships – keeping our work accessible and sustainable
  • Customer experience – supporting schools, employers and families
  • Marketing and communications – sharing stories and engaging supporters
  • Evaluation – measuring impact and improving practice
  • People – growing the team and culture
  • Business development – connecting with schools and employers
  • Operations – keeping centres and activities safe and efficient
  • ICT, digital and finance – keeping the organisation running smoothly 

What working at Outward Bound looks like

Purpose in what we do, enjoyment in how we do it.

Two hikers in outdoor gear review a map on a mountain trail with rocky terrain and rolling hills in the background.
A cheerful chef with a grey beard wearing a striped apron and blue gloves stirs a pot on a commercial stove in a professional kitchen.
A woman smiling and paddling a red canoe on a calm river, wearing a blue jacket, headband, and gloves, with a wooded bank in the background.
A group of children with backpacks listening to a woman writing on a whiteboard in a wooden indoor setting.
A young man in a red shirt and black apron offers a plated dessert with a chocolate-covered ball to a person out of frame, in a kitchen or cafeteria setting.
A man with glasses smiling at his desk in front of a large window, holding a mug, with a computer monitor, keyboard, and office supplies on the desk.
Two smiling men with beards, wearing waterproof jackets and backpacks, stand close together outdoors near a group of canoes.
Smiling woman in sunglasses and orange life jacket stands at the bow of a boat with a sail, surrounded by seated passengers, under a clear blue sky.
Three hikers outdoors, examining a GPS device together on a forest trail, surrounded by green foliage and trees.

Life at an Outward Bound centre

Find out more about the day-to-day experience of working in one of our centres, from the camaraderie of your team to the landscapes on your doorstep.

Explore life at centre
Aerial view of a lakeside landscape with a cluster of buildings among trees, a large lake, and snow-capped mountains in the background.

Ready to join us?

If you’re looking for purpose, challenge, and a team that backs you, this might just be the place. 

Take a look at our current jobs or get in touch to find out more.

View job opportunities
Group of people examining and pointing at a map, indicating planning or navigation, with visible backpacks and outdoor clothing.
A group of young people dancing and socialising in a vibrant, colourful indoor setting with bright neon lights and a lively atmosphere.
Group of people dancing in a lively, colourful setting, with some individuals holding hands and smiling, creating an energetic party atmosphere.
A crowd gathered around a table with food in a blue-walled interior, viewed from the top of a staircase with ornate white railings.
Audience seated in a large tent watching a stage presentation with screens and speakers at the front of the room.
Staff from across Outward Bound at our conference in Ullswater