Business Director
Overview
The Field School of Hvar is a family slow travel program combining superb child enrichment, social connection for adults, and support for everyday life abroad, including accommodations and coworking. Our aim is to serve the island of Hvar by offering affordable extracurriculars for local children, displacing short-term mass tourism, and by developing a “regenerative” infrastructure around the school, including an organic kitchen garden, upcycle and repair shop, and EV transport. We hope that this program will be a template for a new, sustainable approach to tourism throughout Croatia and beyond.
We are seeking a highly competent business manager to set a foundation for growth. This is a demanding, full-time role in a rapidly growing organization. You will be a good fit if you are passionate about serving children and the environment on Hvar, love the creativity of early stage ventures, and are looking to bring more impact into an established career of business performance. You will be a key leader in the organization.
Key Responsibilities
Program Direction
Develop direction, including financing, for permanent campus
Lead partnerships, financing, design, and execution of:
Field Trips - half-day and day-long programs
Field Store - product bundles, collective production system, and a Field product line
Field Garden - community garden
Financial Management
Liaise with accountants and attorneys in the US and Croatia
Write and maintain budgets, tracking expenses against projections
Obtain company credit/debit cards and ensure proper usage of cash
Modify 5-year models for program growth
Evaluate capital investments
Provide any required financial reporting
Governance
Schedule and take notes in monthly calls
Help revise core strategic documents, including 5 year plan, sustainability report, and mission statement
Prepare monthly slide decks with latest KPIs
Help establish board governance and purpose in 2026
Participate as an informed, respected voice in shaping overall strategy
Operational Management
Light-touch project management through a software like MS Planner
Assist with inventory of classroom and other materials
Maintain good hygiene of digital ecosystem - software subscriptions, filesharing, etc.
Community Presence
Interface regularly with Field School families, including occasionally stepping in to lead activities if needed
Participate in monthly performance assessment and team-building with colleagues
Conduct consistent, positive engagement with stakeholders in local island community
Qualifications
Education
Bachelor’s degree required
MBA or Master’s in Sustainability preferred
Experience
At least 10 years of experience in management consulting, startups with >€1MM ARR, commercial-scale project development in Croatia, or other comparable senior management roles involving new programs and business line
Volunteer or professional experience advising private schools, outdoor education programs, or larger cultural institutions is a plus
Personal
Impeccable personal and professional integrity
Superb communication skills
Adaptability for working in a fast-paced, evolving startup environment
Exceptional initiative and accountability
Passion for sustainability, island Hvar, children, education, and families
Other
Right to work in Croatia
Near native English fluency
Native or near native Croatian fluency
Conditions
This role is full-time, year-round on Hvar, beginning in winter 2026
Weekly performance review, evolving to monthly, to support clear dialogue on expectations
At-will employment, meaning that employer or employee may terminate contract without cause given two weeks or similar notice
Occasional physical activity, including lifting and moving, in indoor and outdoor environments
Compensation
€3,000 monthly base salary
50% of net income from Field Store and Field Trips in CY 2026
20% discount on all The Field School of Hvar offerings for duration of employment for immediate family
Market-standard bonuses related to grant or private financing
Opportunity to participate in Field School excursions in working capacity, including boat tours, dinners, hikes, and creative workshops
Paid leave, insurance, and workplace protections in line with Croatian law
Option to revisit compensation based on performance
Equal Opportunity Statement
Field School of Hvar is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment for all employees. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, including but not limited to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment.
Apply
Please email your resume and cover letter to carolyn@thisisfield.org
First round candidates will be asked to conduct a brief assignment. Second round candidates will be invited to interview. Final candidates will provide 3 professional references and submit to a criminal background check.