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General Manager, Memorial Forest

Better Place Forests
Lake Arrowhead, CA 92352
$78,017 - $95,000 a year - Full-time

Benefits
Pulled from the full job description

  • Dental insurance
  • Employee discount
  • Flexible schedule
  • Health insurance

Full job description

At Better Place Forests, we see death not as an ending but as a profound continuation of the cycle of life. We offer a serene and natural way to memorialize a loved one—within the beauty of protected forests. Nature has a way of bringing peace, offering not just comfort but a sense of connection to something larger than ourselves. Better Place Forests inspires families and individuals to celebrate life with the joy and renewal that nature inspires. Join us in providing compassionate care during some of life’s most poignant moments.

As a General Manager, you will lead a dedicated team to ensure operational excellence while providing compassionate care and exceptional experiences for grieving families and the surrounding community. This leadership role involves managing resources, ensuring smooth operations, and maintaining the ecological and aesthetic health of the forest. You will guide your team, lead memorial services, and provide an exceptional, supportive experience for grieving families, visitors and the community.

We are looking for a hands-on, flexible leader who thrives in fast-paced environments, has a deep love for nature, and is passionate about creating meaningful, empathetic experiences. If you are a leader who can juggle multiple tasks with confidence and care, we want you to be part of our team. In this role, you will serve as a local ambassador for Better Place Forests, increasing brand awareness and helping grow our community of customers, like-minded individuals, and partner organizations.

Key Responsibilities

Daily Operations

  • Oversee daily operations to ensure a seamless experience for visitors, including introductory (sales) tours, customer visits, memorial services, and on-site events.
  • Manage forest maintenance to keep trails, facilities, and grounds in excellent condition.
  • Coordinate staff and contractor schedules to ensure full coverage.
  • Flexible schedule, including availability on weekends.

Community Experience & Memorial Facilitation

  • Welcome visitors, guiding them through the forest while sharing the company’s mission and values.
  • Facilitate memorial services with professionalism, sensitivity, and compassion, providing families with a meaningful experience.
  • Comfortable handling the cremated remains of both humans and pets.
  • Build and nurture relationships with local death care providers, funeral homes, and community organizations to expand the forest’s reach and visibility.

Staff Supervision & Development

  • Lead recruitment efforts for seasonal staff. Train, schedule, and manage seasonal staff, Forest Hosts, and caretakers.
  • Provide coaching, feedback, and mentorship to ensure high-quality service and a collaborative team environment.

Site Maintenance

  • Monitor forest health, manage tree care, and control invasive species.
  • Ensure the cleanliness and safety of all visitor areas, including restrooms and parking.
  • Address safety concerns to maintain a secure environment for all.

Documentation & Reporting

  • Maintain accurate records of daily operations, memorial services, and visitor interactions.
  • Use internal systems (Salesforce, Google Workspace, etc.) to track and document activities and metrics.Use data to make recommendations on decisions.
  • Manage procurement and inventory of site supplies and memorial items.

Special Projects & Growth

  • Collaborate with central teams to enhance visitor and employee experiences.
  • Contribute to initiatives that elevate the forest’s operational success and community engagement.
  • Take on additional site management tasks as needed to support business growth.
  • Occasional travel (approximately 10%) may be required to support onsite activities and attend sites as needed.

Qualifications

Empathy & Passion

  • Deep commitment to nature, and meaningful end-of-life experiences.
  • Strong ability to comfort grieving families with sensitivity and understanding.
  • Comfortable working outdoors in all weather conditions year-round.

Operational & Leadership Expertise

  • The ability to thrive in fast-paced environments, adapting to new challenges and managing tight timelines.
  • Experience managing daily operations, including logistics, scheduling, and problem-solving in dynamic environments.
  • Strong organizational skills, with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks effectively.
  • Able to work independently while aligning with organizational goals.
  • Proven experience in supervising staff or volunteers and fostering a collaborative team culture.

Customer Care & Communication

  • Proven experience in customer-facing roles, particularly those requiring sensitivity and emotional intelligence.
  • Exceptional interpersonal and public-speaking skills to engage visitors and lead tours.
  • Ability to handle sensitive end-of-life services with care and professionalism.

Technical Proficiency & Physical Requirements

  • Proficient in Salesforce (SFDC), Google Workspace, Slack, and other CRM software.
  • Flexible schedule, including weekends and holidays as required.
  • Ability to perform physical tasks such as standing, bending, and lifting up to 45 pounds.
  • Passionate about nature and conservation, with the ability to work outdoors in remote areas and various weather conditions, using the appropriate gear.

Why Join Us?

At Better Place you will have the opportunity to lead in a meaningful way—helping families create lasting legacies while also preserving the natural world. If you are a leader who thrives on empathy, change, and connecting with others, we want you to join our passionate team.

Even if you don’t meet every qualification, we encourage you to apply today and help others create a meaningful end-of-life experience deeply rooted in nature.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $78,017.00 - $95,000.00 per year

Benefits:

  • Dental insurance
  • Employee discount
  • Health insurance

Shift:

  • 10 hour shift
  • 8 hour shift
  • Day shift
  • Morning shift

Application Question(s):

  • This role requires weekend availability, with a typical schedule running from Thursday to Monday. How comfortable are you with this schedule, and are you able to commit to it?
  • Supporting grieving customers is a significant part of this role. Can you share an example of how you've handled emotionally sensitive situations in the past? How do you ensure that you provide compassionate and effective support to individuals during their time of need?
  • Better Place operates in a fast-paced and ever-changing environment. Have you worked in similar settings before, and how do you handle constant change?
  • This role involves working outdoors in all weather conditions with limited shelter. Are you comfortable with this environment?

License/Certification:

  • Driver's License (Required)

Ability to Commute:

  • Lake Arrowhead, CA 92352 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

  • Lake Arrowhead, CA 92352: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person

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