I’m Clay Baird, a father, storyteller, and builder of meaningful experiences. My career began in Australia’s remote & wild landscapes, where I managed and developed award-winning tourism and hospitality ventures.

Over time, I’ve worked across operations, leadership, business development, and media production, building a diverse skill set that combines creativity with strong commercial understanding. I take pride in leading projects that drive growth, improve systems, and strengthen teams, while staying connected to the practical side of work, whether that means developing a strategy or picking up the tools myself.

I’m currently completing a Master of Business Administration, expanding my knowledge in finance, strategy, and marketing to lead innovative, sustainable ventures that connect people, purpose, and the natural world.

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Experienced tourism and regional development executive with more than 15 years in hospitality, destination marketing and business innovation. Proven record in transforming regional operations into sustainable, commercially strong and community-driven ventures.Led multi-site tourism operations, developed high-performing teams and delivered complex projects in collaboration with government, industry and community stakeholders. Achieved an 80 percent profit increase at Canopy Treehouses during COVID-19 through domestic market repositioning, new tourism products and the introduction of sustainable practices. As Deputy Chair of Tourism Atherton Tablelands, strengthened partnerships between local government,operators and funding bodies to drive coordinated regional growth.Combines financial acumen with strategic foresight and practical leadership, underpinned by a lifelong commitment to regional Australia. Driven to help regional communities thrive through strong partnerships, innovative strategy and authentic tourism that celebrates people and place.

Tourism & Hospitality

Tourism taught me patience, composure, and the importance of communication. It showed me the human element behind every experience and how to stay calm when everything changes at once. I learned to keep people and operations moving smoothly, even under pressure.

Business & Marketing

Business management gave me perspective. It taught me to think long term, to read numbers as stories about people and performance, and to make decisions that balance stability with growth. It also taught me how to be both ruthless and considerate, knowing when to act firmly and when to lead with understanding.

Creative & Practical Execution

Working with my hands keeps me grounded and connected to the process. Getting my hands dirty gives me a real perspective on operations and keeps me anchored in reality. It reminds me that ideas only have value when they’re built, tested, and refined. That balance between thinking and doing has shaped how I approach every project, from the smallest job to the biggest venture.

Education & Certificates

Master Of Business
Administration

2025 - Current
Australian Institute of Business - Online

MultiMedia Design

2003- 2005
Holmesglen TAFE

Digital Marketing

2017
RMIT - Online

Film & Television

2006- 2008
Footscray City Films

Working With Children Check

Current - 2025
Victoria

Wilderness & Level 2 Workplace First Aid

Needs a renew
Wodonga TAFE
Experience

The Horsemen Collective

Founder & General Manager

2021 - Present

I founded and grew The Horsemen Collective into a digital education platform working across Australia, New Zealand and the United States. My work combines operations, production, marketing and leadership, with a focus on building strong teams and delivering high quality content.

Key Responsibilities and Achievements

  • Founded and scaled a global digital education platform
  • Managed production across multiple countries
  • Led hybrid teams of filmmakers, designers and educators
  • Oversaw budgets, operations, reporting and profit share systems
  • Managed marketing systems, customer journeys, UTM tracking and API integrations
  • Built and maintained B2B partnerships and direct to consumer sales
  • Delivered social media campaigns and brand collaborations that improved engagement and conversions
  • Trade Stalls & Industry Events
  • Grant applications & investor pitches

I started The Horsemen Collective as a small idea about sharing real horsemanship and building something meaningful in the digital space. It has grown into a global platform with educators across Australia, New Zealand, the United States, producing beautifully shot masterclasses that blend storytelling and education.

I lead a hybrid team that works both in person and remotely, bringing filmmakers, designers and trainers together to create content, manage events and grow an engaged online community. I balance strategy and production, managing budgets, marketing systems, and sales across both B2B partnerships and direct-to-consumer channels.
Social media and content creation are a major part of the journey. From building and tracking customer journeys, UTM codes, API integrations and churn rates, to running trade events and collaborations, I’ve learned how to tell stories that connect and sell.

I also oversee our reporting and profit-share systems, making sure trainers are supported and rewarded for their contribution. The Horsemen Collective continues to teach me about leadership, creativity, and the power of good people working toward a shared vision.

Barefoot Baird - Farrier

Business Owner

2021 - Present

Operate an independent farrier business built on reliability, communication and consistency. Manage all areas of the operation including company structure, finance, scheduling and customer relationships.

Key Skills

  • Hoof care and trimming across a range of horses and disciplines
  • Client management and relationship building
  • Business operations, BAS and tax compliance
  • Online booking system design and automation
  • Financial management and reporting
  • On-site problem-solving and adaptability

Running my own farrier business takes drive, discipline, and self-motivation. I manage every part of the operation, from client relationships and scheduling to bookkeeping, BAS, and tax. I built an online booking system that automates renewals, invoicing, and reminders, creating a smoother experience for clients and a more efficient workflow for the business.

The work is hands-on and built on trust, reliability, and communication. I travel across regional Victoria, working with a wide range of horses and clients, often solving problems on the spot. Managing my own business has taught me to stay organised, solve problems under pressure, and appreciate the satisfaction that comes from a hard day’s physical work.

The Houses of Daylesford

General Manager

4 months of a 3 year contract - 2021

Managed operations for a 3,000-bed-a-night short-stay accommodation business overseeing property management, marketing, housekeeping and maintenance across private residences in the Daylesford region. Led the modernisation of internal systems and the implementation of a new RMS platform to streamline workflows and improve operational visibility. Worked through the challenges of post-COVID recovery while guiding teams through structural change and strengthening communication between management, staff and property owners.

Key Skills

  • Operational leadership and business management
  • Systems development and RMS implementation
  • Change management and process improvement
  • Stakeholder engagement and relationship management
  • Strategic planning and organisational direction
  • Team communication and leadership during transition
  • Financial management and performance reporting
  • Tourism operations in regional communities

As General Manager of a 3,000-bed-a-night short-stay accommodation business, I was brought in to modernise operations and implement a new RMS system. The company operated as a premium short-stay agency, managing bookings, marketing, housekeeping and property maintenance for private residences across the Daylesford region. The portfolio also included a café, hotel and restaurant.

The role was brief but valuable. The structural changes I was engaged to deliver, combined with the ongoing impacts of COVID-19 on the tourism sector, led to a mutual decision to end the contract early. The process was handled with professionalism and respect, leaving both parties with clarity and a stronger understanding of future direction.

The experience strengthened my skills in change management and stakeholder engagement, particularly in navigating sensitive transitions within established teams. It reinforced my belief that systems and culture need to be designed with flexibility and an understanding of the uncertainty that comes with business and rural communities, so they continue to function and grow in your absence.

The Canopy Treehouses & Wildlife Sanctuary

General Manager

2018-2021

Managed all aspects of a high-end eco-accommodation business in the Atherton Tablelands, overseeing staff, payroll, maintenance and daily operations across multiple properties. Built and implemented booking and reporting systems to modernise workflows and improve accountability. Led business strategy, financial management and capital works projects, including water infrastructure, renovations, signage and walking tracks.

Reported directly to the owners with full autonomy over operations, budgeting and compliance. Redeveloped business plans to strengthen resilience and adapt to the changing tourism landscape during COVID-19. This role also involved product development, sustainability initiatives and strategic planning to evaluate and revitalise small regional tourism operations.

Key Skills

  • Operational leadership and business development
  • Financial management and strategic planning
  • System design, reporting and process improvement
  • Sustainable tourism and environmental management
  • Capital works and infrastructure implementation
  • Stakeholder communication and reporting
  • Product development and market evaluation
  • Team management and adaptive leadership

Working in the tropical rainforest taught me as much about people and business as it did about nature. As General Manager of a high-end eco-accommodation business, I oversaw day-to-day operations across multiple properties, including staff, payroll, maintenance, logistics and guest experience. I reported directly to the owners and was trusted to make independent decisions across operations, finance and strategic direction.

At the onset of COVID-19, I led a full pivot from international guests to domestic travellers, building new tourism products and marketing strategies that kept the business strong through uncertainty. I modernised booking systems, improved guest workflows, and implemented sustainable practices that shaped the long-term direction of the business.

The role also involved capital works, including new water infrastructure, renovations, signage and walking tracks. It gave me a deeper understanding of how small regional tourism businesses operate and how to evaluate, modernise and reinvigorate them. It reinforced my belief that tourism is a collective effort, one that supports local economies and provides stability for communities through drought, recovery and renewal.

Tourism Atherton Tablelands

Deputy Chair

2018-2021

Served as Deputy Chair for the regional tourism organisation representing operators across the Atherton Tablelands. Worked closely with local councils, small businesses and state tourism bodies to strengthen the region’s visitor economy. Led destination marketing efforts and developed strategies to support industry growth, collaboration and recovery following environmental and economic challenges.

Collaborated with Tourism Tropical North Queensland and other government-funded partners to align local initiatives with broader regional strategies, ensuring efficient use of resources and consistent messaging. The role required diplomacy, communication and strong stakeholder management to balance the interests of diverse operators and community representatives.

Key Skills

  • Regional tourism leadership and governance
  • Stakeholder engagement and relationship management
  • Destination marketing and brand strategy
  • Collaboration with government and industry bodies
  • Strategic planning and project development
  • Community consultation and representation
  • Advocacy for small business and regional operators
  • Crisis response and recovery planning

As Deputy Chair, I helped lead destination marketing and regional development efforts across the Atherton Tablelands. The role involved working closely with local operators, council representatives and community groups to strengthen collaboration and support sustainable tourism growth.

I built partnerships across all levels of government and industry, including close collaboration with Tourism Tropical North Queensland and other funded bodies, to align local initiatives with broader state and national strategies. I worked on stakeholder engagement, navigating the realities of small-town politics, council processes and the competing priorities that come with regional tourism.

This experience gave me a deep appreciation for how tourism connects people, livelihoods and identity. It taught me how to bring groups together around shared goals and how effective communication and trust can turn a regional destination into a unified, resilient industry.

Spring Spur Stay

Accommodation Manager + Builder + Chef

2013-2018

Spring Spur Stay opened in 2013 after support from grants, private investment and local hands. I helped design, build and operate the accommodation, restaurant and event spaces, developing the paddock-to-plate dining experience and expanding into weddings, retreats and regional tourism initiatives.

Worked with Tourism North East on off-season events such as the Harvest Festival and celebrity chef weekends, helping strengthen local tourism and community ties. Guests shared meals around our long family table, built by my grandfather in the late 1960s, where conversation, food and connection became part of the experience.

Key Skills

  • Tourism product development and event planning
  • Construction and project management
  • Paddock-to-plate hospitality operations
  • Community engagement and regional collaboration
  • Business diversification and growth strategy
  • Human resources and team management
  • Strategic partnerships with tourism organisations
  • Customer experience and guest relations

Spring Spur Stay opened in 2013 after support from local grants, private investment and the sweat of friends and neighbours who believed in what we were building. It is a family business in every sense, built on hard work, community spirit and a shared love of good food and conversation. Guests didn’t just visit, they stayed with the family. Every evening, travellers and staff sat together around the long table built by my grandfather in the late 1960s, sharing meals, stories and laughter. Over time, the shared  family experience was a highlight for many.

I managed the construction of the accommodation facilities from the ground up, then moved into operations, hospitality and guest services. The property grew into a paddock-to-plate restaurant and working farm that supplied the kitchen, supported by a small family wine label producing rare local varieties.

Family business is rewarding, but it also tests you. I learned to manage hardship and high-pressure environments, to diversify and look for new opportunities when times were tough. I developed tourism products such as the Harvest Festival, delivered in partnership with Tourism North East to boost visitation in the off-season, and a series of celebrity chef weekends that became local favourites. The experience taught me the value of resilience, creative problem-solving and the simple power of making people feel at home.

Bogong Horseback Adventures

Operations Manager + Farming + Eco Tourism

1999-2013

Worked across all areas of a remote adventure tourism business, combining leadership, logistics and practical skills. Led multi-day horseback expeditions through Victoria’s alpine regions, managing guest safety, environmental care and expedition logistics. Coordinated 4WD support and resupply operations, while overseeing staff, horse care and property maintenance.

Partnered with Parks Victoria and industry bodies to ensure environmental compliance and business development. Contributed to multiple Australian Tourism Award submissions, supported stakeholder relationships and developed new products to expand into emerging markets.

Key Skills

  • Expedition leadership and remote operations
  • Team management and logistics coordination
  • Environmental and compliance management
  • Stakeholder and partner relationships
  • Product and tourism development
  • Business and operational planning
  • Guest experience and storytelling
  • Risk management and safety leadership

I worked across every part of this remote adventure tourism business, combining leadership, logistics and practical skills. I led multi-day horseback expeditions through Victoria’s alpine regions, managing guest safety, environmental care and expedition logistics from start to finish. The work involved route planning, coordinating remote 4WD and resupply operations, and keeping both people and horses safe in unpredictable mountain conditions.

Off the trail, I managed horse care, staff training and property maintenance, operating everything from tractors to chainsaws to keep the business running through each season. My responsibilities extended to partnership work with Parks Victoria, stakeholder relationships and compliance documentation. I contributed to multiple award submissions for the Australian Tourism Awards, helping the business achieve national recognition, and worked on marketing and product development to expand into new markets and strengthen the company’s industry profile.

Bogong Horseback Adventures gave me the skills and life experience to connect and communicate with a wide range of people. It also deepened my love for Australian heritage, history and the landscape itself. I will forever be grateful for my years in the saddle. They shaped not only my career but the kind of man and father I am today.

Van Dieman's Land

Unit Manager - Film Production

2016

Coordinated logistics for a feature film production across remote regions of Victoria and Tasmania. Managed crew transport, accommodation, equipment, locations and 4WD support operations. Oversaw resupply runs, scheduling and cross-department communication to keep production moving smoothly in demanding conditions.

The role strengthened my leadership and coordination skills, particularly in maintaining team culture and problem-solving under pressure in remote locations.

Key Skills

  • Production logistics and coordination
  • Team communication and leadership
  • Remote operations and resource planning
  • Transport and accommodation management
  • Scheduling and workflow organisation
  • Problem-solving in high-pressure environments
  • Collaboration across departments
  • Safety and compliance in remote field work

I coordinated logistics for a feature film production across remote regions of Victoria and Tasmania, managing crew transport, locations, accommodation and 4WD support operations. I oversaw resupply runs, scheduling and communication between departments to keep production moving smoothly in challenging environments.

The experience taught me the importance of team dynamics and culture when working under pressure. In remote conditions, success relied on trust, communication and keeping morale high through long days and unpredictable weather. It strengthened my ability to build cooperation across departments and lead people through complex, fast-changing situations.

Rock Creek Pack Station, California USA

Wilderness tour guide & Remote Expeditions

1999-2017 (Seasonal)

Led horseback expeditions ranging from two hours to thirty days through the remote High Sierra wilderness. Managed guest safety, route planning, livestock care and camp operations in demanding alpine conditions. Coordinated logistics, supply runs and stock management to keep multi-week expeditions running smoothly.

The role required communication, adaptability and leadership in remote settings. It taught me the art of storytelling and cultural interpretation, blending local history, flora, fauna and Indigenous knowledge to create meaningful experiences for guests.

Key Skills

  • Expedition leadership and guest safety
  • Route planning and navigation
  • Logistics, resupply and stock management
  • Cultural interpretation and storytelling
  • Environmental and wildlife awareness
  • Customer engagement and communication
  • Remote field operations and planning
  • Team coordination and decision-making

I spent my northern summers leading horseback tours through the remote High Sierra wilderness, guiding guests on journeys that ranged from two hours to thirty days. The work involved project planning, logistics, supply runs and stock management to keep multi-week expeditions running smoothly, along with route planning, camp setup, livestock care and guest safety in rugged alpine terrain.

Life in the mountains demanded endurance, clear communication and teamwork in isolated conditions. It also had a deeply human side, built on the art of conversation and storytelling around the campfire. Entertaining guests, reading people and creating connection were just as important as navigation and horsemanship.

The role also involved cultural interpretation and sharing knowledge of pioneering history, local flora and fauna, and Indigenous heritage. Those years in the wilderness taught me to see landscapes not just as places to travel through, but as living stories to be respected and understood. It shaped how I see people, nature and the kind of experiences that stay with you for life.

Links
Personal Abilities

I turn ideas into action, drawing on life experience, teamwork, and a love of getting things done.

Most of what I’ve learned has come from experience. Growing up in tourism meant working through school holidays and long weekends, learning early what commitment really looks like.
Over the years, I’ve built and managed businesses, worked through fires, floods, and changing economies, and found that the best lessons often come when things don’t go to plan. Those experiences taught me to stay calm under pressure, to think before acting, and to keep people and purpose at the centre of every decision. I’ve come to value the balance between strategy and hard work, between planning and doing, and I carry that approach into everything I build today.

Calm & Effective

I stay calm and effective under pressure, leading through challenges like bushfires and severe weather. I balance quick decision-making with responsibility, ensuring safety, guest experience, and compliance remain priorities.

Problem Solver

I approach challenges by listening, evaluating, and planning from different perspectives, allowing me to find practical solutions others might miss.

Versatile Skill Set

I work equally well in business planning and marketing as I do on a building site or in delivering a tourism experience, combining strategy with practical execution and a smile.

Work Ethic

Growing up in tourism taught me the value of hard work and consistency, often putting in long hours through school and public holidays to keep things running.

Finacial Acumen

I’ve built strong financial and operational skills, able to analyse performance, manage risk, and adapt business models to stay profitable through changing conditions like Covid-19.

Persuasive Leader

I lead with authenticity and trust, focusing on developing capable, confident teams that can thrive independently while sharing a clear sense of purpose.

Skills
97%

Tourism & Bussiness Management

95%

Building maintainace & Repairs

90%

Campfire Cook & Entertainer

95%

Team Management & Autonomy

95%

Financial Acumen & Plans

80%

Photography + Film + Marketing

Faq
Q.

When Can you Start?

A.

I'm available to take on any new roles Immediately. However i do have two children and need to manage their transitions into school. My wife is also continuing our online business and is available to move at short notice.  We are also open to working anywhere in Australia or international opportunities provide it is suitible for families.

Q.

What are your Hobbies?

A.

I am a lover of great food & stories shared with good people.
Gardening and a life outdoors with my boys are the main activities. I am also a passionate horseman, who loves teaching, and working with horses.  

Q.

What motivates you?

A.

Progress. I like seeing things move from an idea to something real. Whether it’s developing a new business model or fixing something on-site, I enjoy the satisfaction of improving things a little each day.

Contact

Contact me

If you want to get in touch with me you can send me a message filling up de following form, I’ll usually will answer within 24 hour period.

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