Director of Mountain Operations

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The Director of Mountain Operations provides leadership, management, and direction for all summer and winter Mountain Operations at Homewood Mountain Resort. The Director of Mountain Operations will support the management teams of Homewood. The Director of Mountain Operations will initially report to the Assistant General Manager alongside the Senior Management and Leadership Teams in developing and executing company and resort wide initiatives. This role is directly responsible to ensure the overall success of the mountain experience and associated with the following; accountability for executing daily mountain operations, future and strategic planning, serving as the resort lead on all mountain capital projects including snowmaking and lift upgrades, reporting of operations, employee hiring and performance, staff development, financial results which include expense and labor management in accordance with budget requirements, and compliance with all governmental regulations ensuring that safety is paramount across our resort’s year-round operations for both staff and guests.

Compensation $118,000-$140,000 salary/exempt/year-round

Duties and Responsibilities

• Responsible for the overall Mountain Operations including the following departments; Lift & Gondola Operations, Lift Maintenance, Snowmaking, Grooming/Snow Surfaces, Trail Maintenance, and Special Events.
• Oversee the management and administration of operations to produce an exceptional guest and employee experience.
• Serve as the resort lead and single point of accountability for all mountain capital projects, including snowmaking system upgrades, lift installations and upgrades, terrain and infrastructure improvements, and associated year-round capital initiatives. Own the full project lifecycle from scoping, budgeting, and scheduling through execution, commissioning, and close-out.
• Direct and coordinate all third-party contractors, vendors, and consultants engaged on mountain capital work. While outside contractors perform the work, this role retains overall resort ownership—managing scopes of work, schedules, on-mountain coordination, quality and safety standards, regulatory compliance, and acceptance of completed work.
• Develop and maintain company policies and procedures regarding guidelines established by regulatory agencies and best practices in the ski resort industry.  Assist and produce direct reports with budgetary responsibilities, as necessary.
• Assist direct reports with the development of budgets, goals and objectives to improve the performance of each operation.
• Attend and actively participate in all senior team, leadership meetings, operational meetings, and required company functions.
• Communicate information to all Mountain Operations staff to ensure the proper distribution of resort activities and general information.
• Responsible for overseeing and participating in the hiring and training for all employees to ensure a professional mountain team is developed.
• Evaluate the performance of all staff members regularly, including disciplinary action as needed.
• Complete proper paperwork and reporting as required by operations, human resources and legal regulations are done in a timely and accurate manner.
• Ensure the aiel and surface lifts are being maintained and operated in accordance with the rules and regulations of CPTSB, ANSI regulations. Lead lift capital projects—including new lift installations, major component upgrades, and modernization—as the resort lead, coordinating contractors, manufacturers, and inspectors and ensuring full regulatory compliance through commissioning and acceptance.
• Plan the necessary inventory to be ordered and stocked with the necessary supplies to maintain all equipment for the resort.
• Oversee the scheduling of snowmaking production to ensure a successful winter skiing experience. Track all water usage for billing process. Monitor electrical usage to control overall expenses for the company. Lead the planning, design coordination, and execution of snowmaking infrastructure upgrades and expansion projects, working with contractors and engineers while serving as the resort’s primary point of accountability.
• Coordinate and oversee the grooming schedule to ensure a quality guest experience on the mountain.
• Responsible for ensuring all drivers are licensed and all vehicles are maintained in accordance with the DOT regulations.
• Promotes and exemplifies the Homewood culture of exceptional guest service, teamwork, innovation, and fun!  Works well independently and with others.  Enjoys “pitching in” whenever and wherever assistance is needed.  Conducts and shows a high level of professionalism.  Values our safety culture, our community, and maintaining a healthy, sustainable environment. Ensures that guests and employees have a fun, safe, and memorable experience. Asks questions, shares concerns, or gives ideas on innovation and efficiencies that improve both the guests’ and employees’ experience.
   

SUPERVISORY DUTIES:

• Hire, train, review, and discipline employees
• Coach, motivate and develop staff
• Verify work activities, problem solving and progress reports
• Strategizing for the future

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop and maintain effective relationships with the Homewood Mountain Resort Senior and Leadership Teams and strategize with the teams on programs, policies and initiatives contributing to the success of the entire resort.
• Handle all customer and miscellaneous situations in a professional and timely manner.
• Maintain excellent relationships with vendors and sponsors associated with the company.
• Other duties as assigned.
   

Skills and Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  Reasonable accommodation may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties:

• Have excellent communication, analytical, and interpersonal skills.
• Strong initiative and the ability to work independently.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment while maintaining a high level of accuracy and courtesy.
• Must be at least 18 years old.
• Must be able to work in the United States.
• Must have a valid driver’s license with at least 3 years of driving experience.
• Driving record must meet our standards. 
• Must be able to operate manual transmission.
• Must meet criminal background standards. 
• Must be able to communicate effectively in English.
• Attention to detail.
• Extensive knowledge of ski area operations, hand tools, power tools and heavy equipment.
• Knowledge of electrical and mechanical skills
• Must maintain a well-groomed and professional appearance.
• Must enjoy serving people and having fun!

• Language Skills:
  • Literate and fluent in English.
  • Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos.  Ability to write simple correspondence.
  • Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to customers, clients, and other employees of the organization.
  • Additional language(s) desirable.
• Mathematical Skills:
  • Ability to add and subtract two-digit numbers and to multiply and divide with 10’s and 100’s.
  • Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra, geometry, and trigonometry.
  • Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, proportions, area, circumference, and volume to practical situations.
• Reasoning Ability:
  • Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in oral, mathematical, or diagram form. 
  • Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations
  • Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Education and/or Experience:
  • Bachelor’s degree (B.A. or B.S.) preferred
  • Master’s degree (M.A.) preferred
  • Minimum of five years’ experience in ski area operations equivalent combination of education and experience.
  • Minimum of five years’ experience in a leadership role.
  • Demonstrated experience leading mountain capital projects—such as lift installations/upgrades, snowmaking system expansion, or major infrastructure improvements—including managing contractors, budgets, schedules, and regulatory approvals as the owner’s representative.
• Certificates, Licenses, and Registration:
  • Valid Class C Driver License with a driving record meeting the minimum standards required by Homewood’s insurance carrier.
  • Knowledge of DOT and DMV requirements and regulations for staff and buses. Familiar with Placer County parking codes and knowledge of Ski Homewood parking permits.
  • Knowledge of updated B77 ANSI codes.
  • Blasters License and avalanche control experience with explosives.
     

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Regularly required to stand, sit, and walk; talk and hear; taste and smell; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.

• Often required to use the computer.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distant vision, color and peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
• Ability to lift/move 50 lbs. or more and occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 lbs.
   

Equipment Used

• Telephones, PC, database, office supplies, and filing cabinets
• Handheld radio
• Snow removal equipment
   

Working Conditions

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Harsh outside weather conditions.
• Occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions; high precarious places; fumes or airborne particles; toxic or caustic chemicals; extreme cold; extreme heat; risk of electrical shock; explosives; and vibration.
• Noise level in the work environment is usually loud.
• Frequently exposed to moving mechanical parts.
• Small and large working area environments.