Assistant Director of Mountain Operations

Job Description

Job Description

POSITION SUMMARY

The Assistant Director of Mountain Operations is responsible for leading and coordinating the operational elements that shape the guest experience across Hilltop Ski Area. Reporting to the Director of Mountain Operations, this role provides leadership and coordination for Lift Operations, Ski Patrol, Terrain Park, Bike Park operations, trails, grounds, mountain presentation, guest flow, special events, races, competitions, and recreational programming. The Assistant Director serves as the operational leader between departments, ensuring that facilities, staff, events, and mountain resources work together to deliver exceptional experiences for guests, athletes, youth participants, families, schools, and community partners.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The essential functions include, but are not limited to, the following:

Guest Experience Leadership

• Serve as the primary operational advocate for the guest experience throughout the mountain.
• Ensure a safe, welcoming, accessible, and enjoyable environment for all guests.
• Oversee the guest journey from arrival and parking through departure, identifying opportunities to improve satisfaction and efficiency.
• Maintain high standards for mountain presentation, cleanliness, signage, wayfinding, grounds appearance, and facility readiness.
• Monitor guest flow through lifts, terrain, trails, base areas, event venues, and public gathering spaces.
• Identify and resolve operational challenges that impact guest experience, safety, or accessibility.
• Collaborate with all departments to ensure consistent service standards and seamless guest interactions.
• Support Hilltop Ski Area’s mission by creating positive recreational and developmental experiences for youth, families, schools, and community members.

Mountain Operations Leadership

• Assist in directing year-round mountain operations across winter and summer seasons.
• Coordinate operational activities among Lift Operations, Ski Patrol, Terrain Parks, Bike Park, Trails, Parking and Grounds, and Events.
• Ensure effective communication and coordination between operational departments.
• Support daily operational planning, staffing, and resource allocation.
• Lead operational response to changing weather, conditions, guest volume, and special events.
• Ensure operational readiness and consistent execution across all mountain environments.

Lift Operations & Ski Patrol Coordination

• Coordinate closely with Lift Operations and Ski Patrol leadership to ensure safe and efficient mountain operations.
• Support lift operations in maintaining compliance with applicable safety standards and operating procedures.
• Assist with operational planning related to mountain openings, closures, emergency response, and guest safety.
• Ensure operational decisions prioritize both guest experience and risk management.
• Support incident review, hazard mitigation, and continuous safety improvement efforts.

Terrain Parks, Bike Park & Recreation Facilities

• Oversee the planning, development, maintenance, and presentation of terrain parks and the bike park.
• Ensure features align with safety standards, operational goals, and guest expectations.
• Coordinate inspections, maintenance schedules, and operational readiness.
• Collaborate with Snowsports programming staff to support progression-based experiences for participants of all ability levels.
• Ensure recreational facilities support both public access and organized programming needs.

Events, Competitions & Race Operations

• Lead operational planning and execution of special events, races, competitions, festivals, camps, and community programs.
• Coordinate staffing, logistics, risk management, guest flow, venue preparation, and event infrastructure.
• Serve as the primary operational liaison between event organizers, race and competitive teams, and mountain departments.
• Balance public access, programming needs, and event requirements within shared-use environments.
• Ensure events are delivered safely, professionally, and in a manner that enhances Hilltop Ski Area’s reputation and guest experience.

Grounds, Trails & Mountain Presentation

• Oversee year-round maintenance and presentation of parking areas, grounds, trails, signage, landscaping, and outdoor facilities.
• Ensure all public-facing areas are clean, safe, accessible, and visually appealing.
• Coordinate snow removal, trail maintenance, drainage management, and seasonal preparations.
• Maintain standards that support a positive first impression and overall mountain experience.
• Continuously evaluate facility appearance and operational readiness.

Staffing, Training & Team Development

• Assist with recruiting, hiring, onboarding, scheduling, training, and retention of seasonal and year-round staff.
• Foster a positive culture focused on safety, guest service, teamwork, and accountability.
• Provide coaching, mentorship, and performance management support.
• Develop staff competency in operational procedures, equipment operation, safety practices, and customer service.
• Support succession planning and leadership development within operational teams.

Safety, Compliance & Risk Management

• Promote and maintain a strong culture of safety throughout mountain operations.
• Ensure compliance with applicable regulatory requirements, industry standards, and organizational policies.
• Coordinate hazard identification, mitigation efforts, incident response, and operational risk assessments.
• Support emergency preparedness planning and staff training.
• Ensure proper use of personal protective equipment and safe work practices.

Planning, Budgeting & Organizational Leadership

• Assist in the development and management of operational budgets.
• Monitor labor, equipment, maintenance, and supply expenditures.
• Support capital improvement projects and long-range operational planning.
• Maintain operational records, reports, compliance documentation, and performance metrics.
• Participate in leadership meetings and organizational planning initiatives.
• Provide operational recommendations that improve safety, efficiency, sustainability, and guest satisfaction.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities)

• Six (6) years of experience in ski areas, mountain resort, outdoor recreation, or related operational environments.
• Three (3) years of supervisory or leadership experience.
• Valid driver's license with acceptable driving record.
• Must pass a background check. 
• Demonstrated understanding of mountain operations, guest services, event operations, and risk management.
• Experience coordinating multiple operational functions and teams in a dynamic environment.
• Experience with Ski Patrol, Lift Operations, Terrain Parks, or related Mountain Ops preferred.
• Strong leadership, communication, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Ability to make sound decisions in changing weather, operational, and emergency situations.
• Working knowledge of equipment, facilities, and outdoor recreation operations.
• Ability to work evenings, weekends, holidays, and special events as required.

Physical Demands and Work Environment 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions. While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands or fingers, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus. The employee must be able to lift 50+ pounds, push, pull, or carry objects, use abdominal and lower back muscles to provide support over time without fatigue and to effectively jump, sprint, or throw an object. Excellent stamina is required. The employee regularly works near moving mechanical parts and in outside conditions that include inclement weather, heat and humidity, and exposure to dust and asphalt. The noise level in the work environment is generally loud. 

Note

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent in this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments. All duties and responsibilities are essential functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. To perform this job successfully, the incumbents will possess the skills, aptitudes, and abilities to perform each duty proficiently. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health or safety of themselves or others. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” relationship.

The company is an Equal Opportunity Employer, drug free workplace, and complies with ADA regulations as applicable.