JOB DESCRIPTION

Whitefish Mountain Resort / Winter Sports, Inc (WSI)

Title: Director of Mountain Operations 

Department: Lift Operations, Lift Maintenance, Vehicle Maintenance, Grooming, Snowmaking, Ski Patrol, Events & Recreation, Terrain Park, Mountain Ambassadors, Bike Park (Summer), Alpine Slide (Summer)

Level: Full Time Year Round

FLSA: Exempt

General Duties:

Oversee all aspects of winter and summer mountain operations. This leadership role oversees a broad range of departmental managers. Given the dynamic nature of the resort, communication is critical. Full understanding of company direction and initiatives and the ability to communicate the same to managers and create strategies to accomplish greater resort goals must be a daily undertaking. Similarly, communicating what is going on throughout the mountain operations departments back to other departments and resort leadership is essential. Offices are located on the second floor of the Mountain Operations and Events Building near the Upper Village.

Job Relationships:

Reports to: President

Employees supervised: Managers: Lift Operations, Lift Maintenance, Grooming/Snowmaking, Vehicle (Fleet) Maintenance, Ski Patrol, Events & Recreation, Mountain Ambassadors

Job Skill Specifications:

· College degree in management or another related field preferred.

· Previous resort experience in Ski Area Mountain Operations departments required.

· Management/oversight of agency relationships (or equivalent) preferred, e.g. US Forest Service, Montana DNRC, ATF-E, Army Corps of Engineers, FCC, Flathead Conservation District.

· Staff management experience required, to include working knowledge of proper interviewing, hiring and terminating procedures, and experience with employee training, performance appraisal, and disciplinary counseling.

· Project management experience preferred, including planning through implementation to completion.

· Written and strong verbal communication skills required; ability to develop effective working relationships with staff, co-workers, and management.

· Computer experience required, specifically with the Microsoft suite. Risk Management software experience preferred.

· Basic knowledge of chairlift machinery and operations preferred.

· CPR/AED/WFR/OEC or comparable experience preferred.

· Experience with risk management and mitigation preferred.

· Experience working with legal counsel and depositions preferred.

· Must maintain a high level of discretion, as we handle sensitive and confidential information.

· Must possess a positive attitude and be a positive role model. Must take pride and ownership of the products, services and in the growth of WMR. Must be proactive in removing barriers to effective communication, customer service and operations.

· Must be able to prioritize tasks and delegate to others in order to maximize efficiency and effectiveness.

· Ability to function effectively during times of high stress and high business demands while dealing courteously and effectively with customers and staff.

· Working knowledge and understanding of general accounting terminology and pro­cedures required, as well as experience with the financial aspects of operations, including business and financial analysis.

· Must be a peer leader whose opinions carry weight at all levels of the Company.

· Ability to work within framework of standard policies and procedures.

· Per WSI Vehicle Insurance standards: must be at least 18 years of age and possess a valid driver’s license and the ability to be added to WSI’s vehicle insurance policy.

Specific Duties:

· Oversee all operations of the Mountain Operations departments, both winter and summer. Ensure that customer satisfaction and employee morale are at a maximum.

· Hire, train, supervise, and evaluate management of these areas and other staff as needed.

· Responsible for performance of all administrative duties required to ensure timeliness and accuracy.

· Maintain good relationship with U.S. Forest Service and all other relevant agencies, including but not limited to management of operating permits, operational documentation, post-implementation documentation, and compliance items.

· Coordinate and lead annual and/or seasonal inspections of Mountain Operations with both General Liability and Worker’s Compensation Inspectors.

· Attend semi-annual Montana Ski Area Association meetings as assigned by President. 

· Hold regular meetings for Mountain Operations Management and staff to ensure high level of company-wide communication.

· Participate in WSI staff meetings, senior managers meetings, and other functions as required –Senior Manager on Duty.

· Demonstrated ability to safely operate chair lift as needed to assist with summer and winter operations.

· Teach and support managers in preparation of operating budgets; adhere to budgets to reach financial goals. 

· Prepare capital expenditure proposals. Submit invoices and communicate updates on projects to leadership team.

· Collaborate with President and other department Directors/Managers to create vision for mountain enhancement and/or expansion projects. Including lifts, slope/trail changes on new or existing terrain.

· Monitor customer feedback designed to measure satisfaction. Deal promptly and effectively with customer problems or complaints.

· Work closely with WSI’s Accounting Office on record keeping for purchasing, payroll, and sales.

· Work with WSI’s HR department for support in hiring, firing, terminating and personnel policies and procedures.

· Work with WSI’s Marketing & Sales on promotions, advertising, collateral, and group sales functions.

· Work closely with and maintain good working relationships with other mountain departments.

· Maintain the highest possible level of safety and cleanliness in departmental facilities, responding to building maintenance needs promptly.

· Adhere to and support all the policies and procedures within the WSI Employee Handbook.

Work Environment:

· Ability to lift items weighing 20 pounds repeatedly and up to 50 to 80 pounds occasionally.

· Ability to climb stairs to access workspace.

· Ability to work at heights.

· Requires individual to bend, stoop, and stretch repeatedly.

· Ability to work under varying weather conditions, often extreme in nature.

· Ability to ski or snowboard carrying equipment such as gates, poles, etc.

· Must be able to ride a snowmobile. 

· Mountain bike experience preferred.

· Job requires working weekends and holidays. 

· Non-smoking environment.

Safety & Wellness:

All team members must be on constant alert for any unsafe conditions and work behaviors. This will involve, but not be limited to, periodic inspections of work and public areas. Follow up notification will be done to correct the condition or practice at the earliest possible opportunity.

This job description is to be considered a general outline of the duties and responsibilities of this position and is subject to changes and revisions by WSI management at any time. Responsibilities are listed as guidelines only and the job is not necessarily limited to these specifications.