Ranch Manager

Lone Mountain Ranch

Located in Big Sky, Montana, Lone Mountain Ranch is a historic guest ranch situated on 148 acres in the heart of the Greater Yellowstone ecosystem. First homesteaded in 1915, the Ranch has grown into one of the premier guest ranch destinations in the American West, offering a unique blend of authentic hospitality, rich history, thoughtful luxury, and year-round outdoor adventure.

The property features 25 hand-hewn cabins, the renowned Horn & Cantle Restaurant and Saloon, the Ranch Hall, the Outpost, equestrian facilities, Nordic ski trails, event spaces, and expansive access to the surrounding Montana landscape. Lone Mountain Ranch is proud to be recognized as a National Geographic Unique Lodge of the World, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and a longtime member of the Dude Ranchers’ Association.

Our team is passionate about creating genuine and memorable experiences for our guests while fostering a workplace culture centered around hospitality, professionalism, teamwork, and respect for the history and spirit of the Ranch.

About the Role

The Ranch Manager is a key operational leader at Lone Mountain Ranch, responsible for overseeing the teams and systems that keep the Ranch safe, beautiful, functional, and guest-ready year-round. Reporting directly to the General Manager, this position provides leadership and strategic oversight for the Maintenance Department, Grounds Maintenance, Horse Program, Fishing Program, Nordic Trail Grooming, Rodeo Events, and Sleigh Ride Operations.

This role is ideal for a collaborative and experienced leader who is passionate about hospitality, outdoor recreation, property stewardship, and team development. The Ranch Manager plays a critical role in ensuring operational excellence while preserving the character, history, and natural beauty of the Ranch. Success in this role requires strong leadership, sound decision-making, operational expertise, and a commitment to creating exceptional guest and employee experiences.

What You'll Do

• Provide leadership and operational oversight for Maintenance, Grounds, Horse Program, Fishing, Nordic Grooming, Rodeo, and Sleigh Ride departments
• Develop and execute plans for property maintenance, grounds care, snow removal, trail grooming, and long-term asset preservation
• Build and maintain operational systems, including SOPs, schedules, checklists, preventive maintenance programs, and work-order tracking systems
• Oversee vehicle fleets, heavy equipment, maintenance operations, and ranch infrastructure
• Lead and support department managers and supervisors through coaching, accountability, and professional development
• Ensure cabins, facilities, trails, grounds, and guest-use areas consistently meet Ranch quality and safety standards
• Collaborate closely with the Barn Manager to support horse program operations, guest safety, and team development
• Oversee staffing, scheduling, budgeting, and resource allocation across departments
• Monitor guest satisfaction and proactively address operational concerns that impact the guest experience
• Support sustainable property management practices and long-term operational planning
• Partner with the General Manager and leadership team to align operational priorities with Ranch goals and strategic initiatives
• Foster a positive culture built on teamwork, accountability, hospitality, and continuous improvement

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of senior leadership experience in hospitality, resort operations, ranch management, property management, or a related field
• Demonstrated experience leading multiple operational departments and managing diverse teams
• Strong knowledge of property maintenance, grounds care, snow removal, trail systems, vehicle and equipment maintenance, and infrastructure management
• Experience developing operational systems, SOPs, preventive maintenance programs, and work-order tracking processes
• Proven ability to build, motivate, and develop high-performing teams
• Strong financial acumen, including budgeting, forecasting, and resource management
• Excellent communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to balance operational excellence with employee engagement and guest satisfaction
• Experience working in outdoor recreation, ranch, resort, or hospitality environments preferred
• Knowledge of wildfire mitigation, risk management, and property safety practices preferred
• Ability to work collaboratively with executive leadership and cross-functional teams

Leadership Expectations

As a leader at Lone Mountain Ranch, the Ranch Manager is expected to model professionalism, integrity, accountability, and hospitality in every aspect of their work. This position plays a critical role in building strong teams, fostering collaboration across departments, and creating a culture where employees feel supported, empowered, and connected to the Ranch's mission.

Successful leaders at the Ranch lead by example, communicate openly, take ownership of challenges, and focus on solutions. They support the success of the entire Ranch, encourage teamwork across departments, and help create exceptional experiences for both guests and employees.