Vice President of Mountain Operations

At Stratton, we are a team of people who work extremely hard and take our jobs very seriously, without forgetting how to laugh and have fun.  We choose people that display the talent and attitude that exemplify the high level of service our guests expect and deserve. Our vision is to be A BOLD MOUNTAIN COMMUNITY CULTIVATING EXTRAORDINARY EXPERIENCES. 

BESIDES GETTING PAID TO WORK AT AN INCREDIBLE RESORT, WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU?

Stratton's team members are rewarded with job experience, opportunities for career advancement and some great lifestyle perks (eligibility based on employee type).

• Alterra Mountain Company Employee Pass - free lift access & discounts at Alterra resorts
• Free or discounted multi-resort dependent season passes
• Free or discounted IKON pass 
• Discounted golf & fitness center memberships
• Employee childcare rates & discounted seasonal programs
• Retail + F&B discounts
• Friends & family tickets
• Onsite medical clinic
• Medical, dental, vision, life, disability, EAP, HSAs, & FSAs
• 401(k) plan with company match
• Discounted tuition plan
• Paid parental leave
• Paid sick time, FTO, Vacation

Additional perks & benefits for year round employees

POSITION SUMMARY

Stratton Mountain Resort is seeking an experienced Vice President of Mountain Operations to provide strategic leadership and operational oversight for the resort's mountain operations, infrastructure, safety, and guest experience. Reporting to the Resort President and COO, the Vice President of Mountain Operations serves as a member of the Senior Leadership Team and oversees Snowmaking, Grooming, Lift Operations and Validation, Lift Maintenance, Terrain Parks, Activities, Resort Appearance, Vehicle Maintenance and Transportation, Risk Management and Ski Patrol, and Property Management.

The Vice President is responsible for leading a division of approximately 400 team members, developing high-performing leaders, ensuring safe and reliable operations, managing significant financial and capital resources, and advancing the resort's long-term operational strategy. The successful candidate will bring strong technical knowledge of mountain operations, sound business judgment, and demonstrated leadership ability. This role requires a collaborative, strategic leader who can balance day-to-day operational demands with long-term priorities and contribute meaningfully to the overall success of the resort.

This full-time, year-round position offers an annual base salary of $130,000 - $160,000, plus eligibility for annual performance bonus and long-term equity incentives.

ESSENTIAL DUITES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Leadership and Operational Performance

• Serve as an active member of the Senior Leadership Team, contributing to resort-wide strategy, financial performance, organizational culture, and long-term planning.

• Demonstrate enterprise-wide leadership by evaluating decisions through the lens of overall resort performance, balancing divisional priorities with the broader needs of the business.

• Establish strategic direction, priorities, and performance expectations for the Mountain Operations division, ensuring alignment with resort and enterprise objectives.

• Lead, coach, and develop department leaders, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, engagement, and continuous improvement.

• Evaluate and evolve organizational structures, leadership capabilities, and succession plans to strengthen organizational effectiveness and long-term leadership capacity.

• Build strong working relationships across resort departments, ensuring operational decisions support the broader guest experience and business performance.

• Lead organizational change and operational improvements, challenging existing practices and identifying opportunities for greater efficiency, effectiveness, and innovation.

Operational Excellence and Guest Experience

• Provide executive oversight of all Mountain Operations functions, ensuring safe, efficient, reliable, and guest-focused operations throughout the year.

• Establish clear operational standards, performance expectations, and accountability systems that support consistent execution across departments.

• Guide the development and execution of operational strategies for snowmaking, grooming, lift operations and maintenance, terrain parks, mountain activities, transportation, and other mountain services.

• Ensure operational readiness and effective resource deployment in response to changing weather conditions, business volumes, staffing levels, and guest demand.

• Maintain oversight of mountain emergency preparedness and response capabilities, including Ski Patrol, ambulance operations, and coordination with external emergency response agencies.

• Use operational metrics, guest satisfaction data, team member engagement results, and industry best practices to evaluate performance and drive measurable improvements.

• Balance operational reliability, guest experience, financial performance, and resource stewardship when establishing priorities and making decisions.

Financial and Capital Management

• Develop and manage the Mountain Operations division's annual operating budget, establishing financial priorities and ensuring responsible allocation of labor, equipment, and operating resources.

• Monitor financial performance, analyze variances, and establish appropriate corrective actions to achieve operating and financial objectives.

• Partner with Finance and other resort leaders on forecasting, financial reporting, and long-range business planning.

• Identify opportunities to improve productivity, optimize resource utilization, and manage costs without compromising safety, service, or operational quality.

• Contribute to resort profitability and EBITDA performance through disciplined financial management, operational efficiency, and strategic decision-making.

Capital Planning and Infrastructure Management

• Partner with the Resort President and Senior Leadership Team to develop and prioritize annual and multi-year capital investment plans.

• Provide executive oversight of capital projects and major equipment investments, including infrastructure improvements, lift systems, snowmaking, fleet, and other mountain assets.

• Establish project expectations and accountability for scope, budget, scheduling, vendor and contractor performance, and successful completion.

• Evaluate long-term infrastructure needs, asset conditions, operational risks, and investment opportunities to support the resort's strategic objectives.

• Build effective relationships with contractors, vendors, consultants, and internal stakeholders to support successful project planning and execution.

Safety, Risk Management, and Regulatory Compliance

• Champion a proactive safety culture in which leaders and team members demonstrate personal accountability for safe work practices and operational decisions.

• Provide executive oversight of resort-wide risk management and workers' compensation programs, emphasizing prevention, incident investigation, corrective action, and continuous improvement.

• Ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations, industry standards, operating requirements, and company policies.

• Maintain organizational readiness for emergency response, incident command, and business continuity, partnering with internal teams and external agencies as appropriate.

• Promote an environment in which safety concerns are identified, communicated, and addressed consistently and effectively.

Environmental and Resource Stewardship

• Partner with the Sustainability Team to establish and advance strategies for responsible energy, fuel, water, waste, and resource management.

• Integrate environmental considerations and resource efficiency into operational planning, capital investments, and infrastructure decisions.

• Collaborate with the resort's Permit and Planning Team and regulatory agencies to ensure mountain operations and capital projects align with applicable permits, environmental requirements, and the resort's Master Plan.

• Support long-term sustainability initiatives that balance environmental responsibility, operational performance, and financial considerations.

QUALIFICATIONS, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITY REQUIREMENTS

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible leadership experience in ski resort mountain operations, including oversight of multiple operational functions.

• Demonstrated success leading complex, seasonal organizations and developing high-performing management teams.

• Strong technical understanding of mountain operations, infrastructure, safety, and regulatory requirements.

• Proven financial acumen, including operating budgets, capital planning, and project oversight.

• Strong strategic thinking, communication, collaboration, and decision-making skills, with the ability to contribute effectively at the executive leadership level.

• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays, and respond to operational needs in varying weather conditions.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent relevant leadership experience.

• Experience with resort permitting, master planning, and four-season mountain operations.

• Knowledge of environmental compliance, sustainability practices, and applicable ANSI and NSAA industry standards.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations.   

An Equal Opportunity Employer