Operations Manager – Okanagan Gondola

Canada West Ski Areas Association; Vernon; On-site; CAD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A premier Canadian ski association is seeking an Operations Manager to oversee the daily operations of gondola and various mountain attractions. This full-time position involves ensuring guest safety, regulatory compliance, and leading a team to deliver a top-tier experience. Ideal candidates will have at least 5 years’ experience in outdoor operations and Red Seal Millwright certification. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to a new tourism experience opening in 2027, with competitive benefits and growth opportunities.

Benefits

Competitive Incentive Package

Extended Health Benefits

Employee Life Insurance

Health Spending Account

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years’ experience in outdoor/adventure operations environment.
• Direct experience managing operations of gondola or lift systems.
• Willingness to work outdoors year-round in varying weather conditions.

Responsibilities

• Manage daily operation of the gondola systems and equipment.
• Oversee all mountain‑based attractions and ensure safety standards.
• Recruit, train, and supervise staff across all operational areas.

Skills

Leadership skills

Mechanical aptitude

Communication skills

Problem-solving skills

Education

Red Seal Millwright certification

Job description

Position: Operations Manager
Employment Type: Full-time, Salaried
Location: Okanagan Gondola, Vernon, BC
Reports to: General Manager
Start: March – May 2026

Apply here: https://careers.risepeople.com/okanagan-gondola/en/14485_operations-manager

About the Okanagan Gondola

The Okanagan Gondola neighbors the city of Vernon, BC, and is expected to open in Spring 2027. The project will be a destination experience featuring a sightseeing gondola, trails, restaurants, outdoor experiences, and an adventure park. Guests can discover an elevated adventure, where breathtaking vistas paired with diverse activities bring guests of all ages together to enjoy the spirit, culture, and beauty of the Okanagan. The experience is rooted in place, offering guests a deep connection to the land, people, flavors and history of the Okanagan.

The Okanagan Gondola is being developed by Ridge North America, a tourism operator and developer headquartered in Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada, that specializes in a Play, Stay, Live development philosophy. A dynamic and innovative company dedicated to creating unforgettable experiences for our guests and team members, Ridge is building a diverse pipeline of adventure tourism, hospitality, and multi-family projects across growing markets in Western Canada.

Position Overview

The Operations Manager is a full-time, year-round position, and will oversee the safe, efficient, and guest‑centric operation of all on‑mountain and maintenance activities, including gondola operations (Doppelmayr), trails, mountain coaster, adventure‑park attractions, building & infrastructure maintenance. This role ensures operational readiness for our launch in 2027, regulatory compliance, maintenance coordination, team leadership, and outstanding guest experience year‑round.

Most important, this role is responsible for delivering the safe operation and transportation of guests, team members and stakeholders on gondola systems, in the great outdoors, and on various other attractions at Okanagan Gondola.

Pre‑launch, the Operations Manager will be present through the installation and commissioning of the Gondola, be involved in the construction of trails, viewpoints and many of the site’s amenities and activities. They will work to build their team ahead of launch, and on planning the site, facilities and team for operational readiness so that we can open our doors to guests in 2027 prepared and ready to deliver world class experiences.

Key Responsibilities

Gondola Operations

• Manage daily operation of the gondola systems and equipment.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant safety and regulatory standards (WorkSafe BC, Technical Safety BC, etc. and internal Standard Operating Procedures).
• Lead maintenance teams on preventive maintenance, repairs, and gondola safety inspections.
• Monitor system performance, downtime, incidents, and maintain accurate operational logs.
• Lead preparation and execution of seasonal openings, closures, and special servicing or inspections.
• Lead, train and develop lift maintenance, and lift operating teams.
• Guest and team safety will be your number one priority.

Mountain Activities & Adventure Attractions

• Oversee operations of all mountain‑based attractions: adventure park elements such as ziplines, high‑ropes courses, mountain coaster, hiking trails, viewing platforms, and other guest activities.
• Maintain rigorous safety standards, risk assessments, regular inspections and staff training protocols.
• Manage guest flow and capacity limits, especially during peak periods, to ensure safety and quality of experience.
• Oversee site logistics on behalf of all operating departments.
• Maintenance programs for all attraction elements.

Staff Leadership & Management

• Recruit, train, schedule, and supervise a team of frontline, trade and supervisory staff across all operational areas.
• Provide performance management, coaching, and professional development opportunities.
• Foster and maintain a strong safety culture among all mountain operations and adventure‑park staff.
• Ensure adequate staffing coverage for both seasonal peaks and off‑season periods.
• Direct responsibility for; trades, lift maintenance, building maintenance, landscaping & grounds, custodial, lift operations, attractions attendants, safety, parking attendants.

Guest Experience & Service Quality

• Ensure every guest interaction, from arrival at base, parking, gondola loading, throughout the mountain attractions, to departure, delivers a top‑tier guest experience.
• Handle guest incidents, service disruptions or safety concerns promptly and professionally.
• Work closely with Guest Services, Events, Food and Beverage, Retail teams, Marketing, Leadership and other departments to ensure seamless guest flow, servicing, and coordination.

Health, Safety & Compliance

• Develop, implement, and enforce health & safety programs in alignment with WorkSafeBC, industry standards, and internal safety policies.
• Conduct regular safety briefings, toolbox talks, emergency drills, and staff training (e.g., evacuation procedures, rescue protocols, first aid).
• Maintain all required documentation, inspection records, incident reports, and corrective‑action follow‑up.
• Participate in or lead incident investigations and make recommendations to prevent reoccurrence.
• Take ownership of the Emergency Response Plan (ERP) by ensuring it is maintained and current, team members are trained, and that emergency responses are properly documented.

Operational Planning & Administration

• Prepare and manage operational budgets, staffing plans, capital expenditure proposals, and maintenance forecasts.
• Track and report key performance indicators (KPIs): lift uptime, ridership/guest counts, staffing efficiency, guest satisfaction, incident rates, etc.
• Maintain and regularly update SOPs, training manuals, staff rosters, and procedural documentation.
• Participate in strategic planning for future expansions, new attractions, or infrastructure upgrades.
• Contribute to and lead capital upgrade projects as assigned.
• Maintain a fiscally responsible and adequate shelf‑stock of parts for all attraction elements to avoid unnecessary downtime.

Qualifications & Experience

Required

• Minimum 5 years’ experience in mountain operations, gondola operations, or comparable outdoor/adventure operations environment.
• Current Red Seal Millwright certification.
• Direct experience working with or managing operations of Doppelmayr or other gondola or lift systems.
• Strong knowledge of relevant safety standards, regulatory compliance (provincial and industry), and mountain‑resort operational protocols.
• Proven leadership skills and experience managing teams under fast‑paced and variable conditions.
• Mechanical aptitude and ability to collaborate with maintenance/engineering teams as well as make repairs when required.
• Excellent communication, decision‑making, and problem‑solving skills.
• Valid Class 5 driver’s license (or equivalent).
• Willingness to work outdoors year‑round in varying weather conditions; flexibility to work non‑standard hours including weekends, holidays, early mornings, and during events.

Preferred

• Experience with mountain coaster operations, adventure‑park attractions, or aerial/high‑ropes systems.
• Certifications such as Occupational First Aid Level 3, rope‑rescue training, or equivalent mountain emergency response training.
• Project management experience, especially involving infrastructure, lift systems, or mountain resort assets.

Desired Attributes

• Safety‑first, disciplined and detail oriented.
• Calm and effective under pressure; capable of making quick decisions in emergencies.
• Guest‑focused, service‑oriented, collaborative, and a team player & team builder.
• Strong leadership presence, with ability to motivate staff and build a positive workplace culture.
• Passion for mountain recreation, outdoor lifestyle, and delivering high‑quality guest experiences.

Employment Benefits

We offer an exciting and entrepreneurial work environment with terrific growth opportunities.

• Competitive Incentive Package
• Extended Health Benefits
• Employee Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Health Spending Account

Why Join Us

This is an opportunity to shape the creation and delivery of a landmark tourism experience in the heart of British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley. You will play a pivotal role in delivering a world‑class guest experience, keeping our people safe, creating joy, and setting the stage for long‑term success within Ridge North America’s growing portfolio of destinations.

If you’re ready to make your mark, build a high‑performing team, and join the leadership team launching a world‑class destination, we would love to meet you.