Assistant Director of Mountain Operations

Anchoragechamber; Anchorage, Northern (AK, KY); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Hilltop Ski Area in Alaska seeks an ambitious Assistant Director of Mountain Operations to lead guest experience across the mountain, with oversight of Lift Operations, Ski Patrol, Terrain Parks, Bike Park, and events.

You will coordinate departments, drive safety culture, manage staffing and budgets, and ensure superb mountain presentation for guests, teams, and community partners year-round.

Qualifications

• Six+ years in ski areas, mountain resorts, or related operational environments.
• Three+ years of supervisory or leadership experience.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to pass a background check.
• Strong understanding of mountain operations, guest services, risk management.

Responsibilities

• Lead guest-experience strategy across the mountain.
• Coordinate Lift Operations, Ski Patrol, Terrain Parks, Bike Park, and Events.
• Oversee grounds, trails, signage, and mountain presentation for safety and appeal.
• Plan staffing, training, and resource allocation across seasons.
• Manage safety and risk programs, incident reviews, and emergency response.
• Support budgeting, leadership meetings, and long-range planning.

Skills

Six years exp

3+ years leadership

Driver's license

Background check

Mountain ops knowledge

Cross-functional leadership

Ski Patrol/Lift Ops

Leadership

Job description

Assistant Director of Mountain Operations

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.

Additional Postings available from Hilltop Ski Area