Assistant Director of Operations - Yellowstone National Park

Xanterra Travel Collection; Wyoming; On-site; USD 81,000 - 99,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Housing provided

On-site meals

Free Yellowstone park pass

Referral bonus

Job summary

Xanterra, based in Yellowstone National Park, seeks an Assistant Director of Operations to lead regional and field teams across the park. You will drive guest experience, financial performance, and operational standards through strategic leadership, coaching, and collaboration with NPS partners.

This full-time, on-site role requires flexibility with hours, strong MS Office skills, and a track record of managing diverse operations teams in fast-paced environments.

Qualifications

• Business Management or Hospitality Degree or 3-5 years equivalent experience.
• Proven leadership, team-building skills, and ability to lead diverse teams.
• Proficient in MS Office Suite with advanced knowledge of Excel.
• Willingness to work a variety of hours including mornings, days, evenings, nights, weekends and holidays.
• On-call evening/night coverage may be required. Driver's license preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead Regional Managers of Operations and field teams to meet guest service and financial goals.
• Recruit, train and motivate Operations staff in coordination with the Executive Director.
• Develop and lead spring training program for field operations managers with Regional Managers.
• Coordinate with department directors and regional managers on seasonal management staffing.
• Improve efficiency of processes to maximize revenue and control costs park-wide.

Skills

Leadership

Team-building

Communication

Adaptability

Education

Business Management or Hospitality Degree

3-5 years equivalent experience

Tools

MS Office

Excel

Job description

Overview

Live. Work. Explore. as a part of our Operationsteam in Yellowstone National Park!

Are you enthusiastic about hospitality, people, and beautiful places? By working at Yellowstone National Park, you will get all three! Our activities department offers unique services to enhance our guests' experiences through guided tours and entertainment! We’re hiring an Assistant Director of Operations to Live. Work. Explore. in Yellowstone!

Job Summary

The Assistant Director of Operations provides strategic leadership and oversight for operations across Yellowstone, leading regional and field management teams to deliver exceptional guest experiences while achieving financial and operational goals. This role drives consistency, efficiency, and continuous improvement across park locations through strong leadership, labor and expense management, operational standards, and collaboration with internal teams and National Park Service partners. The Assistant Director also develops operational leaders and ensures teams are prepared to deliver Legendary Hospitality in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

The Details

• Position Type: Full-Time
• Pay: $90,000/year.

Life in Yellowstone

• Housing - Included - most employees find housing in Gardiner, MT, Emigrant, MT or Livingston, MT
• On-site employee meals (cafeteria-style) provided at low cost
• Free on-site laundry facility, Wi-Fi (limited bandwidth), and utilities included
• Free Yellowstone & Grand Teton National Park pass
• Employee Recreation Program (recreation centers, athletics, gear rentals, seminars, van trips, hiking, and more)
• Access to discounted services at Yellowstone Medical Clinics operated by STGi.
• Retail, Lodging and Travel Discounts
• $350 Referral Bonus Program

Benefits

• Xanterra offers competitive benefit programs and services for eligible employees. For more information, click here.

Responsibilities

Leadership & Strategy

• Effectively lead the Regional Managers of Operations and operations teams, through excellent interpersonal communication, continual development and positive coaching to achieve both financial and guest service objectives.
• In conjunction with the Executive Director, Operations, recruit, train, support and motivate members of the Operations department. Work with representatives from the corporate Talent Team toward the goal of hiring.
• Develop, maintain, and lead the training program for the field operations managers each spring. This is in conjunction with the Regional Managers of Operations.
• Cooperate with respective department directors and regional managers of operations on the selection, training and managing of key seasonal management personnel at all four properties.
• Continually seek improvement of efficiency in processes and procedures throughout all operations with the goal of maximizing revenues and improving standards of guest service while maintaining and/or reducing overall operating expenses
• As appropriate, serve as resource for department directors and/or contractors during non-operating seasons in the absence of regional managers for any area of the park operations.
• Ensure the processes and procedures used throughout the park operations are coordinated with the Executive Director, Operations, to maintain consistency throughout all Yellowstone locations.
• Ensure adherence to all established company policies and procedures throughout all Yellowstone locations.

Communication & Collaboration

• Ensure adherence to established guest service and as required, National Park Service, standards in all operations.
• Provide regular inspections, SOPs, and related follow-up with regional managers throughout park.
• Work closely with the Executive Director, Operations on all matters relating to the National Park Service within the park properties, including follow up on NPS evaluations.
• Continuously work to develop and strengthen relationships with local NPS personnel at all locations while ensuring compliance with contract related directives.
• May be required to be present for the duration of any National Park Service evaluations, Public Health Inspections or any other formal audit taking place at the properties during the summer and winter operations.
• Work with the Executive Director, Operations and Director, Sustainability, to ensure compliance with Xanterra’s Softer Footprint program.
• This position may be required to be representative for Operations to the YES (Yellowstone Environmental Stewardship) council and Parkwide Safety Committee.

Financial & Administrative

• Responsible for the continuous management of labor expenses, through accurate forecasting, scheduling and day-to-day monitoring, to meet guest service standards while simultaneously ensuring the most effective use of labor resources across all departments and properties in Yellowstone.
• Responsible for continuously monitoring and controlling all other expenses in accordance with established financial plans and operating standards for all Yellowstone properties.
• Ensure timely and accurate reporting of required information

Other

• Other duties assigned by the Executive Director, Operations. This may include working in other departments or filling in for vacant roles or departments needing assistance.
• Required Qualifications:
• Business Management or Hospitality Degree or 3-5 years equivalent experience.
• Proven leadership, team-building skills, and ability to lead diverse teams.
• Ability to work within a fast paced and quickly changing environment.
• Proficient in MS Office Suite with advanced knowledge of Excel.
• This position will be expected to work a variety of hours including mornings, days, evenings, nights (graveyard shifts are possible), weekends, and holidays as necessary. This position may be required to fill in for other management positions on property as needed.
• This position will be required to be on call for evening and nighttime coverage of their property. During these times, Location Management will be required to respond to all guest concerns, and in the absence of on-call HR/Housing Management, respond to any employee issues in Company housing.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Business Management or Hospitality Degree or 3-5 years equivalent experience.
• Proven leadership, team-building skills, and ability to lead diverse teams.
• Ability to work within a fast paced and quickly changing environment.
• Proficient in MS Office Suite with advanced knowledge of Excel.
• This position will be expected to work a variety of hours including mornings, days, evenings, nights (graveyard shifts are possible), weekends, and holidays as necessary. This position may be required to fill in for other management positions on property as needed.
• This position will be required to be on call for evening and nighttime coverage of their property. During these times, Location Management will be required to respond to all guest concerns, and in the absence of on-call HR/Housing Management, respond to any employee issues in Company housing.

Preferred Qualifications

• 3-5 years restaurant/retail/hotel management experience.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Proficient in MS Office Suite with advanced knowledge of Excel.
• Knowledge of company structure and policies helpful.
• Experience with revenue and labor management tools and software.
• A valid driver’s license and clean driving record preferred.

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to lift items up to 30 pounds.
• Must be able to walk and/or stand a minimum of 30 minutes at a time.
• Must be able to kneel or lay flat on the ground to inspect beneath beds, kitchen lines, and beneath furniture.
• Must be able to climb stairs
• Must be able to walk on uneven terrain, including icy and snow-covered areas.
• Must be able to remain seated for periods of 30-120 minutes or longer.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.