About the position
Lead one of the East Coast's largest and most dynamic mountain sports schools in this year-round leadership opportunity. Killington Resort and Pico Mountain are seeking a creative and passionate Mountain Sports School Director to oversee our expansive instructional operations spanning two distinct resorts and seasons. This role offers continuous engagement across winter skiing/snowboarding programs and summer downhill mountain biking instruction. As director, you'll lead a team of 500+ across both resorts, shaping the mountain experience for thousands of guests annually while fostering the next generation of skiing and riding enthusiasts. We're looking for a hands-on forward-thinking leader who prioritizes fun and safety while delivering exceptional learning experiences across our large-scale, multi-location operation. This role provides an opportunity to make your mark on an iconic Eastern mountain sports institution while enjoying year-round access to world-class mountain adventure. Depending on experience, this role may also include oversight of our year-round childcare center operations.
Responsibilities
- Provide strategic direction and operational leadership for all mountain sports school programs and teams
- Establish and maintain high standards for lesson quality, safety protocols, and staff/guest experience
- Oversee daily operations of all instructional programs, including scheduling, resource allocation, and staffing
- Manage departmental budgets, revenue goals, and expense controls to optimize profit contribution
- Prepare and analyze operational reports and metrics
- Build and maintain strong working relationships with other resort departments
- Maintain strong relationships with industry organizations (PSIA-AASI)
- Potentially oversee year-round childcare center operations
- Design, develop, and implement comprehensive lesson programming for all ability levels and age groups
- Continually optimize existing and develop new programs to meet evolving customer needs and market trends
- Innovate teaching methodologies and processes to enhance guest learning experiences
- Develop and implement effective retention strategies for both guests and instructors
- Coordinate with mountain operations to optimize learning environments
- Develop and implement instructor onboarding, mentoring and training programs
- Foster a positive and supportive work culture that promotes staff satisfaction
- Establish ongoing professional development opportunities including clinics, workshops, and certification support
- Implement recognition and incentive programs to celebrate instructor achievements
- Maintain open communication channels and regularly solicit staff feedback
- Advocate for staff needs while balancing business requirements
- Coordinate staff social events and team-building activities to build camaraderie
- Ensure exceptional guest experiences across all mountain sports school programs
- Implement effective systems for managing lesson assignments
- Resolve guest concerns and service recovery situations
- Analyze customer feedback to continuously improve program offerings
- Develop strategies to increase guest satisfaction, retention, and revenue
Requirements
- Minimum 5 years of progressive leadership experience in mountain sports school management
- Strong background in ski/snowboard instruction with current PSIA-AASI certification
- Ability to ski, snowboard, and mountain bike
- Minimum age of 21 years
- Clear communication skills and professional demeanor
- Proficiency with standard ski resort and business software
- Commitment to process improvement
- Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with changing priorities
- Exceptional team leadership, mentoring, and staff development skills
- Experience with analyzing data to drive business decisions
- Demonstrated success in growing lesson participation and revenue
Benefits
- Optional company subsidized medical, dental, vision, flexible spending account, health savings account, employer paid short term disability & long-term disability offerings
- 401(k) retirement plan (with company match up to 5%)
- Paid parental leave
- Paid time off, holiday and sick pay
- Free season pass for employee/dependents
- Privileges at several other resorts
- Several discount programs (i.e. food & beverage, retail/rental, friends & family tickets, etc.)
