Manager: Competition Services

Vail Resorts • Dover, VT

3d • $58,298 - $83,283 • Onsite

About The Position

The Winter Seasonal Competitions Services Manager functions as a business and operational leader responsible for oversight of the Mount Snow winter weekend Competitions Services Department. This role provides strategic leadership, operational management, financial oversight, and people development across all weekend Development and Competitions programs, ensuring exceptional athlete, guest, and employee experiences while delivering on resort and organizational objectives.
The manager is responsible for the overall success of the department, leading an Assistant Manager, 5-8 Head Coaches, and approximately 90-110 seasonal coaches. This includes responsibility for staffing, financial planning, program quality, athlete development, safety, risk management, guest satisfaction, and cross-functional collaboration throughout the resort and across Vail Resorts Competitions Services leadership teams.
Successful candidates are passionate leaders who combine strong business acumen with exceptional people leadership skills, a commitment to athlete development, and the ability to execute complex operations in a dynamic mountain environment.

Requirements

• Demonstrated leadership experience managing large teams in a hospitality, recreation, ski industry, youth sports, or athletic development environment.
• Proven talent management and workforce planning experience.
• Strong financial acumen including budgeting, forecasting, labor management, and expense control.
• Experience with staffing strategy, recruiting, scheduling optimization, and employee retention initiatives.
• Exceptional guest service and relationship management skills.
• Experience managing parent, athlete, and guest interactions in a professional and service-oriented manner.
• Strong communication, organizational, and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to work independently while effectively collaborating within larger organizational structures.
• Demonstrated ability to lead through influence and build consensus among diverse stakeholder groups.
• Ability to make informed decisions under pressure in dynamic operational environments.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to work outdoors in varying winter weather conditions.
• Flexibility to work weekends, holidays, and peak operating periods throughout the season.

Nice To Haves

• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Microsoft Teams.
• Understanding of PSIA-AASI education pathways, certifications, credentialing standards, and professional development programs.
• Understanding of USASA programming, event structures, participation pathways, and coach credentialing requirements.
• Understanding of U.S. Ski & Snowboard programming, competition pathways, and certification standards.
• Experience leading ski, snowboard, race, freestyle, freeski, or athlete development programs.
• Prior experience managing large seasonal teams within a ski resort environment.
• SafeSport Certification.
• Previous experience within Vail Resorts or comparable mountain resort operations.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership, direction, and accountability for all members of the Competitions Services leadership and coaching teams.
• Recruit, hire, onboard, train, develop, schedule, supervise, and evaluate coaching staff.
• Foster a culture of safety, accountability, guest service, teamwork, inclusion, and continuous improvement.
• Develop future leaders through mentorship, coaching, succession planning, and professional development opportunities.
• Conduct ongoing performance management, feedback, recognition, and corrective action when necessary.
• Lead department meetings, seasonal planning initiatives, and leadership development efforts.
• Oversee all weekend Mount Snow Development and Competitions programs.
• Ensure consistent program delivery aligned with resort standards, Vail Resorts expectations, and athlete development goals.
• Partner with Mountain Operations, Ski Patrol, Events, Lift Operations, Grooming, Ski & Ride School, and Resort Leadership teams to support program success.
• Lead operational planning and execution for competitions, training events, race operations, camps, and athlete development experiences.
• Coordinate with governing bodies and event organizers to ensure seamless execution of competitions and athlete participation.
• Develop, manage, and execute annual departmental operating budgets.
• Monitor department financial performance and identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency and profitability.
• Forecast labor costs, staffing requirements, and operational expenses throughout the season.
• Manage payroll oversight, budget adherence, purchasing, and departmental spending controls.
• Support revenue optimization initiatives through program growth, enrollment management, and athlete retention strategies.
• Analyze business performance metrics and establish action plans to achieve departmental goals.
• Develop seasonal recruiting strategies to attract high-performing coaches and leaders.
• Build workforce plans that support operational needs, business goals, and athlete-to-coach ratios.
• Drive coach retention through engagement initiatives, development opportunities, and effective leadership.
• Optimize staff scheduling to balance guest experience, athlete development, labor efficiency, and operational performance.
• Ensure proper staffing levels for all programs, events, and competitions.
• Lead proactive risk management initiatives throughout all competitions and development programs.
• Ensure compliance with resort policies, Vail Resorts procedures, state regulations, and applicable governing body requirements.
• Develop and execute emergency action plans for training venues, competitions, and department operations.
• Promote coach and athlete safety standards through education, accountability, and operational oversight.
• Manage incident documentation, investigation support, communication, and follow-up processes.
• Partner with Ski Patrol, Risk Management, and resort leadership to maintain a safe operating environment.
• Serve as the primary escalation point for athlete, parent, and guest concerns.
• Build strong relationships with athletes, families, coaches, and community stakeholders.
• Deliver exceptional guest service experiences that drive loyalty, retention, and positive program outcomes.
• Lead customer service recovery efforts and resolution of complex issues.
• Promote a positive culture centered on athlete achievement, family engagement, and community connection.
• Manage travel planning, budgeting, logistics, and payment processes for coaches traveling with athletes.
• Coordinate lodging, transportation, staffing assignments, registrations, and operational support for off-site competitions and events.
• Ensure compliance with travel policies and budget expectations.
• Support athlete participation pathways through effective competition scheduling and logistical planning.
• Collaborate with Competitions Services leaders throughout Vail Resorts to share and implement best practices.
• Participate in resort leadership initiatives, business planning efforts, and organizational development programs.
• Build productive partnerships across resort departments to drive operational excellence.
• Communicate effectively with leadership teams, employees, athletes, guests, and external partners.

Benefits

• Ski/Mountain Perks! Free passes for employees, employee discounted lift tickets for friends and family AND free ski lessons
• MORE employee discounts on lodging, food, gear, and mountain shuttles
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Employee Assistance Program
• Excellent training and professional development
• Referral Program

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: No Education Listed