Mountain Operations Director

MOUNTAIN CAPITAL PARTNERS LLC•Sandia Park, NM

11d•Onsite

About The Position

Sandia Peak Ski Area is seeking a Director of Mountain Operations to manage daily operations and lead capital projects that will shape the resort's future. This role involves both hands-on troubleshooting and strategic planning, including managing lift maintenance, snowmaking, grooming, and capital improvements. The position offers the opportunity to make a significant impact on a historic resort with the support of Mountain Capital Partners.

Requirements

Hands-on management experience in at least one of the following areas of ski area mountain operations: Lift maintenance, grooming, snowmaking, or vehicle maintenance.
Lift maintenance experience to at least the level of an apprentice lift maintenance mechanic or electrician.
Experience with snowmaking.
Demonstrated project management ability — planning, budgeting, and delivering projects on time and on budget.
Ability to work effectively with the U.S. Forest Service (or comparable land-management / regulatory partners).
An ownership mindset.
High agency — you make things happen.
Hands-on technical credibility paired with the ability to plan and lead.
Exceptional leadership and communication.
Comfort navigating complexity: USFS coordination, capital projects, safety and compliance (OSHA / ANSI B77), and seasonal labor dynamics.

Nice To Haves

Experience leading large capital projects in a ski resort setting.
Lift maintenance experience to at least the Journeyman mechanic or electrician level.
Snowmaking experience to at least the Snowmaking Manager level.
Grooming experience.
Hands-on management experience across two or more mountain operations areas.
P&L / budget ownership experience.
Bachelor's degree or higher in business, management, engineering, or a related field.

Responsibilities

Live and lead MCP's mission and culture.
Lead all mountain operations departments including lift maintenance, snowmaking, grooming, lift operations, ski patrol, and vehicle maintenance with hands-on expertise.
Build, mentor, and develop a strong operations team.
Set department budgets, operating plans, and KPIs and own the results.
Ensure the mountain is safe and compliant with OSHA and ANSI B77 standards.
Lead the planning and execution of capital improvement projects from start to finish, including lift replacements/upgrades, snowmaking expansion, and terrain/infrastructure work.
Own scope, budget, schedule, and delivery for capital projects, managing contractors, vendors, and engineers.
Partner with MCP leadership to translate the long-term growth vision into a buildable plan.
Serve as the operational liaison with the U.S. Forest Service for permitting, master development plan implementation, environmental compliance, and project execution.
Develop policies and procedures to reduce liability and increase efficiency.