Director of Mountain Operations
Job Title: Director of Mountain Operations
Department: Operations
Reports To: Chief Resort Operations & Development (CROD)
Location: (Lutsen Mountains, Snowriver, Granite Peak)
Status: Full-Time, Year-Round
Compensation:
- Salary: $90,000-100,000 per year
Benefits: 401K | Health, Dental, & Vision Insurance | HSA (Health Savings Account) | FTO (Flexible Time Off) | Sick Time | Season Pass
TO APPLY: Email your resume to Caitlin@midwestfamilyskiresorts.com
Seat Overview
The Director of Mountain Operations leads all physical systems and infrastructure that power resort operations. This executive role is responsible for the planning, maintenance, reliability, and execution of the mountain environment — including lifts, snowmaking, grooming, fleet, facilities, terrain, and safety systems.
As a core member of the resort leadership team, this seat stewards the Infrastructure & Expense branch and ensures the mountain operates safely, efficiently, and at peak readiness throughout the season. While much of the work is operational and behind the scenes, the impact is directly visible in lift uptime, terrain quality, guest safety, and long-term capital sustainability.
This role requires strong technical leadership, disciplined execution, capital stewardship, and proactive risk management.
Seat Core Purpose
To ensure all mountain systems and infrastructure operate safely, reliably, and efficiently — enabling seamless resort operations, protecting capital assets, and delivering consistent mountain readiness.
Core Accountabilities
- Lead Planning, Maintenance & Execution of All Physical Resort System: Provide strategic and day-to-day leadership across all infrastructure departments to ensure operational reliability and readiness.
- Ensure Mountain Systems Operate Safely, Efficiently & Reliably: Maintain lift uptime, snow quality, terrain access, and facility functionality to meet operating standards and guest expectations.
- Steward Capital Assets Through Strategic Planning & SOP Discipline: Protect and optimize the lifecycle of lifts, snowmaking systems, fleet, facilities, and infrastructure through proactive planning and preventive maintenance.
- Protect Resort Assets & Enable Operations Through Infrastructure Excellence: Ensure all systems support safe, high-performing resort operations across seasonal and peak demand periods.
- Implement SOP Standardization for Safety & Maintenance (as Generated by Legal): Uphold and operationalize standardized procedures, safety programs, and regulatory compliance measures across all mountain departments.
- Collaborate with Development on Long-Term Infrastructure Planning: Support expansion projects and capital improvements through feasibility planning, capacity assessments, and readiness strategies.
- Maintain Terrain Readiness, Snow Quality & Lift Uptime: Ensure consistent daily operating standards across terrain surfaces, snowmaking coverage, grooming quality, and lift performance.
- Drive Continuous Improvement in Safety, Reliability & Capital ROI: Lead initiatives that increase system performance, reduce downtime, improve safety culture, and maximize return on infrastructure investments.
Departments Under Direct Oversight
- Snowmaking & Snowmaking Maintenance
- Grooming
- Terrain Parks
- Lift Operations & Lift Maintenance
- Vehicle & Fleet Maintenance
- Facilities Maintenance
- Housekeeping
Qualifications
- Required
- 7+ years of leadership experience in resort operations, mountain systems, infrastructure, or facilities management
- Demonstrated expertise in lift operations, snowmaking systems, fleet management, and capital asset maintenance
- Strong understanding of safety regulations, compliance standards, and mechanical systems
- Experience leading multidisciplinary operational teams
- Proven ability to manage capital planning and preventive maintenance systems
- Preferred
- Multi-resort or destination resort leadership experience
- Experience implementing standardized SOP systems across locations
- Capital project planning and expansion experience
- Familiarity with EOS or accountability-based leadership structures
What Success Looks Like
- Lift uptime, terrain quality, and snow coverage consistently meet or exceed internal benchmarks
- Minimal unplanned downtime during operating season
- Strong safety record with proactive risk mitigation
- Capital assets maintained within lifecycle targets and budget
- Preventive maintenance systems consistently executed
- Clear operational readiness for peak periods and weather events
- Strong partnership with the Director of Guest Operations, resulting in aligned communication, coordinated peak-day execution, and unified operational response
Culture Fit
- The Director of Mountain Operations thrives in a technically complex, weather-driven, and high-accountability environment. This leader:
- Leads with calm authority during operational challenges
- Values discipline, process, and preventive action
- Takes ownership of infrastructure performance
- Communicates clearly across technical and non-technical teams
- Builds a strong safety culture
- Balances long-term capital thinking with daily execution realities
Work Environment
- On-site leadership required with regular presence in mountain environments and operational areas.
- Ability to work flexible hours including weekends, holidays, and during weather events.
- Physical capacity to access all skiable terrain, mechanical systems, and outdoor work environments on skis/snowboard, foot and/or via a variety of all-terrain vehicles.
Disclaimer: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. This is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required. All employees may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities as needed. In addition, as we are a recreational business, availability on peak holiday timeframes and weekends is required.
Disclaimer: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. This is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required. All employees may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities as needed. In addition, as we are a recreational business, availability on peak holiday timeframes and weekends is required.
