Executive Director of Operations

Overview

At Yellowstone National Park Lodges, we depend on our team members to help guests find their ultimate Yellowstone experience—all while working to protect and preserve the park for future generations. No matter what your job is, you will be a proud steward of the park. You will play an essential role in providing warm and friendly hospitality to all our guests.

We are currently seeking a driven Executive Director of Operations to join our dedicated leadership team.   This crucial role will support the operational and financial goals for the Yellowstone National Park operations of Xanterra Parks & Resorts.

Why Choose Yellowstone National Park Lodges

We are a welcoming community who work hard, share a real passion for the environment, and enjoy crafting memorable experiences for our guests. As part of the Xanterra Travel Collection, we the primary authorized concessioner in Yellowstone, and as such, we are proud stewards of the park..

Responsibilities

• This position has full responsibility and authority for meeting or exceeding the operational and financial objectives of the following departments of Xanterra Parks & Resorts, Yellowstone Park Division.

• Lodging Department; approximately 2,300 hotel rooms and 1,800 campground and RV sites across Yellowstone, commercial laundry including uniform distribution, and rate development.
• Food & Beverage Department; multiple levels of visitor dining options, employee feeding, menu design and costing, inventory control, and financial analysis.
• Retail Department; Nine retail outlets, inventory control, and revenue management.
• Support Services Department; Marina, horse, and transportation activities for guests and employees, back of house support functions including furniture repair and inventory, print shop, lost and found, service center, mail distribution, and other varied supporting needs.
• Learning and Development; Assist with development and execution of training of seasonal field employees and full time staff that support the Yellowstone operation.
• Purchasing Department; Oversight of multiple warehouses that support Yellowstone by ensuring corporate purchasing programs and initiatives are followed. Assist with inventory audits as needed to minimize excessive spending.  Coordinate purchasing across all Yellowstone departments to maximize financial resources. 
• Operations Department; Oversight of Regional and Location Management teams responsible for day to day management and oversight of field operations.

• This position is responsible for acting on behalf of the General Manager in his/her absence.
• Creating and maintaining an excellent relationship with the corporate office while implementing corporate initiatives into the Yellowstone operation.
• This position is responsible for developing, reviewing, approving, and achieving operating budgets on an annual basis.
• This position is responsible for cultivating and maintaining an excellent client relationship with the National Park Service while ensuring compliance with contract related directives.
• This position is responsible for maintaining good corporate citizenship with the local community and surrounding gateway communities. Ideally, this position will serve on at least one board or community supporting position.
• Incorporate COI practices into management of departmental responsibilities.
• This position is responsible for collection, analysis, coordination, distribution of visitor comments and managing replies as appropriate.
• In conjunction with the General Manager, assist in the development of annual Capital Plan and associated projections.
• Effectively lead management teams through excellent interpersonal communication, continual development and positive coaching to achieve both financial and internal/external guest service objectives.
• Work with appropriate departments to ensure standards in employee accommodations and employee dining rooms are meeting expectations.
• In conjunction with Human Resources, recruit, train, support and motivate members of the Operations department.
• Coordinate with respective department directors on the selection, training, and development of key seasonal department management personnel for the park.
• Work with Directors and department manages to improve employee retention.
• 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 the region.
• Conduct regular inspections of seasonal properties and follow up with the operations team in each region to ensure company expectations are being met.
• Review and create action plans for improving guest satisfaction scores across departments in the region.
• Work with Directors and department managers to review and create action plans for improving employee satisfaction scores across departments in the region.
• Continually seek improvement of efficiencies 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.
• Ensure timely and accurate reporting of required information.
• Participate in design and construction meetings for projects related to Xanterra Yellowstone.
• Serve as a resource and liaison for our park partners and other concessioners that operate in the region.
• Adherence to all established company policies and procedures. Work with the appropriate people when there is a need to change or improve a policy or procedure.
• Work with the Director, Sustainability and other departments to ensure compliance with Xanterra’s Softer Footprint program.
• Work with the Director, Risk Management and property personnel to ensure compliance with company regulations and follow up on workers’ compensation claims and inspections.
• This position will be required to work a varied schedule which can include evenings, graveyard/overnight shifts, weekends, and holidays to ensure operations are functioning to company standards.
• All other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Excellent Leadership Skills.
• Interpersonal Communication Skills.
• Organizational/Time Management Skills.
• Financial Analysis Skills.
• Budgeting Skills.
• Knowledge of Accounting Procedures.
• Strategic Planning Skills.
• Thorough knowledge of National Park Service - philosophies, practices, and procedures.
• Thorough knowledge and understanding of the National Park Service's "NPS-48 Concessions Management Guidelines".
• Knowledge of applicable laws pertaining to concessions contracts in national parks.
• Thorough understanding of all operating departments within the Yellowstone Park Division.
• Complete understanding of Yellowstone's summer and winter operations.
• Thorough understanding of Yellowstone's developed areas and facilities assigned to Xanterra Parks & Resorts.
• Position requires a valid driver’s license.
• Business Management, Hospitality Degree, or related certification preferred.
• Full service hospitality management experience required.
• 5-7 years equivalent experience within Yellowstone or Xanterra Operations preferred

Perks

• Vacation, Holiday and Sick Leave
• Health, life and other insurance benefits
• 401k
• Free Employee Recreation Program (hiking, photography, camping, wildlife watching, and more!)
• Discounts in and around Yellowstone

Live. Work. Explore. Yellowstone National Park Is Naturally Different

At Yellowstone National Park Lodges, we are a welcoming community who work hard, share a passion for the environment, and enjoy creating memorable experiences for our guests. We are the primary concessionaire in Yellowstone National Park. As part of the Xanterra Travel Collection family, we embrace a “naturally different” lifestyle that allows you to live, work, and explore one of the most beautiful places on earth. We are a company based on values that reflect an environmental ethic and social conscience – for the long-term. Our business practices exemplify environmental stewardship, and a desire to protect and preserve our public lands.

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 status as a protected veteran.