Executive Director Operations

Overview

 

Live. Work. Explore. as a part of our Operations team in Yellowstone National Park!

 

Job Summary:

The Executive Director of Operations is responsible for leading and optimizing Yellowstone National Park's hospitality and support operations, including lodging, food and beverage, retail, transportation, purchasing, learning and development, and support services. This executive role oversees operational performance, financial results, guest and employee satisfaction, budget management, and workforce planning across one of the nation's largest park hospitality operations. The position serves as a key strategic partner to the Vice President/General Manager, acting on their behalf when needed, while maintaining strong relationships with the National Park Service, community stakeholders, and corporate leadership. Successful candidates will drive operational excellence, develop high-performing teams, and implement initiatives that enhance guest experiences, employee engagement, efficiency, and long-term business results.

 

 

Why Yellowstone National Park?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 are the primary authorized concessionaire in Yellowstone, and proud stewards of the park.

 

 

Benefits:

• Medical, Dental, Vision
• Paid Time Off and Holidays
• Disability Insurance
• 401k with match
• Life and AD&D Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Wellness Programs
• Learning and Development Programs

Perks:

• Free Yellowstone National Park pass
• Free Employee Recreation Program (recreation centers, athletics, gear rentals, seminars, van trips, hiking, and more).
• Employee discounts at local gateway communities
• Access to maintained campgrounds and back country campsites inside and around the park
• Retail, Lodging and Travel Discounts
• Planned employee trips and activities
• The adventure of a lifetime!

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 Assistant Director, responsible for day-to-day management and oversight of field operations.

• This position is responsible for acting on behalf of the Vice President/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 Vice President/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 managers 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 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 efficiency 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.
• Other duties as requested by the Vice President/General Manager.

Qualifications

• 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
• Valid driver’s license.
• 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.

 

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to sit for long periods of time – 60% of workday    
• Ability to work in a higher altitude environment – 100% of the workday
• Ability to climb stairs – 5% of workday
• Ability to lift boxes of materials of 30 – 50 lbs. – 5% of workday
• Ability to walk, reach, stand, sit, crawl, and lift as necessary to perform job duties as noted. 

 

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 veteran status.