Manager, Adult & Private Lesson Programs

Role overview

This position leads the Private Lesson program within the Ski and Snowboard School and combines on-hill passion with people leadership. The manager is responsible for day-to-day program administration, staff coordination, guest service, and helping shape both immediate operations and long-term program growth.

What the role covers

The core focus is to oversee all private lesson activities, ensure smooth operations, and support a high-performing team. The role calls for strong leadership, careful administrative follow-through, and a polished guest-facing presence.

Key duties

• Keep all records for the Private Lesson program accurate, confidential, and completed on time.
• Recommend future pricing approaches and propose new program ideas.
• Suggest training programs for the upcoming season.
• Track revenue activity and help the program stay on or above budget.
• Oversee Private Premier elements such as swag, lesson assignments, program development, and corporate partnerships.
• Ensure every employee receives an annual performance review.
• Manage labor and expense ratios along with operational setup.
• Assign instructors based on established guidelines.
• Help review and approve staff wages and incentive compensation.
• Attend daily instructor lineups and morning meetings when required.
• Supervise Supervisors to make sure staffing, schedules, and private lesson assignments are handled properly.
• Monitor employee performance to identify errors and improve efficiency.
• Handle staff and guest concerns with professionalism and empathy.
• Maintain a polished appearance that reflects the brand at the highest standard.
• Coordinate with Sales and other managers to maximize retail inventory.
• Promote company policies and gain staff buy-in through positive communication.
• Communicate with staff every day.
• Set the standard for company goals and expectations.
• Demonstrate excellent guest service and professional instruction.
• Train sales staff on Ski & Snowboard School products and program structure.
• Complete all required administrative tasks each day.
• Explain and enforce safety rules, protocols, and regulations.
• Attend department-wide and company-wide meetings as needed.
• Participate in training clinics and events to keep PSIA/AASI certification current.
• Continue improving teaching and riding skills to better support staff and guests.
• Respond quickly and professionally to lesson incidents and accidents.
• Prepare paperwork accurately and on time.
• Create and maintain the instructor priority system and pay matrix.
• Deliver a guest experience that goes beyond expectations.
• Support sustainability and safety initiatives.
• Follow company policies and procedures.
• Observe and follow the Skier Responsibility Code and Colorado Skier Safety Act.

Supervision

This role manages 1 Assistant Manager and a team of 100 to 120 employees within the Private Lesson programs. It includes responsibility for overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of the programs, plus interviewing, hiring, training, scheduling, directing work, reviewing performance, recognizing strong performance, addressing disciplinary issues, and resolving complaints and operational problems.

Qualifications and experience

The ideal candidate should be able to perform the duties of the role successfully and consistently. Reasonable accommodation may be provided for qualified individuals with disabilities.

• A strong enthusiasm for skiing or snowboarding, paired with the ability to share that enthusiasm with others.
• Active support for PSIA/AASI and its benefits.
• Solid communication, planning, and leadership ability.
• A consistently professional manner and presentation.
• Working knowledge of relevant philosophies and approaches.
• Ability to evaluate suggestions fairly and collaborate as part of a team.
• Capability to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to operate within budget limits.

Experience and knowledge

At least 5 seasons of related experience are preferred, along with prior management or supervisory experience.

The role requires the ability to read and interpret safety rules, operating instructions, maintenance directions, and procedure manuals; write routine reports and correspondence; and speak effectively before groups of guests or employees.

Math duties include calculating discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume.

Reasoning requirements include solving practical problems, handling varied real-world situations with limited standardization, interpreting instructions in written, verbal, diagram, or schedule form, staying calm in conflict, and carrying out disciplinary action when necessary under company policy even when personal relationships exist.

Strong computer skills are essential. Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, and Word, is required. Basic familiarity with RTP, HTML, and social media is preferred, and ProCard experience is an advantage.

Certifications and ability requirements

• Minimum PSIA/AASI Level 2 certification.
• Ability to use ski and snowboard equipment such as boots, bindings, poles, skis, and snowboards.
• Ability to ski or snowboard at an advanced level on advanced terrain.
• Availability to work extra days and holidays as business needs require.
• Ability to perform effectively at elevations of 10,000 feet or higher.
• Ability to work in severe or changing weather conditions.

Physical demands

The job regularly requires standing, walking, and listening. It frequently involves using the hands and arms to handle, feel, or reach, and occasionally requires sitting. The employee must be able to lift and/or move up to 50 lbs regularly and up to 100 lbs frequently. Vision requirements include close, distance, color, peripheral, depth perception, and focus adjustment.

Work environment

This position is performed outdoors and regularly involves exposure to weather conditions. The work setting is usually moderately noisy. The environment is expected to be fun, challenging, and accountable, with a focus on helping staff thrive professionally and grow personally.

Benefits

• Access to group health insurance.
• Unrestricted full employee season pass plus dependent season passes.
• Discounts at selected resort retail locations.
• Discounts on lessons for friends and family.
• Competitive compensation structure with PTO and vacation accrual.
• Real Deal lift tickets offering complimentary skiing at many Colorado resorts.
• $50 lift tickets at Vail Resort-owned ski areas.
• Employee shuttle transportation to and from nearby towns.
• Reimbursement of PSIA/AASI certification exam fees.
• For full-time employees: group health coverage including medical, dental, vision, life, and AD&D, plus 401(k) match, flexible spending, paid time off, and a mix of vacation and sick time.
• Additional benefits include ski pass, dependent passes for full-time roles, discounted lift tickets, lift tickets at other Colorado resorts, discounted employee shuttles, discounted meals and lodging, and ski school discounts.

Hiring conditions

A successful job offer will be followed by a post-offer, pre-employment background check. Failing to disclose prior history, including felony convictions and serious misdemeanors, may make the applicant ineligible for employment. Serious misdemeanors may include violent crimes and offenses involving honesty or integrity such as perjury or theft.

Compensation

The pay range for this role is $2,500 to $2,750 paid every two weeks, depending on experience and other factors.