Director of Communications, West Region

Our mission is to create the Experience of a Lifetime for our employees, so they can, in turn, create the Experience of a Lifetime for our guests. We own and operate the most renowned destination resorts in the world as well as regional and local ski areas outside major cities, and connect them all through one unrivaled network. We are looking for ambitious leaders, innovators and creators to join our talented team. If you’re ready to pursue your fullest potential, we want to get to know you!

Candidates for year-round positions are reviewed on a rolling basis. Applications will be accepted up to 90 days after the posting date, or until the position is filled (whichever is first).

We are seeking a driven, high potential leader to be our Director of Communications for the West Region of Vail Resorts.

Vail Resorts is the world’s leading mountain resort operator, with 41 resorts in 15 states and four countries. The Communications Team is responsible for promoting Vail Resorts and its values; each of our world-class resorts; and the product that provides guests with unrivaled access to all of them, the Epic Pass. Our resort-based communications teams are divided into three regions: West, Rocky Mountain and East.

The Director of Communications, West role is a remote and/or hybrid position based out of the company’s corporate office. The person in this role will be charged with leading all efforts to promote and protect the reputation of Vail Resorts’ premier resort brands in the region, including Whistler Blackcomb, Heavenly, Northstar, Kirkwood and Stevens Pass, and will also include Comms support for the company’s three resorts in Australia. S/he will be a strategic communications leader who can drive a geographically diverse team toward achieving business objectives through effective and aligned communications and marketing efforts. The ideal candidate must be experienced in crisis communications as well as an effective and strategic storyteller. The Director will provide strategic communications counsel to the region’s leadership team to develop messaging (internal & external) to support both regional and corporate objectives.

This team is responsible for on-the-ground external communications and media relations, social media and content capture, crisis and issues management, and in-resort messaging.  In addition to experience in communications, the Director must demonstrate proficiency in marketing and business strategy. They will be responsible for developing and executing a communications strategy for the region that promotes the company’s strong regional network of resorts to guests as well as the value of the Epic Pass within the region. To ensure strategic alignment, the Director will work closely with the enterprise Public Affairs Team, the region’s Resort Brand Management Team, and the broader Vail Resorts Communications Team.

In addition to the role’s responsibility to the region, the Director will also serve on the Communications Leadership Team and will be central to driving communications strategy for Mountain Division initiatives that span across the company’s entire portfolio of resorts (e.g. guest safety initiatives, community stakeholder priorities, etc.).

Job Specifications

• Outlet: Corporate
• Shift & Schedule Availability: Year Round / Full Time
• The budgeted range starts at $145,000 - $160,000 + annual bonus + equity.  Actual pay will be adjusted based on experience.
• Other Specifics: Remote

Job Responsibilities

• Develop regional communications strategy and ensure brilliant execution through effective leadership and management of resort teams.
• Build and protect our company’s reputation in the region among guests and other stakeholders by mitigating risk and proactively telling the story of who we are and what we do.
• Act as a regional spokesperson on both proactive initiatives and through crisis communications and media train other internal stakeholders where necessary.
• Serve as the key communications resource for the region’s leaders and develop strategic messaging that supports the region’s goals internally and externally.
• Work closely with the Public Affairs, Resort Brand Management and Communications Teams to ensure alignment and execution of broader company strategies.
• Oversee the region’s social media strategy and channels to ensure optimization as a key communication tool.
• Drive communication strategy for broader Mountain Division initiatives, working cross-regionally and centrally to ensure alignment and scalability.
• Build relationships across the Mountain Division and corporate functions, including Marketing, Legal, Community Relations and HR. 
• Approach & Behavior—Cultural Characteristics 
  • Strong learning agility. Enjoys and excels in environments where he/she must tackle and solve new and increasingly complex strategic business challenges and issues—incorporating the newest ideas, technologies, and approaches to business. 
  • A brave, ambitious, and passionate leader who is comfortable in his/her own skin while also demonstrating a high level of emotional intelligence and self-awareness. 
  • Ability to effectively navigate through ambiguity; decides and acts without having the picture totally defined; appropriately changes strategy in response to new information.
  • Drives for results – makes things happen and conveys a sense of urgency.

Job Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in Journalism, Communications or Marketing.
• 10+ years of experience in an external communications or PR role, and experience with international companies and/or media is preferred.
• Skilled communicator, with proven experience in crisis communications and issues management
• Experience managing a team and driving results through effective leadership; strong desire to develop talent.
• Excellent writer able to draft nuanced communications on a variety of topics.
• Can develop strategy, demonstrate initiative and secure buy-in from stakeholders of all levels, including executive leadership.
• Well-versed with all forms of external communications channels, especially news media and social media.
• High emotional intelligence and relationship-building skills, including ability to work with people from various cultures and areas of the business; builds and maintains highly effective working relationships internally and externally.
• Team player – strives for collective success.

The expected Total Compensation for this role is $145,000 - $160,000 + annual bonus + equity. Individual compensation decisions are based on a variety of factors.
 

Job Benefits

• Ski/Mountain Perks! Free passes for employees, employee discounted lift tickets for friends and family AND free ski lessons
• MORE employee discounts on lodging, food, gear, and mountain shuttles
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Employee Assistance Program
• Excellent training and professional development

Full Time roles are eligible for the above, plus:

• Health Insurance; Medical Insurance, Dental Insurance, and Vision Insurance plans (for eligible seasonal employees after working 500 hours)
• Free ski passes for dependents
• Critical Illness and Accident plans

Employees can work remotely from British Columbia, Washington D.C., and the 16 U.S. states* in which we currently operate. This includes: California, Colorado, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New York, Nevada, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Utah, Vermont, Washington State, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

Please note that the ability to work in person or off-site, and the particulars related to such work, are subject to change at any time; and, accordingly, the Company reserves the right to change its policies and/or require in-person/in-office work or off-site work at any time in its sole discretion. 

In completing this application, and when submitting related documentation, applicants may redact information that identifies their age, date of birth, and/or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution. 

Vail Resorts is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status or any other status protected by applicable law.

Requisition ID  506381
Reference Date: 02/08/2024 
Job Code Function: com