Summary
Description
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).
Job Summary:
Vail Resorts is the world’s leading mountain resort operator, with 42 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.
We are hiring a Sr. Director of Corporate & Employee Communications to lead corporate communication efforts for Vail Resorts in order to promote and protect the company and engage the organization. A significant responsibility will be reimagining and executing an employee communications strategy to better connect with the company’s 55,000 employees with the goal of driving alignment, engagement, and retention. Additionally, this person will develop strategy to advance the company’s reputation externally through proactive storytelling, thought leadership, and awards, as well as protecting its reputation through reactive issues management.
The right candidate should be a driven, passionate, strategic, and out-front leader looking to work in a fast-paced, growing company.
The Sr. Director of Communications reports to the Vice President of Communications and will be an active player on the communications leadership team as well as a critical business partner to the HR department and executive team. The position currently has two direct reports.
Job Responsibilities:
- Strategic thought partner to company leadership and HR on company priorities and initiatives, providing communications counsel and strategy.
- Develop and scale an employee communications strategy designed to serve geographically diverse employees across four countries, in alignment with the company’s Epic Service leadership culture.
- Lead company announcements internally and externally, including on strategic acquisitions.
- Elevate Vail Resorts’ reputation through proactive and strategic earned media, thought leadership and awards/accolades.
- Protect the company’s reputation through strategic communications and crisis and issues management.
- Elevate visibility of company executives both internally and externally through executive communications strategy.
- Drive awareness of Vail Resorts’ values-driven ESR work, including its environmental sustainability program, Commitment to Zero; its inclusive access program, Epic for Everyone; its community and employee giving program, Epic Promise; and its Epic Wellness program designed to support employees’ mental health.
Job Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in Journalism, Communications or Marketing.
- 12+ years of experience in Communications with experience driving both internal and external communications teams.
- Can develop strategy, demonstrate initiative and secure buy-in from stakeholders of all levels, including executive leadership.
- Proven leadership experience managing internal and external teams as well as budgets to achieve success.
- Excellent writer able to draft nuanced communications on a variety of topics; skilled communicator, with proven experience in crisis communications and issues management.
- Well-versed in all forms of external communications channels, especially news media and social media.
- Passion for leadership and developing high impact teams.
- 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.
- 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 $175,000 – $185,000 + 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
Vail Resorts offers a ‘Hybrid’ work environment where employees living within 50 miles of the Broomfield office work on-site Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and have flexibility to work off-site on Mondays and Fridays. Employees living outside of a commutable distance 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.
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.
