Director of Operations

What perks can you expect?:

• A full suite of benefits, including flexible time off and a 401k contribution matching plan
• Work in a dynamic, culturally diverse team from around the globe
• Work experience in an iconic, unforgettable, and inspiring location
• Discounts at our hotels, restaurants, attractions and retail. 
• Access to subsidized mental health and wellness resources
• Opportunities for career growth or future work at other Pursuit locations 

What will be your daily pursuit?:

The Director of Operations for Pursuit’s Alaska Collection is a key member of a collaborative and entrepreneurial senior management team. Reporting directly to the Vice President and General Manager for the Alaska Collection, the Director of Operations is responsible for the onsite leadership and advancement of our lodging, restaurants, and attractions. This role plays a pivotal part in transforming guest hospitality, enhancing employee engagement, and driving daily operations, financial performance, and community involvement. 

What will you do in this job?:

• Strategic Collaboration: Partner with the VP, Director of Health, Safety & Environment (HSE), and the Director of Maintenance & Engineering on developing and executing strategies, business plans, and goals for the Alaska Collection.
• Operational Leadership: Lead the operations managers across lodgings, attractions, and other ancillary businesses to achieve key performance indicators, including financial goals, guest satisfaction, employee engagement, and community involvement. Promote and lead a safety-first culture in all areas of operations.
• Team Empowerment: Provide leadership and coaching that fosters a solution-driven, continuously improving team culture.
• Talent Development: Collaborate with People & Culture (P&C) to meet staffing objectives, improve employee retention, and cultivate internal talent.
• Hands-On Leadership: Engage directly with details, processes, and procedures to identify issues, implement solutions, and drive operational improvements.
• Guest Experience Transformation: Oversee and guide efforts to enhance and transform the guest experience.
• Tourism Relationship Building: Develop and maintain strong relationships within the Alaska tourism industry to support the state as a premier destination.
• Operational Oversight: Regularly conduct walk-throughs of lodging, restaurant, and attraction facilities to inspire and lead on-the-ground leadership.
• Asset Management: Partner with the Director of Engineering & Maintenance to advance the management and improvement of physical assets.
• Accountability & Controls: Implement controls to ensure accountability, identify risks, and seize opportunities within operations.
• Financial Reporting: Provide regular reports on financial performance, including month-end results, future expense forecasts, and contributions to annual budget development.
• Communication with Leadership: Report business needs, operational challenges, and proposed solutions to the VP of Alaska weekly.

What skills and experience do you need for this job?:

EXPERIENCE

• 10+ Years in Hospitality, Lodging, and Travel: Extensive experience in the hospitality industry with a track record of success in managing and improving lodging, restaurant, and attraction operations.
• Proven Leadership: Demonstrated leadership experience in world-class, market-leading hotels, with a focus on building and leading high-performing teams.
• Operational Excellence: Experience with best-in-class operating systems, training programs, and the management of large, complex hotel properties.
• Financial Acumen: Expertise in managing annual budgets, P&L statements, and capital budget requests, with a strong ability to forecast and manage financial performance.
• Guest Satisfaction: Proficiency with guest satisfaction platforms (e.g., Revinate, TripAdvisor) and the ability to analyze feedback, build actionable plans, and respond to concerns professionally.
• Experience in Remote or Challenging Environments: Understanding the unique challenges of operating in remote or seasonally dependent locations, particularly in Alaska or similar regions.
• Community Engagement: Proven ability to engage with local communities and build strong, positive relationships that benefit both the business and the surrounding area.
• Sustainability Practices: Familiarity with or experience in implementing sustainability initiatives, particularly those that align with the environmental and cultural sensitivities of Alaska.
• Crisis Management: Experience in handling crisis situations, including natural disasters, public relations issues, and operational emergencies, with a calm and effective approach.
• Regulatory Knowledge: Understanding of relevant local, state, and federal regulations, particularly those affecting the hospitality industry in Alaska, such as land use, environmental protections, and labor laws
• Physical Requirements: Ability to walk, lift with assistance, stand, and reach are all daily requirements, with variable weather conditions across all seasons.

CRITICAL SKILLS

• Strategic Thinker: Ability to see the big picture and make decisions that align with both short-term goals and long-term strategic objectives.
• Passion for Alaska: Deep commitment to the state of Alaska and its communities, with a genuine interest in contributing to their growth and sustainability.
• Effective Communicator: Strong communication skills, capable of articulating ideas clearly and listening to others' perspectives.
• Pragmatic Problem-Solver: Able to dive into details when necessary, with a focus on practical solutions that improve operations and address challenges.
• Team-Oriented: Collaborative leader who values input from team members and fosters a culture of mutual respect and support.
• Resilient: Maintains a positive attitude and composure in the face of challenges, setting an example for others to follow.
• Customer-Centric: Strong focus on enhancing the guest experience, understanding that satisfied customers are key to success.
• Financially Savvy: Solid understanding of financial metrics and the ability to manage budgets effectively.
• Adaptable: Comfortable with change and able to adjust strategies and tactics as necessary to meet evolving business needs.

What will your work environment be like?:

Regular travel within the local geography is required, around the state of Alaska. In-state travel occurs mainly during March-Sept. Occasional travel to other Pursuit locations may be required sometimes.  The nature of the position may require work to be performed at nonstandard hours and weekends from time to time. Must possess a valid driver’s license and US Passport.

 

Job Location: this position supports teams and business from Seward to Denali.  Time dedicated across all operations, during all seasons, is required.  Office space is available in Anchorage and Seward.

 

To handle this job successfully, any person hired must be able to perform responsibilities as described. Pursuit will make any reasonable accommodation to help a person with disabilities perform their job.  This job is based in Alaksa and current, legal ability to work in the United States is required.
 

ABOUT PURSUIT

Pursuit is a hospitality and attractions company that connects guests and staff to iconic places through unforgettable and inspiring experiences and strives to become the world’s leading provider of experiential adventure travel.  Pursuit generates revenue and shareholder value as one of two business units operated by Viad, an S&P SmallCap 600 international experiential services company, traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol VVI. 

 

We deliver rich travel experiences to the global market in iconic destinations through its unique hotels and lodges, recreational attractions, ground transportation services, retail, food and beverage, sightseeing, tours and travel products. Today, the company enjoys strong perennial demand with operations in or adjacent to Banff, Jasper and Waterton Lakes National Parks in Canada, and Glacier and Denali National Parks in the United States. In addition, our Flyover Attractions are located in Vancouver BC, Reykjavik Iceland, Las Vegas Nevada and Chicago Illinois, and we have a premier oceanfront geothermal lagoon experience near Reykjavik, Iceland - Sky Lagoon. The company is executing an aggressive growth strategy, expanding into multiple geographies and iconic locations that enjoy perennial visitor demand. 

We are strengthening and improving our culture, our attractions and our operations to deliver these unforgettable guest and staff experiences. We will work hard to refine and execute our strategic plan for the expansion of the business, accelerate profitable revenue growth through strategic capital deployment, drive strong organic growth of our existing businesses, and acquire unique and complementary businesses. We will work tirelessly to build a strong entrepreneurial, fun and rewarding culture for our team members. 

EEO:

Pursuit is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to diversity in the workplace. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, age, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, and other protected characteristics.   
Pursuit places a high value on diverse backgrounds and experiences, recognizing that they serve as catalysts for creativity and innovation. We encourage individuals who are eligible to work in the USA to apply and join our inclusive team  
 
We are working to eliminate barriers for applicants and team members from equity-deserving groups. If you can’t apply online or need accommodation during the application or hiring process, please contact our Talent & Acquisition Team at ta@pursuitcollection.com. 
 
We thank all candidates for their interest; however, please note that only applicants selected for further consideration will be contacted. 

 

#LI-EB1

---