Director, Hotel Operations, Alaska Collection

Job Description

At Pursuit, we offer more than just a place to visit, we create opportunities for our guests to truly connect with iconic destinations. Our experiences include world-class attractions and distinctive lodges, all designed to highlight the unique beauty of each location. Beyond that, we offer thoughtfully crafted restaurants, retail, and transportation services that help our guests immerse themselves fully in the experience. What ties it all together are the friendly faces you’ll find along the way, the thoughtful amenities, and the delightful details that make every visit feel personal and unforgettable.

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.

ROLE & RESPONSIBILITIES

• 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.

REQUIRED SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS

• 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.
• 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.

About Us:

We're more than a hospitality and attractions company. We connect people to iconic places through unforgettable and inspiring experiences; Our team members included.

Thoughtfully united by their unique power to inspire and invigorate, our collection of hotels and lodges, recreational attractions, ground transportation services, retail, food and beverage, sightseeing, tours, and travel products are tied together by iconic, destination-worthy locations in Alaska, Montana, the Canadian Rockies, Vancouver, Reykjavík, Costa Rica, Las Vegas, and Chicago.

Pursuit is a publicly traded company listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol PRSU. As a member of the S&P SmallCap 600 index, we specialize in attractions-led hospitality, consistently generating revenue and delivering value to our shareholders.

What will your work environment be like?

At Pursuit, our locations are more than just a place to work – it’s a space where you can bring your whole self, collaborate with talented teams across departments, and build lasting friendships. We believe in fostering an environment where work and play coexist, so whether you’re tackling projects or enjoying our many perks, you’ll feel supported and valued. With a variety of great benefits, we’re committed to ensuring that your time with us is as fulfilling as it is fun.

Our team shares a passion for adventure and an authentic desire to play host to the world. We are united by our connection to the people and places we’re lucky to call home. Our workforce is diverse. Our team members come here to embrace the extraordinary. To watch the sunrise and set each day in a place that, for many people, exists only in their imagination. To build career experience beside seasoned professionals a community of people who say ‘yes’ to adventure time and time again. To be a part of the #PursuitLife and live each day with purpose, turning moments into memories

PURSUIT PERKS

• Join an inclusive, global team and make life-long connections

• Enjoy free access to Pursuit attractions and 50% off for friends

• Get discounts on hotel stays, dining, and retail

• Access subsidized mental health and wellness resources

Equal Employment Opportunities Information

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 country where the role is located 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 directly.