Auric Road is seeking a highly capable, hands-on Ranch Manager to oversee the day-to-day operation, stewardship, and physical management of the ranch. This individual will play a critical leadership role in maintaining and improving the ranch’s grounds, infrastructure, land, forestry, wildlife, maintenance systems, capital projects, and fire preparedness.
This role works in close partnership with the Director of Hospitality and Ag Manager to ensure the ranch is operating at a high level across both the guest-facing and working ranch / land management sides of the business. Reporting To the Vice President of Hospitality of Auric Road.
The ideal candidate is a strong operator, land steward, problem solver, and field leader who takes pride in keeping a ranch physically beautiful, safe, functional, and well-run. This is not a desk job. The Ranch Manager should be comfortable leading from the front and being deeply involved in the daily operation of the property.
Primary Responsibilities Grounds & Property Oversight
- Oversee the overall condition, functionality, and appearance of the ranch grounds and physical property
- Ensure roads, driveways, trails, gates, fencing, landscaping, irrigation areas, corrals, barns, outbuildings, and exterior spaces are maintained to a high standard
- Lead overall ranch presentation and readiness across all outdoor and common areas
- Develop and execute seasonal property upkeep plans for spring, summer, fall, and winter operations
- Monitor and respond to issues related to drainage, erosion, weeds, snow removal, mud control, storm cleanup, and general land upkeep
Maintenance & Ranch Infrastructure
- Oversee the day-to-day maintenance and physical functionality of ranch buildings, cabins, barns, shops, equipment areas, and utility systems
- Coordinate and prioritize preventative maintenance, repairs, and ranch improvement projects
- Work closely with internal team members and outside vendors to ensure all systems and infrastructure are operating properly
- Help troubleshoot and manage ranch systems including water, pumps, roads, gates, electrical coordination, heating systems, and other physical plant needs
- Ensure the ranch remains organized, functional, and operational always
Forestry, Land Stewardship & Habitat Management
- Lead and coordinate ranch efforts related to forestry management, land stewardship, vegetation control, and long-term property health
- Work alongside consultants, contractors, and leadership on forest health initiatives, thinning projects, deadfall removal, fire fuel reduction, and overall land management strategy
- Help oversee grazing, land use, habitat preservation, and broader property stewardship efforts
- Support long-term planning related to ranch sustainability, land health, and environmental management
Wildlife Management
- Help oversee and coordinate wildlife management efforts across the ranch
- Work in partnership with ownership, consultants, and operational leaders to support healthy wildlife practices, habitat awareness, and land-use planning
- Assist in managing property considerations tied to wildlife movement, fencing, feed areas, predator concerns, hunting access (if applicable), and land preservation
- Support safe and thoughtful coexistence between ranch operations, guests, livestock, and wildlife
Capital Improvements, Projects & Construction Oversight
- Oversee onsite capital improvement projects, property upgrades, ranch infrastructure work, and construction-related efforts
- Coordinate contractors, vendors, schedules, and project execution for ranch-related improvements
- Assist leadership in planning and executing capital expenditures tied to buildings, roads, utilities, barns, grounds, land improvements, and ranch infrastructure
- Help ensure projects are completed on time, on budget, and to expected standards
- Serve as an onsite operational point person for construction and project-related activity
Fire Prevention, Preparedness & Emergency Response
- Lead ranch efforts related to fire prevention, mitigation, preparedness, and first-response coordination
- Help develop and maintain fire readiness plans for the property, including defensible space, vegetation management, emergency access, equipment readiness, and response coordination
- Coordinate with local agencies, contractors, and leadership on wildfire preparedness and fire mitigation strategies
- Take a leadership role in emergency preparedness tied to wildfire, severe weather, utility outages, and ranch emergencies
- Help ensure ranch staff understand protocols, property risks, and emergency procedures
Partnership with Hospitality & Ag Operations
- Work closely with the Director of Hospitality to ensure guest-facing outdoor spaces, cabins, arrival areas, roads, and ranch presentation are always at a high standard
- Work alongside the Ag Manager to support the operational needs of the agricultural and ranching side of the business
- Help bridge the gap between hospitality, ranch operations, land management, and infrastructure
- Support property readiness for owner visits, guest stays, events, seasonal transitions, and special ranch initiatives
Team Leadership & Accountability
- Help lead and oversee ranch grounds, maintenance, and operational support team members as the property evolves
- Build structure, accountability, and consistency around daily, weekly, and seasonal priorities
- Delegate and follow up on tasks while maintaining a hands-on leadership style
- Help recruit, train, and develop team members tied to ranch operations and property upkeep
- Promote a culture of ownership, pride, urgency, safety, and teamwork
Vendor, Contractor & Operational Coordination
- Serve as a key operational contact for outside vendors, repair providers, service partners, and contractors
- Help coordinate work schedules, project scopes, ranch access, and execution of outside services
- Communicate clearly with leadership regarding priorities, timelines, budgets, and operational needs
- Ensure vendors and outside contractors are aligned with ranch expectations and standards
Safety, Compliance & Operational Readiness
- Help maintain a safe and compliant working ranch environment for staff, guests, vendors, and visitors
- Support ranch operational readiness tied to equipment, roads, grounds, emergency systems, and land conditions
- Ensure safety and stewardship are central to the operation of the ranch
- Help identify risk before it becomes a larger operational issue
Qualifications
- 5+ years of experience in ranch operations, estate management, property operations, grounds management, land stewardship, agriculture, forestry, facilities, or a related field
- Strong working knowledge of ranch infrastructure, grounds upkeep, land management, and property operations
- Experience managing vendors, contractors, maintenance priorities, and physical property projects
- Working knowledge of equipment, ranch systems, roads, fencing, water systems, and general property operations preferred
- Familiarity with forestry, fire mitigation, habitat stewardship, or wildlife management strongly preferred
- Strong leadership skills with the ability to manage people while also being highly hands-on
- Excellent organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills
- Comfortable working in a fast-moving, evolving ranch environment where priorities shift and no two days are the same
- Valid driver’s license required
Ideal Candidate
- Hands-on and hardworking
- Operationally sharp
- Mechanically and logistically minded
- Comfortable in both the field and in a leadership role
- Passionate about land stewardship, ranch functionality, and keeping a property running at a high level
- Able to work collaboratively across hospitality, ranching, maintenance, and ownership priorities
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Relocation assistance
- Vision insurance
Experience:
- Ranch Management : 5 years (Required)
Ability to Commute:
- White Sulphur Springs, MT 59645 (Preferred)
Ability to Relocate:
- White Sulphur Springs, MT 59645: Relocate before starting work (Required)
Work Location: In person
